Planting and leaving. Perennial dahlias: varieties, planting and flower care

Dahlias are perennial beautiful unpretentious flowers. Probably no garden plot is complete without a flower bed with these beautiful flowers. For me personally, perennial dahlias evoke more emotions than roses, which are the favorite flowers of many.

More than 15,000 varieties of various colors, inflorescence shapes and other characteristics have been bred. Some varieties differ in the size of flowers, which can reach more than 20 cm in diameter. Flowering bushes cause only admiration and positive emotions.

Perennial dahlia varieties

• Non-Terry - Cheerful Guys (most often grown as annual dahlias)
• Stunted - Princesse Laetitia (pale pink), Melody Allegro (hot pink with a yellow heart), Cezanne (yellow)
• Anemonic - Baywatch (orange with a brown center), Inca (bright red), Honey (light yellow)
• Collar - Grand Duke (red with pale yellow petal tips)
• Peony - Eternal Flame (bright red), Faye and Ice (red-white)
• Decorative - Yellow Happiness (bright yellow), Nonette (creamy orange)
• Pom-poms - Rotbal (dark red), Goldgarbi (lemon), Everest (orange-red), Ankres (white)
• Cactus - Jane (hot pink)
• Semi-cactus - Tropic San (salmon)

Planting a perennial dahlia

Perennial dahlias prefer sunny locations, sheltered from the wind. Flowers grow well on almost any soil, but loamy and sandy loam soils are still the best. It should be borne in mind that perennial dahlias will not grow in wetlands. Before planting, in April-May, flower tubers need to be prepared - cleaned of dried roots, planted in boxes with any substrate that retains moisture, except sand. Then, the boxes are left in a well-lit room with a constant air temperature of 18-22 degrees. After 10 days, after sprouting, the tubers can be divided. The division of tubers must be done sharp knife, carefully, being careful not to damage the roots. Kidneys should remain on each separated part. Parts of the tuber are planted again in boxes, until planting in open ground. You can immediately plant the tubers in open ground, but then the flowers will sprout and begin to bloom later. To plant flowers, dig holes about a shovel's bayonet depth. Then, one shovel of compost or humus is added to the hole. The tubers are carefully placed in the hole and sprinkled with earth. To avoid decay, the root collar should not be deeply buried during planting. After planting, perennial dahlias need to be watered every day for a week, then watering can be reduced. The main thing is to ensure that the soil is always moist, but waterlogging should be avoided, otherwise the tubers will begin to rot. In addition, from too frequent watering, the tubers are saturated with moisture and do not tolerate wintering well.

Care

Perennial dahlias do not require special care, but for abundant flowering and normal growth, optimal conditions must be ensured. Perennial dahlias need watering, especially on dry, hot days. When the plants grow up, they can be huddled to a height of 15 cm, tied up. In this case, the support must be stable. Periodically, perennial dahlias need to be fed, but it is better not to use nitrogen fertilizers, because such feeding promotes foliage growth, and flowering worsens. After watering or past rains, the soil under the flowers must be loosened. Dead buds and weeds should be removed in a timely manner. In large-flowered varieties of perennial dahlias, all side shoots can be removed, then the inflorescences will be larger. If the main shoots are pinched over the fourth pair of leaves, then the number of inflorescences can be increased. Formative pruning can be done to obtain a lush bush and large inflorescences. However, dwarf, pompom, collar flowers do not form. In total, perennial dahlias bloom for about three months.

Reproduction

Perennial dahlias are propagated by cuttings, seeds, in some cases even by grafting. Sowing seeds is carried out around April. Seedlings will appear on the 10th day, and after about 12 days, the seedlings can be dived into separate pots. Seeds can be sown directly into open ground around May, but seedlings will be more reliable. Perennial seed-grown dahlias begin to bloom in early August. Seeds are most often propagated by flowers that are used as annual border and dwarf varieties.

For cuttings, the tubers must be planted in a nutritious soil and placed in a warm place. Cuttings are usually carried out in January. After the sprouts appear, you need to separate the strongest from the flower tuber, with a small heel for quick engraftment. Cuttings of flowers are planted in boxes with a substrate. At first, cuttings need to be protected from direct sun rays and spray periodically. Perennial dahlias, grown as a result of cuttings, begin their flowering not much later than those grown by seedlings.

The easiest way is to grow perennial dahlias from tubers. If you decide to buy perennial dahlia tubers, then pay attention to their condition, to the presence of eyes at the root of the tubers. Healthy perennial dahlia tubers should be firm and smooth.

