Dahlias (Dahlia) are perennial flowering plants from the Asteraceae family. Many types of flowers are popular and are often grown in the garden. Dahlia varieties have a varied range of shades. The shape of the open cups differs at peak growth. The culture is characterized by long flowering. As a rule, most varieties begin to bloom in July. The variegated dahlia heads sit on the bushes almost until the frost.
The perennial was introduced to Europe at the end of the 18th century, and sunny Mexico is considered the birthplace of the flower. The culture received its botanical name thanks to the famous scientist K. Wildenau. There are about 13 types of dahlias. There are also about 15 thousand varietal specimens that have incredible color and petal shape.
Features of growing dahlias
There are dahlias of various colors. Both compact annual flowers and terry giant species are planted on the flower bed. Planting is organized in groups or the flower is used in single compositions. The main advantage of dahlias is their unpretentiousness to growing conditions. Breeding at home is allowed. For street varieties, the optimal site is chosen where the plant will fully grow. Attention is paid to the ground and lighting. Dahlia tubers are used as planting material, which are buried in the soil in April or May. The tubers should have a firm surface, free from dents and signs of rot. Another condition is the presence of short shoots. A healthy plant will not grow from a softened or, conversely, too dry tuber.
Growing dahlia from seeds
Before you start growing dahlias, you should know that the flower needs special care. For beginners, this process may seem time consuming and complicated.
In late autumn, when all vegetative processes are completed on the bushes, they begin to dig up the tubers. To use them as seed, it is necessary to ensure proper storage of the dahlia tubers. In addition to the underground parts, ordinary seeds are used for growing.
Annual varieties look very impressive. It is easy to buy seeds of all varieties at the gardening store, for example, Coltness Hybrids, which is characterized by abundant flowering and has a shoot length of up to 0.5 m, as well as the Redskin variety with beautiful golden foliage. Those wishing to get a bush with double flowers should give preference to Rigoletto. In order for the garden to acquire bright colors in early spring, the Figaro dahlia is planted. Store-bought bag seeds are best sown outdoors in late spring when the weather is warm. Since the sowing will be done quite late, the bushes will bloom only closer to August.To change the flowering period of annual varieties, dahlias are grown in seedlings.
The seeds are germinated before immersion in the soil. Take a suitable container and fill it with calcined sand. Having leveled the surface, shake out the seeds with a thin layer, sprinkle with sand on top. The prepared crops are sprayed with water and covered with a transparent film.
It takes almost 10 days to germinate dahlia seeds. In an organized mini-greenhouse, the temperature is maintained at 25-27 degrees. When the sprouts begin to hatch above the surface, the plants dive into different containers, where loose nutrient soil is poured.
The substrate for dahlias is selected with good moisture-absorbing properties. It is prepared by hand or purchased in specialized stores. To mix the substrate yourself, take 2 parts of leafy soil, 1 part of sand and the same amount of peat. Plants dive into the soil previously treated with hot potassium permanganate solution. The solution should be dark pink. Divided seedlings are watered as needed when a dried crust is noticed on the substrate. Seedlings are transferred to the site after approximately May 10-15.
Planting dahlias in open ground
Seat selection
Planting dahlias in open ground is carried out only when the plants are a little stronger and grow up. The place is chosen with great care. The flower is extremely categorical about drafts. It is possible to ensure optimal growth and development of dahlias only in a sunny area protected from the wind. The future flower bed is protected from the scorching rays.
An important requirement for the soil is air and moisture permeability, the availability of necessary nutrients and decent drainage. Acidity indicators are allowed to be neglected. It is desirable that the soil has a neutral or slightly acidic environment. If the soil is too acidic on the site, add a handful of slaked lime. At a pH above 8.5, the substrate is mixed with peat.
Autumn weeding and collection of dahlia tubers can be combined with soil fertilization. The flowerbed is enriched with compost. The consumption of organic matter is from 3 to 5 kg per 1 m2... In the spring, before planting dahlias, sprinkle the ground with a small amount of wood ash and mature compost. With the help of a rake, the top dressing is hidden in the inner layers of the soil.
