At best, cut larkspur twice a year

Content

• At best, cut larkspur twice a year
• Cut back larkspur after the summer bloom
  
• Collect seeds
  
• Carry out an autumn cut
  
• What to do with discolored leaves?
  
• Tips & Tricks

A pruning after flowering stimulates the delphinium to a second bloom

At best, cut larkspur twice a year

The larkspur, which usually blooms in strong blue, violet or white tones and is already glorious from afar, is a very popular plant. Delphinium, as the gardener calls the larkspur, actually blooms in the summer months and then forms numerous seeds in its bellows. However, a targeted pruning allows the plant to stimulate a second flowering in autumn.

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Cut back larkspur after the summer bloom

For a beautiful autumn bloom, you should immediately cut back the withered flower spikes of the Delphinium in the summer. However, you must not cut too deeply, otherwise the plant will not expel. As a guideline, a section above the leaves at a height of 20 to 30 centimeters above the ground is usually indicated. For the cut, use a clean and sharp knife or pruning shears.

Collect seeds

If you do not make this cut, the plant develops up to three small follicles per flower from which you can then harvest the seeds in the fall. This procedure is recommended if it concerns only one to two-year-old delphiniums (which usually do not bloom a second time) or if they want to multiply perennial specimens.

Carry out an autumn cut

If you have done the summer cut and the larkspur shows its flowers in autumn, so they wait with the last fall cut to the flowering of the late flowers. This may not be the case until November, depending on when the second flowering occurred. Cut Delphinium back to just above the ground in autumn, the plant retreats into its rhizomes for the winter anyway. The above-ground parts of plants die off and only give unwanted pathogens a gateway.

What to do with discolored leaves?

For certain signs of illness, you should act immediately and cut back and dispose of infected parts of the plant immediately. This is the case when

In all cases, the delphinium is infested with highly contagious fungal and bacterial diseases, which must be contained immediately. Otherwise, further infections, including from neighboring plants, may threaten. Never place infected parts of plants on compost, but dispose of them with household waste.

Tips & Tricks

Cutting should be carried out on all plants as far as possible on cloudy, mild days. This measure prevents dehydration and also makes patients less stressed.