Preparing for the winter

Despite the fact that perennial dahlias have adapted well to sudden changes in temperature, the cold still damages the flowers. The ground part does not recover after frosts, but the tubers continue to live. Perennial dahlias do not tolerate frost, therefore, for the winter, the tubers of flowers are dug up and stored throughout the winter in a cool room, most often in the basement. You need to dig up the tubers before the onset of the first frost, on a dry day. You can determine the time for digging out by the leaves of the plant, which are damaged and droop from the cold. The stems of perennial dahlias are cut to a height of about 20 cm from the base, then the ground around the bush must be dug up without damaging the tubers. Then the tubers are carefully removed from the ground, diseased tubers should be immediately removed and destroyed. Healthy tubers, some growers are washed with water, but you don't need to wash it and you don't need to clean it from the ground either. Next, the dried root tubers are placed in boxes and sprinkled with wood ash or sawdust. Tubers of perennial dahlias in boxes are cleaned in a cool room with low humidity and an air temperature of 5-7 degrees. Perennial dahlias can be stored in the house, only for this you need to ensure that the air temperature is not higher than 20 degrees. At the same time, the tubers of flowers are sprinkled with earth, and the box is tightly covered with paper. The room should be well ventilated, and the tubers will need to be checked once a month for timely detection of their diseases.

In general, some forms of low-growing flowers can be transplanted into a pot in the fall and admire the flowering at home all winter.

Diseases and pests

Perennial dahlias are most often susceptible to viral diseases such as viral mosaic, ring spot. In addition, they can suffer from powdery mildew, white rot, fusarium wilting, black leg, dry root rot. Aphids act as pests.

Perennial dahlias in photographs

Dahlia tubers storage problems

Dahlias - perennial plants, rather gentle and thermophilic. At the first autumn frosts, their leaves and stems turn black and die off.
During the growth period, dahlias form large fleshy tubers, where they store water and nutrients. High-quality, well-ripened tubers and a good storage location for dahlias are prerequisites for successful winter dormancy of plants.

This is a "sick" topic for many dahlia lovers: what is the best ...
Florists practice. But still, sometimes the unexpected happens. It happens that in severe frosts, dahlia tubers freeze slightly in the basement. Or spoiled the tubers during storage. But you never know what can happen in the off-season - after all, not everyone has a reliable basement next to their home. Many gardeners keep in the country the harvested crop, and dahlias dug out, and a variety of thermophilic ...

In the spring, seeing the failure of their hopes to decorate the site with their favorite dahlias, gardeners are simply in a panic - what to do?
But don't panic. Especially now, when there is such an abundance of varieties of various annual dahlia that can be grown easily and quickly from seed.

At first, I did not believe that this was a plant grown from seeds when I saw a huge, spreading dahlia at my friend's site. The bush is at least a meter high, covered with many flowers - not at all small, about 10 cm in diameter. It turned out that this gorgeous bush was really grown from seeds, through seedlings!

Growing dahlia seedlings

Getting dahlia seedlings is pretty simple. Dahlia's seeds are large; they are sown for seedlings usually in April (in southern regions early - in March).

Dahlia shoots appear quickly. Dahlias are actively developing, therefore, they require due attention.
It is important to cut out the grown dahlia seedlings in time in a larger container. And it is better to transplant each plant into a separate pot (with a capacity of 0.4-0.5 liters).
Dahlias are thermophilic and photophilous, so the seedlings must be provided with sufficient lighting and kept in a warm place.

When growing dahlia seedlings, you need to regularly inspect young plants. Pay particular attention to reverse side leaves and tops of plants, where he likes to settle. When the first pests are found, it is important to take urgent measures so that ticks do not destroy the dahlia seedlings.

If there is no time to deal with seedlings at home, then at the beginning of May you can sow dahlia seeds right in the garden: in a greenhouse (under a temporary film shelter or under a dense covering material) or in a garden greenhouse.
Fortunately, dahlia seeds are large, so it is not difficult to pre-soak them, and then sow less often. When stable heat sets in, in early summer, plant strong young plants on permanent place in the garden. It is imperative - with a lump of earth, so that dahlias in a new place do not retard development due to rooting, but immediately set off into growth after disembarkation.

Planting seedlings and caring for dahlias

By the time young dahlias are planted in open ground, it is necessary to harden the plants, accustoming them to fresh air and the direct sun. Dahlias, pre-adapted to new conditions, will thank you for their remarkable growth, magnificent.

Do not plant dahlia seedlings close to each other or in the shade, so that the plants are not crowded and there is enough sun.
Take care of good nutrition and root comfort: do not hesitate to put enough loose fertile soil in the planting hole.