In order to prevent diseases and renew the culture, it is recommended to organize the planting of dahlias in a new place every subsequent year, so that the old flower bed will have a rest from plants for at least 3 years. Dahlias cannot be planted in already used soil if there were previously roots and tubers of any other flowers that were susceptible to fungal infection.
Preparing tubers for planting
Tubers begin to be prepared in mid-spring. After carefully examining the surface, remove dried lifeless roots and cut out deformed or rotten areas. They are treated with brilliant green, then transferred to a peat pot. Instead of peat, it is allowed to use ordinary fertile soil. The apex is not completely covered up. It is important that a bump of 2-3 cm rises above the ground.
For several weeks, the pot is moved to a bright and warm place, where the air temperature will not drop below 18 degrees. When the buds appear, the tubers are divided in parts. It must be remembered that delenki without a root collar are not capable of sprouting. Often one "potato" can be cut into 5 pieces.
Delenki are re-immersed in the soil and continue to grow, while removing long side shoots. And only after that they are planted on the site. Cut shoots are used in the form of cuttings, which are buried in the soil and removed to a dark place. Cuttings are regularly watered. When the roots are formed, the plant is calmly transferred to the garden.
Cutting and planting tubers are the main ways to grow dahlias outdoors. If there is enough seed in excess, then the division of the tubers can be omitted.In any case, the breeding methods described above are considered successful and effective as they help to preserve annual varieties for cultivation in the next year.
Features of planting dahlias
Planting dahlias is carried out only after the spring warmth reigns outside the window and the ground warms up. As a rule, this period falls on the second half of May or early summer. The hole is dug out of a large size so that the largest tuber with all root layers is hidden in it. A free zone of at least 5-7 cm is left on top.
Rotted manure or compost is laid out at the bottom of the hole. Organic matter is alternated with the ground so that the roots do not come into contact with the manure, otherwise you can cause burns to the root system. A sprouted tuber is placed in the center of the hole. Poured around the ground. The top of the stem should stick out above the surface.
If tall species of dahlia are planted, they try to immediately establish a reliable support near the plant. Finish the event with abundant watering with cold water from a hose. The plot is mulched with sawdust or crushed tree bark, mixing the mulch with compost or peat in advance. The maximum layer height is 5 cm.
Dahlia Garden Care
Watering
Mulching the soil helps protect the flower bed from rapid evaporation of moisture and slug attacks. In addition, a mulched area is less likely to need weeding and loosening. For dahlias, abundant watering is organized 1-2 times a week, with the exception of cloudy days. It is important to ensure that the substrate remains slightly damp, but not waterlogged. Otherwise, the area with flowers runs the risk of being infected with rot.
If you huddle bushes during periods of drought and extreme heat, you will be able to reduce the frequency of watering. Before adding water, the tilled soil is gently raked to the side, and when the soil is saturated with moisture, the substrate is returned to its original place.
Top dressing
During the intensive growing season, the dahlia should be fed at least twice a month. Compositions of both mineral and organic origin are used. Top dressing alternate with each other.
Mullein infusion or dissolved bird droppings are excellent organic fertilizer for dahlias. Ammonium nitrate has an equally effective effect on plant development. Substance consumption is 15 g per 1 m2... When the first buds are activated on the stems, superphosphate and potassium fertilizers are added to the substrate. About 30 g of fertilizer are taken in a bucket of water. The solution should be enough for 8 plantings.
Garter of flowers
Hollow stems of dahlias are very fragile and break easily in strong gusts of wind. To prevent the bushes from being damaged in bad weather, the stems are tied to strong posts or a fence. If it was not possible to avoid damage, a tire is applied to the damaged area. You need a sturdy branch to hold the stem in place. It is fixed in such a way that the deformed part of the bush does not bend over. If help is provided to the bush in a timely manner, the damaged stem in the future can give wonderful flowers.
