Question
QUESTION: Hi Tom,

Thought I'd have a go at growing some delphiniums but haven't a clue where to begin.

It's now early July and the delphinium in the garden has finished flowering and has many seed pods. I opened one and found tiny white seeds inside. I've taken off some of the pods but haven't opened them yet. Can I just open them and sow the seeds now or should I wait a while

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Phil

ANSWER: Hi Phil,
Thanx for your question.  I do not recommend planting delphinium seeds now.  Start the seeds next season about 8 weeks before the last frost.  Here is a link that shows what the seeds look like.

http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2007/02/11/ladygardener1/4b7b68.jpg

Store the seeds in an airtight glass or plastic bag.  Store in a dark, cool place.  Start your seeds in February or March.  Plant about 1/4 inch deep in moist but not soggy soil.  Grow under lights.  Plant to separate cells when they are of a size they can be handled easily.  After the last frost, place the seedlings outdoors in a protected place, out of direct sun for about 10 days and then plant in full sun and protected from wind.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom,

Thanks for the reply. As I said, I pulled some of the pods off. Looking at that link which shows what the seeds should look like, they seem almost black.  Do the seeds have to mature ? and will they, even if the pods have been removed from the plant ?

Phil

Answer
Hi Phil,
Thanx for your follow up.  Some of the seeds may be gray or whitish and still be okay.  If the pod was dry (brownish/straw-colored) the seeds were most likely quite ripe.  Mostly, they appear black.  Their may be a viability issue and perhaps they are sterile or this may be the color for this particular cultivar or variety.  Pull several more ripe pods and see what you get.  Then...plant them and let Mother Nature take her course.  It won't hurt to try.  Right?  

Seeds must be ripe in order to germinate or they will lack an embryo or an embryo that is viable.  If pods are removed while still green or unripe, the chances fall sharply, that any of the seed has had the time to mature.

I hope this helps.
Tom