Dahlias love moisture, so the soil in the place of their planting should retain moisture well during dry periods: dahlias "drink" a lot. Sufficient soil moisture contributes to the development of large and abundantly flowering bushes. However, in a damp place, on waterlogged soil (or where rainwater stagnates for a long time), dahlias can rot. And if the soil is too dry, the growth of dahlias slows down - then the plants look stunted, almost do not bloom.
from various pests that sometimes spoil these plants in the garden.

Regular feeding of dahlias is also important: over the summer, its bushes several times. Then they will not hesitate to thank you with wonderful flowers!
And your friends and acquaintances will ask incredulously: did these wonderful dahlia bushes with inflorescences of unusual shape and color really grow from a small seed so quickly?

So, do not despair if suddenly there was a failure with winter storage dahlia tubers. This is a fixable matter. Dahlias can be grown from seeds quickly!
By the way, in the fall, you can dig up the tubers of "annual" dahlias and try to preserve them, as usual perennial dahlias are kept.

I wish good luck to all gardeners in the new gardening season, an abundance of the most diverse different colors.

Galina Rusinova (Irkutsk)
www.vsp.ru

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Dahlia are rightfully considered one of the most decorative flowers due to the long flowering period from mid-summer to the very frost, a variety of colors and many forms. A representative of the Aster family became an inhabitant of European gardens in the 17th century, after it was imported from Central America. Europeans appreciated the beauty and grace of the plant, taking into account the fact that planting and caring for dahlias in the open field does not require special skills and efforts.

Varieties and types

In the wild, the genus unites about 30 species under its name, which became the basis for breeding work and breeding more than 15,000 varieties, which are divided into 12 classes.

Among the huge variety of shapes and colors, the following varieties stand out:

• Collar dahlias are varieties that range in height from 70 to 120 cm, with one row of outer petals covered with a second row of shortened, twisted flowers of a different color. Noteworthy: Chimborazo, La Gioconda, Claire de Luna.
• Needle - varieties that stand out with petals twisted into a dense tube, which resemble needles. Popular Danny, Pirouette, Visit, Doris Day.
• Peony - varieties with multi-row inflorescences, the lower tier of which is represented by wide petals, and the center is short, twisted into a tube. Fascination, Symphonia are widespread.
• Spherical dahlias - representatives have lush, rounded inflorescences with a loose structure up to 15 cm in diameter. Doreen Hayes, Esmonde, Crichton Honey stand out.
• Simple dahlias are varieties with simple single-row inflorescences 10 cm in diameter, not exceeding 60 cm in height, among which Yellow Hammer, Princess Marie Jose, Orangeade are common.

Dahlias: the nuances of growing

An unpretentious flower will decorate the garden with long and lush flowering, given a number of features:

• providing the necessary soil composition;
• a competent choice of seedlings and places of cultivation;
• timely preparation for winter;
• regularity of dressings and water procedures.

Landing in open ground

Planting work includes a number of activities that are important for the full development of a dahlia - the selection of a site, its preparation and the direct planting of tubers.

Soil preparation and site

When choosing a site, preference should be given to sunny places, protected from drafts, with fertile, loose soils. Acidity is not a very significant parameter, however, with an excess of it, the soil is limed, and in case of deficiency, it is acidified with peat.

Site preparation is carried out in two stages:

• In autumn, when digging, compost is introduced at the rate of 3-5 kg ​​per 1m2.
• In the spring, another portion of compost and some wood ash are scattered over the dug area, after which the area is harrowed with a rake.

The choice of planting material

The choice of planting material must be approached responsibly: the success of the cultivation of culture depends on it.

When buying, the following is taken into account:

• terms - seedlings are purchased not earlier than mid-April;
• appearance - the tuber should be fleshy and strong, without visible damage;
• the presence of shoots - they should be short enough.

How and when to plant?

After the soil has warmed up, you can start planting tubers in open ground. As a rule, planting is carried out in late spring - early summer.

During the procedure:

1. Holes are dug with dimensions of 40x40x40 cm, exceeding the size of the tubers, at least three times.
2. Manure is laid out on the bottom, which is sprinkled with soil.
3. Then tubers with sprouts are placed and closed in such a way that the stem is buried 2 cm in the ground.
4. In the case of planting a tall variety, an additional solid support is installed at this stage.
5. Soil in trunk circle it is abundantly watered and mulched with a 5 cm layer of a mixture of sawdust and peat.

Dahlia care

In order for dahlias to grow up healthy and not waste energy on the struggle for survival, it is necessary to fulfill simple care requirements.