Pruning
To make dahlia inflorescences look larger and more accurate, you need to regularly prune. In the fall, when the flowering phase ends, only 3 healthy stems are left, and the remaining shoots are completely cut out. Thanks to this care, the flowers will look much more attractive next year.
On the peduncles, pinch off the extra buds. Withered inflorescences are pruned so that they do not take strength from the bush. During the summer, dahlia varieties, which belong to tall specimens, are also subject to pruning. These are lateral shoots that are cut and then used for propagation by cuttings. Cactus, pompom and other small varieties growing alone can do without pruning. If there is no special time to take care of the flower, it is allowed to leave the lateral shoots in these species.
Pests
Slugs often settle on the stalks of dahlia.The buds attract earwigs, or two-tails, which are dangerous omnivorous insects. For medicinal purposes, the diseased plant is weekly treated with an infusion of celandine or wormwood. The bushes are sprayed in the evening.
On hot days, the ground parts are sprayed with insecticides to get rid of aphids, caterpillars, thrips and ticks. Compared to other insects, aphids attack dahlias most often. A soap solution, which is prepared from shavings of laundry soap, helps to fight aphids. Such a folk remedy is considered to be no less effective than harsh chemicals.
Collection of dahlia tubers
Dug up tubers immediately after the arrival of the first frost. Having shaken off the surface of the adhering earth, cut off the leaves, shoulder straps, shorten the shoots, leaving segments up to 10 cm long. Some gardeners recommend first cutting off the tops of the stems, and only then harvesting tubers from the site. Liquid entering the cut can lead to stem rot. Therefore, the prepared planting material is wrapped in aluminum foil. Dahlia tubers have very fragile necks. In this regard, experienced gardeners start harvesting in the early morning, when the weather is dry and sunny. Towards evening, the neck gradually dries up, the skin becomes stronger. In the dried state, the remains of the earth are shaken off the surface much more easily.
It is necessary to get tubers out of the soil according to certain rules so as not to damage future planting material. The bush is dug in from different sides, retreating from the central stem at a distance of 30 cm.Therefore, it will be more convenient to trim long roots. With a pitchfork, they gently prick an earthen lump, and then push the soil up. They rake off excess soil and lay out the tubers in such a way that they do not come into contact with each other and dry out faster. The "potatoes" extracted from the soil are washed under a hose with running water to wash out pathogenic bacteria.
Dried dahlia tubers are stored in a cool place. Keeping boxes next to batteries is a mistake. Because, unexpectedly feeling warmth, dormant kidneys run the risk of waking up earlier and dying.
How to store dahlias in winter
Well-dried tubers are selected for storing dahlias in winter. Mold can form on damp material. However, overdrying is also dangerous. If the surface is too dry, weak shoots will hatch with the arrival of spring heat. Any damaged and rotten areas are cut off and the cuts are sprinkled with charcoal. To preserve the root collars, the tops are treated with chalk or ash.
Dahlia tubers are stored in a well-ventilated area, where the humidity level ranges from 60-70%. The air temperature should be within 3-5 degrees. A dry basement is the best storage space. However, if you keep vegetables nearby, the humidity inside the room will quickly rise. In this case, the likelihood of the formation of a fungus will increase several times.
It is advisable to place the material in a wooden box, after sprinkling some peat on the bottom. Top up with sand or sawdust from coniferous trees. If it becomes noticeable that the surface is slowly covered with folds, wrinkles and dries up, the substrate is moderately moisturized. The unvented basement is ventilated a couple of times a week.
Dahlia tubers can be stored in the winter even in the apartment. For this, the coldest place is chosen. Having poured the tubers into the box, the container is pushed closer to the balcony. Plastic bags are used instead of boxes. They are filled with sand or sawdust. Or they wrap the "potatoes" in newspaper, put them in a bag or cardboard box. If the temperature is too low, the planting material runs the risk of freezing.
