Delphinium: preparation for winter, when and whether to prune, how to cover and save

The unusual placement of flowers on the stem and the bright color of the delphinium can give the garden a unique charm. The plant pleases with a large number of varieties that are unpretentious in care. To make a garden flower pleasing to the eye next season, you need to know the nuances of preparing a delphinium for winter.

What delphiniums can be planted before winter?

In order to achieve early flowering of the plant and at the same time not mess with seedlings, experienced gardeners advise paying attention to planting before winter. The procedure in this case is carried out after the freezing of the soil. For winter planting, any varieties of delphinium are selected.

Seeds are sown in the ground at the end of autumn. Some experts single out the beginning of October. Others confirm the good germination of seeds planted in November. When practicing the option of sowing seeds before winter, it is recommended to use 25% more planting material.

Do I need to trim the delphinium for the winter?

The plant has high winter hardiness and is able to survive frosts from -40 to -45 degrees. Pruning is discarded if the plant hibernates under a thick layer of snow. In the conditions of modern winters in the Moscow region, rains more often “please” residents than snowfalls.

During the cold season, gardeners face two problems - damping off and rotting. Based on this, they conclude that the delphinium must be pruned for the winter. Such a process cannot be left to chance.

Reason why flowers can not endure winter well

After winter, a person may find that his pet is missing. Under the force of various factors, the delphinium dies. There are several reasons why a flower does not tolerate winter.

Wrong climate

Delphinium, as mentioned earlier, tolerates even the most extreme temperatures under cover of snow. A person who decides to grow a flower must take into account the climatic features of the southern regions. In winter, the weather often changes, and the temperature fluctuations are very sharp. Whether the delphinium will survive the coldest season depends on the plant variety.

When buying a variety of delphinium, people often do not pay attention to the recommendations that are indicated on the package. For each region, certain categories of plants are derived. Inattention on the part of a person can cause disappointment in the delphinium. Therefore, people often refuse to grow it.

Dampness

The flower is afraid of high humidity, especially if it happens in winter. Waterlogging leads to rotting of the roots and death of the plant. To avoid such a fate, the delphinium is planted on a hill with good drainage.

So that the moisture goes deep into the earth and does not stagnate in the area of \u200b\u200bthe roots, at the time of planting, the hole is half covered with sand. Other material can also be used as drainage. Some gardeners prefer small stones.

Incorrect cropping

Inexperienced gardeners carry out improper removal of shoots. Wanting to get a re-bloom, they cut off the greens at the root immediately after the flowers wither. The manipulation carried out negatively affects the plant, weakening it. As a result, bushes die in winter.

You can promote re-blooming and help the delphinium endure the winter by trimming the inflorescence above the top leaf. The procedure is also carried out just before the cold weather. Unfortunately, a lot of mistakes are made again during trimming.

After leaving the stems at a height of 15-30 cm from the soil surface. From above, the tips are covered with clay. To prevent water from getting inside, it is enough to break the stems, leaving them bent.

When to prune the delphinium in autumn?

Timing time depends on the flowering period of the variety. May vary from 1 to 2 weeks. On average, the procedure falls at the end of September.

By this time, the warm weather outside has changed to a steady cold. The pruning procedure is carried out in the morning. It is better to choose a day without precipitation.

Other gardeners advise against pruning. Old shoots are easily removed in the spring. If desired, a person can try two methods.

How to prepare the delphinium for winter?

Opinions of gardeners about winter hardiness differ. Some believe that delphiniums do not need careful preparation for wintering.Others argue that the plant is so whimsical and tender that it can die if a person takes care of it on its own. The flower is represented by different varieties that have certain biological characteristics.

Annuals

The varieties included in this group are unpretentious. You can observe their growth not only in the southern, but also in the northern regions. To have flowers in the garden year after year, you will have to try.

In September, the seeds are harvested and stored until spring, when it is time to plant. Winter landing is also allowed. Sowing is recommended to be done in a permanent place with good illumination. Planting material is placed in the ground to a depth of 4-5 mm.

Perennial

After the flowering of the delphinium, gardeners take care of it. Winterization starts in autumn:

1. The stems are being cut. The height of the left shoots does not exceed 30 cm above the soil surface.
2. Dry leaves around the plant are collected and burned. Weeds are also destroyed.
3. After cleaning the territory, they move on to loosening the earth.
4. The stakes to which the flowers were tied are taken from the site.
5. Preparing stems for wintering. To do this, follow the standard scheme using clay. If necessary, the plant is covered.

Sometimes a flower needs care even in the cold season. As a rule, pay attention to watering. Saturation with moisture continues until the onset of frost. Frequent and regular watering helps the delphinium to successfully survive the winter.

Marfin hybrids

Varieties were bred by breeders from the Moscow region. In no way inferior to foreign hybrids. Growing in the northern and central regions of the country does without shelter.

Varieties from the Belladonna group

Representatives are also winter hardy. Do not require additional shelter in the presence of snow cover.

Pacific and New Zealand varieties

Take root in the southern regions. They do not tolerate cold, as they were bred in a subtropical climate. In the Moscow region, they endure winter cold, provided that they are covered with spruce branches. After the first flowering, the plant dies.

Methods of storage

With the onset of winter, gardeners are considering 2 options for preparing the delphinium for winter:

• cropping;
• using cover.

In the first case, the stems are cut off, and the edges are covered with clay. The root area is sprinkled with mulch. The option is more suitable for snowy winters.

The second method of preservation also involves cutting the stems and processing them with clay. In order for the plant not to die, use additional shelter. Most often choose coniferous branches. This approach will save the delphinium in a wet winter.

Nuances of conservation

The correct procedure for preparing a delphinium for wintering will protect it from the threat of developing diseases. Many gardeners prune at the wrong time. As a rule, they forget to do it on time and delay the procedure. This will not only affect the ability of the plant to endure the winter, but also prevent the full development of the kidneys.

Experts do not advise stimulating the formation of kidneys in the autumn. They also recommend abandoning the idea of re-blooming before winter. Delphinium stems are pruned with the onset of stable cold weather.

If the flowers were planted in the spring, they continue to develop until the onset of cold weather. In late autumn, they may be in the budding stage. In this case, it is not clear to a person whether they are ready for wintering or not.

If the plant is young, as a rule, by late autumn, the process of bud formation has time to occur. New flowers tolerate winters better, unlike representatives that have been growing in the garden for a long time. This is because they are less susceptible to root rot.

In regions with warm winters, people are ready for frequent thaws. Knowing the temperature regime, they carefully prepare the plants for wintering. A canopy or something similar to a hut is being built over the landing. Thus, the delphinium is protected from excess moisture and frequent gusts of wind.

Insulation material

If new plants are planted in the spring, they need extra shelter. Straw will help to save from frost and a lot of snow. It is an excellent alternative to coniferous branches.

It is not recommended to use peat or leaves to cover the delphinium. They are able to retain moisture. In turn, this leads to the development of the fungus and the diseases that are associated with it. Excess moisture attracts slugs and various pests.

After the snow melts, in early spring, the delphinium wakes up and is ready to grow. At the same time, night frosts are not a hindrance. There are times when the plant is weakly rooted. Thus, it is deepened so that the kidneys are not damaged.

Delphinium is a beautiful and unusual plant. Its growth and full development depends on the conditions that will be created by man. Neglect of simple rules leads to the fact that the plant dies. This issue is especially relevant in the winter season. A little diligence and attention of gardeners, and the delphinium will thank you with abundant flowering, decorate flower beds throughout the summer.

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