Watering plants and hilling

Dahlias need abundant watering 1 or 2 times a week, depending on the weather, in which it is necessary to ensure that there is no stagnation of moisture in the roots, which are prone to decay.

With the arrival of hot summer, dahlias huddle after each watering, which allows them to retain moisture longer.

Loosening, weeding and mulching

To ensure a good level of air permeability, a day after the next watering, the soil in the near-trunk circle is loosened, while weeds are removed. To reduce the time and effort during these procedures, as well as to avoid rapid evaporation of moisture, the near-trunk area is mulched.

Top dressing and fertilization

During the period of active development, dahlias need regular feeding, which is carried out twice a month with alternating mineral and organic fertilizers.

1. At the beginning of the month, ammonium nitrate is introduced at the rate of 15 g per 1 m².
2. In the second half - a solution of poultry droppings, prepared in a ratio of 1:20.

Important! After the formation of the first buds, nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers are replaced by phosphorus-potassium fertilizers - 15 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate per 10 liters of liquid.

Shaping and garter

Grasshopping, which makes it possible to form a beautiful bush of 2-3 powerful stems, is carried out throughout the season as the lateral shoots form. An obligatory procedure is to tie tall dahlias to the support installed during planting: strong wind or precipitation can break the hollow stem of the plant.

Advice! If the stem of the dahlia is broken, you should immediately prop up the damaged shoot with a branch, and then fix it well.

Such a treatment in the form of a splint will save the plant, which will certainly thank the grower with its flowering.

Plant pruning

The dahlia bush is pruned to achieve high quality inflorescences that will be much larger with only 2-3 shoots remaining. After the formation of buds, no more than 2 pieces are left on each peduncle. It is obligatory to remove lateral shoots in tall varieties and faded inflorescences, which makes it possible to speed up the budding process.

Transfer

When growing dahlias, one must not forget about the observance of crop rotation: the representatives of the culture return to their former place of growth no earlier than after a three-year period.

Dahlia care in the fall: when to dig up tubers for the winter

When the first frosts come, the tubers of the plant must be dug up:

1. The stems are shortened to 10 cm in height and covered with foil to prevent moisture from entering the plant and causing rot.
2. After 2-3 days, on a dry morning, the plant is dug in at a distance of 30 cm from the central shoot.
3. Villas are being built under a lump of earth.
4. The tuber is pushed out of the soil and carefully peeled from it.
5. After the completion of the excavation, the tubers are washed from the remains of soil, which may contain pathogens and pest larvae.

Carefully! Delay in the digging of tubers, when short-term heat returns after a cold snap, can lead to awakening of the kidneys, which is unacceptable.

Plant protection from diseases and pests

Among the pests on dahlias, slugs and earwigs are often noted, which are attracted by juicy stems and buds of the culture. To combat them, a folk remedy is used weekly - a decoction of wormwood.

When aphids, thrips, ticks and caterpillars attack, plantings are treated with a systemic insecticide as a protective measure.

Of the diseases that often affect dahlias, rot is the most common. The reason for the development of this disease is excess moisture, the prevention of which is the best preventive measure.

Dahlia breeding

Dahlias reproduce in a generative and vegetative manner.

Seed method

If the owner of the land does not have the time or desire to dig up and store tubers every year, then you can grow annual dahlias, which are so called conditionally - the name implies the annual sowing of dahlia seeds, which are cultivated in the garden as an annual crop.

The direct procedure for sowing a crop with seeds in open ground is carried out according to the standard scheme:

1. Seed material is sown into shallow grooves, then the crops are moistened.
2. After the formation of two pairs of true leaves at the seedlings, the seedlings are planted.

Tuber division

The procedure is carried out in the second half of April 1-1.5 months before disembarkation in open ground:

1. The sprouted tuber is planted in a nutrient substrate so that it protrudes 2-3 cm above the soil level.
2. Plantings are matured in a well-lit place with a temperature of 18 ° C.
3. After bud formation, the tuber is divided into parts, each of which must have at least one bud with a root collar.
4. Then the delenki are returned to the same container where they are grown.
5. When the side shoots reach a height of 10 cm, they are removed, and the cuttings are planted in open ground.

Cuttings

Side shoots that are cut before planting the cut can be used as cuttings:

1. Cuttings are planted in a container with nutrient soil.
2. The box is moved to a darkened place, and the plantings are systematically watered.
3. After rooting, new specimens are planted in garden soil.

Thus, there is nothing difficult in caring for dahlias. If you follow all the recommendations, the gardener will become the owner of beautiful flowers that adorn the garden with their lush hats from July until the autumn frosts.

