Delphinium Holosteel

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Delphinium nudicaule (lat. Delphinium nudicaule) - one of the brightest representatives of the Delphinium genus of the Buttercup family. Despite its interesting and attractive appearance, the plant is rarely used in culture. Only a few gardeners grow the species in question on their personal backyards and summer cottages, however, only as an annual. In nature, the plant can be found in the mountainous regions of California.

Characteristics of culture

Holosteel delphinium is represented by perennial herbaceous plants reaching a height of 1 m. Also in culture there are specimens about 40-50 cm high. Both are suitable for landscaping various types of flower beds. A distinctive feature of the plant in question is the presence of a tuberous rhizome, the roots of which go far into the soil. The foliage of the holosteel delphinium is not numerous, green, wide, rounded in outline, divided into lobes, located only in the lower part of the stem, which, by the way, bears small, rich red or orange flowers, equipped with a yellow eye and collected in loose paniculate inflorescences.

The inflorescences, in turn, bear no more than 20 flowers, but they look very impressive. What is one color of inflorescences! It is so bright that it attracts the attention of everyone around, even those who are a few meters from the flower bed. Other plants with faded flowers but lush flowers are inferior to the saturation of the species in question. The flowering of the holosteel delphinium is observed in mid-June - mid-July. Usually, flowering is plentiful, although this fact largely depends on climatic conditions and compliance with the rules of care. The only drawback of culture is thermophilicity, it does not tolerate Russian winters. But it is not forbidden to bring the plant into the premises for the winter, and in the spring to send it back to the open ground.

Growing features

Of course, unlike other representatives of the Delphinium genus, the species in question is more demanding in both care and growing conditions. However, this process is subject even to a novice gardener and florist. The site for cultivation is preferable sunny with light shade, heavily shaded ones are not welcome, on them the holosteel delphinium feels defective. Moreover, in the shade, plants are more often affected by pests and diseases, which increases the risk of early death. The position of culture is no less important. It should not be planted in lowlands and in areas where water accumulation is possible.

It should be noted that the holosteel delphinium is a tall crop, accordingly, it needs a garter, otherwise the stems will fall apart under the weight of the panicles, or even worse, they will break from gusts of wind. It is impossible not to touch upon the topic of active growth and abundant flowering, these factors largely depend on the distance between plants, the frequency of watering, the presence of fertilizing and other care actions. By the way, planting too close threatens not only loose panicles, but also frequent diseases that will negatively affect the decorative properties.

Among the diseases to which the holosteal delphinium is susceptible, powdery mildew should be noted. This is a fungal disease that manifests itself as a white bloom on the foliage, which later acquires a brownish color. In the absence of proper attention and untimely measures, plants can die without showing their true beauty and rich shade. Therefore, when the first signs are found, it is necessary to resort to the foundation spraying procedure, and it must be carried out twice with an interval of a week.

And finally, about leaving. In principle, culture care is not difficult. It is enough for moderate and regular watering, two dressings (not counting the spring when preparing the soil, then it is enriched with both mineral fertilizers and organic matter (only rotted)) and frequent loosening that does not allow soil compaction. Actually, holostem weeding is important for the delphinium, because weeds are able to take away most of the moisture and nutrients from cultivated specimens, and without them it will be very difficult for plants.