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Delphinium bicolor

Little Larkspur · Low Larkspur

Family RanunculaceaeGenus Delphinium

Deep violet-blue flowers with spreading sepals, a pale center and a straight backward spur, against a blue sky
FlowerUnknown authorUnknown authorPublic domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Flower
Dark blueFlora of North America

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Flora of North America — Flora of North America Editorial Committee.

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 15, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    3 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 84 days.

75% germination in 56–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Delphinium p. 130Public domain
Show the original text
Delphinium (Ranunculaceae). . This genus is composed of a group of medium heigth monocarpic species typified by D. bicolor germ. best with seed DS 6 m at 40 in 40(75% in 8-12 w)-70(3% in one d). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. nearly as well as shown by 40(31% in 8-12 w)- 70(37% in one d). •Both of these DS seeds gave zero germination when sown at 70, a fatal treatment. With fresh seed germination dropped to 27% when sown at either 40 or 70 and extended over four cycles occurring mainly in the 4th cycle.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Delphinium p. 130. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    31 germinated in this phase.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

37% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Delphinium p. 130Public domain
Show the original text
Delphinium (Ranunculaceae). . This genus is composed of a group of medium heigth monocarpic species typified by D. bicolor germ. best with seed DS 6 m at 40 in 40(75% in 8-12 w)-70(3% in one d). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. nearly as well as shown by 40(31% in 8-12 w)- 70(37% in one d). •Both of these DS seeds gave zero germination when sown at 70, a fatal treatment. With fresh seed germination dropped to 27% when sown at either 40 or 70 and extended over four cycles occurring mainly in the 4th cycle.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Delphinium p. 130. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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