Dahlia - beautiful plant which has a long flowering period. There is a legend that dahlias grew only in the gardens of the royal nobility and were guarded by guards. And one day a young man managed to steal a flower from the garden and planted it under the windows of his beloved girl. The young man was locked up in prison, but the dahlia became available to ordinary people.

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Another legend says that the dahlia grew as soon as the ice age ended. The emergence of culture was the beginning of a new era.

For the first time, the culture appeared in the mountainous regions of Mexico. There is a legend that the ancient Aztecs used the roots of dahlias for food. On the contrary, in Europe dahlias were grown for aesthetic purposes only.

The culture received the Latin name Dahlia in honor of the Swedish botanist Dahl. In Russia, dahlias got their name in honor of the geographer and botanist Johann Georgi.

Dahlia species

Today, there are several classifications and many varieties of this crop. You can plant flowers from seeds, and also with the help of tubers. Among so many varieties, you can find the most amazing and incredible shapes and colors.

There are also mini-dahlias with compact bushes, and there are also giant bushes over a meter in height:

• Collared dahlias- have petals of different sizes. In the middle of the bud, the petals are short, rolled into tubes. The outer petals are long and flat;
• Pompom dahlias- belong to spherical varieties. Dahlia inflorescences are fluffy, consisting of swirling petals. However, in size, such dahlias are inferior to other varieties, and the inflorescences are much denser;
• Needle dahlias- have thin petals that are twisted into dense tubes. Each bud has a different petal length. There are special subspecies - semi-needle dahlia flowers. The petals of the buds are cone-shaped;
• Peony dahlias- dahlias with lush inflorescences. Each bud has several rows with wide oval petals. The middle consists of short, twisted tubes;
• Spherical dahlias- shrubs have lush round inflorescences. The petals are fleshy and rather large. Each individual petal is twisted into a tube. The bud is soft and loose;
• Nymphaedahlias- have several differences from their counterparts. Inflorescences are flat. In the center, they have a fluffy center consisting of short petals. The outer part of the flower consists of flat, wide petals;
• Anemonedahlias- have similarities with collar colors. There are short tubes inside the dahlia. Flat petals are located along the perimeter.

A place to grow dahlias

Culture doesn't demand much attention. Flowers can grow comfortably in shaded areas. However, their location can affect the size of the buds. In order for the dahlia buds to be beautiful and large, you need to choose semi-shaded places. This will extend the flowering period without compromising the beauty of the plants.

A moderate level of humidity is the only condition that must be met when growing dahlias. Since the tubers of the plant are prone to decay. That is why it is worth abandoning planting plants in the lowlands. Experienced gardeners are advised to make a layer of expanded clay or broken brick on the garden bed before planting.

As for the soil, you don't have to worry about its structure. Bushes thrive on sandy, loamy soils, as well as black soil.

Dahlia planting

When to plant a crop? Plant tubers should be planted after winter in spring or early summer, after all frosts have passed and the soil has warmed up. If the dahlia planting occurs in the spring, then it is necessary to cover the seedlings from frost. Low temperatures are dangerous for plant tubers.

Watch the video! Preparing dahlia tubers for planting

To plant the plants, you need to dig holes, taking into account the size of the root system. It should be borne in mind that there must also be a place for compost or manure in the hole. Therefore, the size of the hole must be appropriate. The tuber should be positioned so that the root collar is a few centimeters above the ground.

The root collar is the area that is located above the rhizome. Growth buds are located here, from which new shoots grow. If you sprinkle this area with earth, it can lead to decay. That is why it is important to comply with such a condition.
In order for the flowering of plants to begin earlier, dahlia seedlings need to germinate. The tubers should be placed in a layer of soil or sawdust and covered with plastic. A small hole must be left to create air circulation. The tubers should be constantly irrigated using a spray bottle. In such a mini-greenhouse, the kidneys will become active much earlier.

The stems of plants must be tied up, as they can easily break from strong winds. That is why, before planting, you need to make a special support. To do this, you need to insert a peg into the hole and bury it along with the tubers. This must be done exactly at the time of planting, since after a few months it will be difficult to do it carefully without damaging the roots.

For low-growing bushes, pegs of about 30 cm are suitable. And for tall varieties, pegs of 50 cm are required. It is recommended to drive in several props for comfortable plant growth. With their help, shrubs can be firmly fixed.

Advice! Dahlia tubers can die in severe frosts. That is why in the regions of central Russia it is recommended to dig up tubers in the fall.

Dahlia care

In order for the plants to please with beautiful buds, certain agricultural techniques must be followed.

