Saving Delphinium seeds

Hi, last year I purchased 4 Delphinium plug plants from eBay, Blue Nile



Three of them flowered dark blue

The fourth Blue Nile is a much paler blue and the one that I would like seeds from

Is it possible to save seeds that may germinate as the pale blue variety ?
The third stem was covered with a gauze material before the flowers opened, then I tried to pollinate using a small soft brush

the gauze idea being to keep bees and other insects away
Does anyone have similar experience ?

 

The truth is I dont know, but you will perhaps get mixed results as the parentage of the plant is unknown.
I think its usual to take cuttings of Delphiniums in spring when new growth appears, its the only sure way of getting a new plant that is exactly the same as the parent.

Its not a plant I've grown much so maybe others will have better advice.

 

@Cordy,..there are a few options,..you can save seeds and hope they will produce the plant you want,..or a more sure way is by division,..or what i tend to do which is when the plant has finished blooming,..cut it down to the soil and when the new growth starts which will be this Summer,.. you can take cuttings of approx 15 cm high or a bit either way,..sow them in pots and leave them outside.

 

Hi Cordy. There are some 250 different Delphiniums, and this has caused the experts to seperate them and place them in groups. I find it sad that here in the UK, we only seem to see the Nile groups and the similar heavy spiked ones. Nevertheless they are grand plants.

I'd be inclined to save whatever seeds you can. If you are becoming serious about the plants, might I suggest you label the rootstock of each and keep a good record. I don't know. Perhaps the darker blues you have may also be of the Nile group.

Propagation via cuttings is always a more positive method. Root division is also a positive, however the root system varies with delphiniums. Some are fiberous and some set tubers, your resaeach will help you. Best wishes.

 

Thanks for all the replies and advice.

I will persevere with the gauze idea and take cuttings from the pale blue Delphinium later in the year

 

Nice 4mm thick basal cuttings in spring is best.