In stuffy rooms with high humidity, it is much more difficult to ensure proper storage of dahlias. To protect the tubers, they are covered with paraffin. Pure "potatoes" are immersed for a moment in paraffin dissolved in a water bath.After waiting for the liquid to drain to the end, the processed dahlia material is transferred to cellophane bags containing sawdust or sand, and tied tightly.
While wintering is in progress, the planting material is regularly examined. With the initial traces of rot, the damaged area is removed and the slices are sprinkled with charcoal or moistened with brilliant green.
Popular varieties of dahlia with photos and descriptions
Dahlias are classified according to the appearance of the calyx. The plant is divided into 12 classes. As breeding improves, new varieties of dahlia are discovered. Consider in detail the flowers that have already gained popularity among many flower growers:
Simple
They contain only one petal row. The blossoming flower does not exceed 10 cm. Bushes lengthen by 60 cm. Simple types include such varieties as Princess Marie Jose with pink buds, Yellow Hammer with yellow buds and Orangeade, which decorates flower beds with fiery red heads.
Anemone
Either one or several rows of petals predominate, which extend into a tubular or elongated shape. The inflorescences are 10 cm wide, the shoots reach 60-90 cm. Of the main varieties, the yellowish Lucy, Vera Higgins with bronze inflorescences and Come deserve attention. The last variety stands out with red buds.
Collar
The maximum diameter of the open cups is 10 cm. The height of the bushes is up to 120 cm. In addition to the outer chain of petals, there is also an upper row, consisting of shortened closely pressed petals of a different color. The following collared varieties have gained popularity: the golden-red La Gioconda, the beige-red Chimborazo and the Claire de Luna with a lemon shade.
Peony
The size of the buds is approximately 15 cm. The petals sit in two rows. Tubular petals protrude in the center. Bushes grow from 75 to 120 cm in length. The varietal variety is more scarce than that of other species. Symphonia and Fascination varieties are widespread.
Decorative
The width of double flowers is 8-25 cm. The longest shoots reach 60 cm. Planted in flower beds: David Howard - a short bright orange bush, Thames Valley - a representative of yellow dahlias, Jocondo - a specimen with purple cups.
Spherical
The diameter of the round slightly flattened terry buds does not exceed 15 cm, and the height of the bush is 120 cm. Crichton Honey has gained popularity - a spectacular bush with fiery red buds, scarlet Doreen Hayes and lemon Esmonde.
Pompom
Pompom dahlia bushes are adorned with five centimeter buds that contain tubular petals with rounded or blunt ends. The length of adult plants is within a meter. Popular among gardeners are the pale purple Hallmark, the lavender Willo's Violet, and the pink Noreen.
Cactus
Terry flowers grow from 8 to 25 cm wide. The bushes rise 90-150 cm above the ground. The petals are narrow and pointed. The main varieties include the tall, erect, red-capped Visit, the giant pink Danny, the dwarf yellow Pirouette, and the medium-sized reddish Doris Day.
Semi-cactus
In this type of dahlia, the diameter of the flowers is about 8-25 cm. Under favorable conditions, the bushes grow up to 1.5 m. Thin marginal petals roll up from the middle to the ends. The most famous cultivars are: miniature yellowish Yellow Mood, white White Swallow and yellow Nantenan. The flowers look much larger. Autumn Fire is distinguished by its medium-sized orange double buds.
Nymphae
Lush, regular inflorescences of nymphaean species outwardly resemble graceful heads of water lilies. The diameter of the flowers ranges from 7-20 cm. The bushes lengthen up to 1.3 m. For cultivation in the garden, the following varieties are used: pinkish Henry Hawk, snow-white Genette and purple Brushstrokes.
Mixed
Mixed varieties of dahlias are unlike those previously described. They are also called hybrid, since the plants have collected the characteristics of several species at once. We are talking about the variety of shapes of inflorescences and a wide range of shades of petals.In the open field, there are black and black-red dahlias. The reason for the appearance of a catchy color lies in the presence of certain pigments, namely, anthocyanins. Many breeders from all over the world are trying to grow a blue dahlia, but so far their idea has not come true.