Support for dahlias

If it happened that the stems of the dahlias broke, then the situation can be corrected. It is necessary to put a tire on the stem. To do this, attach a branch to the shoot, fix it and support the stem in such a way that it does not bent. Competent and timely care of flower bushes will be able to preserve even a broken shoot, which will continue to bloom.

Dahlia

Stealing - the process of removing excess stems. However, this method is not a prerequisite for growing plants.

This method will help enhance strong branches and large flowers. Since, the fewer shoots on the bush, the more powerful and faster they can develop. The optimal number of shoots is 2-3. It is not recommended to leave more. The pinching procedure must be done throughout the season. To do this, it is necessary to remove all sprouts that appear at the base of the foliage.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering the dahlia should be moderate. If you overdo it with moisture, the plant will lose its attractiveness or even die. You need to water the bushes in such a way that the water moistens the soil by 30 centimeters. This moisture level will be enough for the plant to receive the required amount of moisture.

In the process of watering, you need to make plant food:

• Organic fertilizers;
• Nitrogen fertilizers;
• Wood ash;
• Superphosphate.

If fertilizer was applied during planting, then the next top dressing should be postponed before the green foliage of the plants begins to form. If the soil has not been fertilized, then organic fertilizers can be applied in a week. The procedure is simple. It is necessary to dig holes along the entire perimeter of the bush and add fertilizers there, then level them. The procedure is performed once every two weeks.

Advice! Planting and caring for dahlias outdoors the process is not complicated. However, if a beginner decided to take up the case, you need to seek advice from specialists or see Photo and video instructions for correct agricultural technology.

Dahlia pests

Young shoots of bushes can attract slugs, and earwigs are terrible for buds. That is why, after the first signs of pests have appeared, dahlias need to be treated with a decoction of celandine or wormwood after sunset. In the heat, you need to spray the bushes with systemic insecticides in order to combat aphids, ticks and thrips. A soap solution can be used against aphids.

Harvesting dahlia tubers

After the first frosts have appeared, you need to dig up the tubers and cut off all the foliage. You need to leave 5-10 cm of the stem. Many summer residents start cutting the stems and leaves a few days before digging out the tubers. It is important to know if moisture gets on the cut part of the stem - the base of the stem will begin to rot. Therefore, after the stem is cut, you need to cover it with aluminum foil.

Since the neck of the tubers is rather fragile, you need to dig out the dahlias in the morning, dry weather, so that they can dry out in time. It is also much easier to remove soil residues from dry tubers.

How to dig up dahlia tubers

It is necessary to dig in the bush from 4 sides at a distance of 30 centimeters from the stem in order to cut off the conducting roots. Use a pitchfork to dig the tubers out of the soil. Tubers should be carefully cleaned from the ground and left to dry. After all the tubers have been dug out, they need to be rinsed with water to remove all remnants of the soil that contains microorganisms and diseases. It is important not to be late with the timing of digging up tubers. Because, after frost, a warm period may begin and the buds on the tubers will begin to germinate again. This can lead to the death of plants.

How to store dahlias in winter

With proper storage of dahlias, it will be possible to save the tubers in 90% of cases. Tubers should not dry out during storage - this can lead to the fact that the plant will give weak shoots in spring. On the contrary, if it is not enough to dry the dahlias, rotting can begin. It is important that the tubers are not damaged, for this you need to prune them, and then cover them with charcoal. Root collars should be powdered with chalk or ash before the winter period.

Dahlias should be stored at a temperature of 3-5 ° C and a humidity of 60-70%. The room must be well ventilated. A basement is perfect for such purposes. However, the vegetables that can be stored in it are capable of creating high humidity, which increases the risk of various kinds of diseases. It is recommended to put the tubers in a container with dry peat; dahlias are also sprinkled with peat on top. If it is not possible to use peat, then sawdust will do. conifers or sand.

If the tubers begin to dry out, the covering material should be moistened. If there is poor ventilation in the room, then it is necessary to turn on the fan for 30 minutes several times a week. If it is not possible to store the tubers of plants in the cellar or basement, then you will have to do this in the apartment. To do this, you need to place the dahlias in boxes and a cool place. It is optimal if it is next to the balcony.

It is recommended to put the tubers in a plastic bag along with sand, peat, sawdust and tie them up. Many summer residents wrap each individual tuber in a newspaper. Next, the package must be placed in a cardboard box.

If you store plants in such conditions, then you need to monitor the temperature drops outside. Severe frosts can damage plants. Warm and humid rooms are not suitable for storing dahlias. However, if the tubers are treated with paraffin, then the seedlings can be stored in such conditions. To do this, you need to melt the paraffin in a water bath and lower each tuber there. After the paraffin has hardened, dip the tuber into the paraffin again. After such a procedure, the tubers, covered with paraffin, together with peat, sawdust or sand, must be placed in a plastic bag and tied.

Before planting the tubers, they need to be rubbed a little so that the paraffin film cracks. Important throughout winter period inspect dahlias to avoid rotting plants.

If it suddenly happened that the tubers were affected, then you need to treat them with charcoal or brilliant green.

Conclusion

Subject to basic growing conditions, it can be grown as perennial dahlias, annual, and dahlias are border. You can grow a culture in different regions countries on Urals, Siberia and central Russia. If you follow all the recommendations, then you can grow beautiful flower buds that can delight with their flowering for a long time.

Watch the video! 7 secrets of growing dahlias

Guatemala and Mexico are considered to be the homeland of these beautiful flowers. In the Old World, dahlias appeared in the 18th century, where they began to successfully plant and care in the open field. The flowers were immediately given two names - dahlia and dahlia. The first name was given to the plant in honor of the famous botanist from Sweden - A. Dahl, and the second - to the scientist from St. Petersburg - I. G. Georgi.

Flower varieties

Dahlia is a gorgeous flower. In addition to the variety of shapes, it is distinguished by a variety of colors. Today, scientists have about 30 species and about 15,000 varieties of dahlia.

Botanists divide the flower into the following groups:

1. Simple.
2. Anemonic.
3. Collar.
4. Peony.
5. Decorative.
6. Spherical.
7. Pompom.
8. Cactus (needle-like).
9. Semi-cactus.
10. Nymphaean.
11. Mixed - other varieties that are not included in the previous groups.

Colorful, gorgeous dahlias of different colors (white, burgundy, scarlet, pink, cream and many others) are the adornment of our summer gardens.

The dream of breeders is the blue dahlia. However, the efforts of botanists have so far not been crowned with success.

However, these delicate flowers cannot stand harsh Russian winters, therefore, those who want to enjoy the beauty of their bright buds all summer long should plant the tubers annually. So, in the Moscow region, dahlias can be planted in open ground in mid-May. But in its homeland - in Latin America - this amazingly beautiful flower is a perennial.

Planting dahlias in open ground

The most comfortable and most efficient method growing dahlias - planting and care in the open field.

Land preparation

The soil for flowers is harvested in advance. Prepare the soil for planting dahlia before the onset of winter frosts. In autumn, the earth is dug up and fertilizer is introduced into it - either compost or humus, which are added to the soil at the rate of 4 kg per 1 m2.

In the spring, the soil is enriched again, with a mixture of compost and ash, which are scattered over the entire area of ​​the flower bed. Then the earth must be loosened with a rake. Fertilizer can also be added to prepared planting holes.

Dahlias are planted in the spring in the soil with a loose structure. Gravel, river sand, crushed coal slag will help to increase its permeability and fertility. Such drainage will protect the culture from excess moisture which causes harmful mold and decay.

Dahlia quickly deplete the soil, so they should not be planted in one place for two years in a row.

It is desirable that the reaction of the soil is slightly acidic or neutral. Slaked lime is added to the peroxidized soil, and a little peat is added to the alkaline one.

Tuber preparation

Dahlia tubers intended for planting in the open field need special care. With the onset of April - move the root tubers from the cellar to the greenhouse, remove the rotten areas. Put in boxes, cover half with fresh turf soil, peat, sand, sawdust. The root collar is left open. Water the substrate periodically. Eyes will appear in about ten days. Remove root tubers from the soil, shake off, put on a hard surface.

A thin knife blade must be sterilized with a manganese solution or ignited in a fire. Divide the stem into four parts (quarters) with a vertical cut. Each division must have several root tubers and at least one renewal bud, otherwise it will not be able to germinate. The cut is sprinkled with crushed activated carbon... Keep tubers in the greenhouse until they take root.

Approximately 30 days prior to disembarkation planting material taken out of storage. The tubers are cleaned of damaged tissue by sprinkling the cut site with activated carbon. You can treat the culture with foundation, or hold it for 17 - 18 minutes in a weak solution of manganese. Next, the processed tubers are placed in low containers with a mixture of earth and river sand.

Initially, the containers are kept in a warm, shaded area with moderate watering. When the sprouts reach a height of more than 2 cm, they are transferred to a lighted place. It is rarely necessary to water the sprouts, it is advisable only to moisten the ground. They are planted in the first decade of May. No need to cover.

When is it better to plant dahlias outdoors in spring? The planting time is related to the climate of the region. For central Russia, this is the third decade of May. For the southern regions - April. For the northern ones, it is the beginning of summer.

Planting dahlias in open ground in Siberia and caring for them should be carried out in the second decade of June.

Site preparation

This culture loves warmth, so it is important to choose the right place. A flower bed should be located in a sunny area that is not blown through by drafts.

Some varieties have a fairly tall stem that breaks off easily from a strong gust of wind. Such varieties need support - stakes made of wood, 1.5–2 meters high. It is advisable to install them in advance.

Ideal location: near the wall, on the south side of the building. It is recommended to plant flowers next to a group of shrubs and trees, in a sufficiently lighted area. However, trees near flowers should not give a thick shade, as dahlias are very fond of light. Closeness and impassable thickets are not suitable for these freedom-loving flowers.

First, the site is leveled, after which the holes are prepared. The tubers are planted in open ground, then they are covered with a layer of earth a few centimeters. Provide enough sun and light watering for the tubers.

There is another method of propagation of this culture - cuttings. But this is a very laborious and responsible occupation. And if you are worried about these troubles, then you can grow an annual plant from seeds, these are:

• ColtnessHybrids;
• Redskin;
• Rigoletto;
• Figaro.

Seeds are sown in open ground in mid-May and bloom by mid-August. To get early flowering, the seeds will have to germinate.

Collection and storage of root tubers

Dahlias planted in open ground in the fall also need care. Before frost, the bush should be spud and the leaves on the lower part of the stem removed. It is recommended not to rush to dig up the tubers! When the ground part dies, it is cut off, and the tubers are left in the ground. Over the course of two weeks, their rind will thicken and starch will form. And only after the first frost (before the onset of large frosts) root tubers should be dug up and washed. This is done in the morning so that they air dry during the day.

Planting material is stored in a cellar, in a box with a mixture that includes earth, vermiculite, sand, sawdust, peat. Optimum humidity premises - 60–70%.

Ventilate the storage periodically.

In January, it is necessary to re-examine the tubers in order to divide the large ones. If affected areas are found, it is necessary to remove them, and treat the cut points with a brilliant solution of brilliant green (you can lubricate with crushed activated carbon).

Dangerous pests

The most important enemies of the plant are:

• slug;
• color beetle;
• Caterpillar;
• earwig;
• etc.

To combat slugs, the earth is sprinkled with metaldehyde. From aphids - the shoots are dipped in a soapy solution or sprayed with a 0.2% chloroethanol solution. Hot weather favors the development of spider mites, which infect the lower part of the leaves. They turn yellow, dry and die. The diseased culture is irrigated with celtan (0.2%). A decoction of celandine and wormwood is also used against pests.

So, magnificent dahlias are distinguished by a variety of shapes and colors, lush long flowering. If you follow the above recommendations, you can easily grow these gorgeous flowers in your backyard.

All about planting dahlias in open ground - video

Dahlias are perennial flowering plants of the Astrov family. Large flower heads amaze with the variety of their colors. There are spherical, double and variegated forms.

They are sometimes grown as annuals. In this case, the tubers are not dug up and stored for the winter.

When decorating a flower garden, it is very important to choose the right satellites for these plants with similar requirements for lighting and soil composition. Best of all, bright yellow and orange dahlias will be combined with delicate lilac verbena and purple delphinium.

I don't plant more than 2-3 varieties of different shapes and colors in one flowerbed. Failure to comply with this rule will lead to oversaturation of the composition and make it tasteless. You can dilute the flower garden with ornamental herbs and cereals.

In the conditions of the Moscow region, dahlias bloom from the end of June until the first frost.

The choice of planting material

Dahlias can be grown from seeds or by planting tubers. Seed propagation is only used to plant these flowers as annuals. If the plant is planned to be grown for several seasons, dahlia corms are purchased.

Before buying, you should carefully study the contents of the transparent package. The size of the tuber depends on the variety and age. The main thing is that it is not shriveled and dried out. A good cut has a small piece of the former stem, a root collar with slightly outlined buds and at least one nodule.

Old tubers are large in size and have a wide root collar, as a rule, they have a dark and wrinkled appearance. They are planted only for one season, since they do not give young offspring.

You should not purchase root tub nests. Such plants will give many shoots, but they will bloom poorly. Over time, they begin to get sick, and die by 4 years.

If planting material is purchased immediately before planting dahlias in the ground, it is better to choose partially sprouted specimens. The buds should be clearly visible on the root collar of such plants. In the case when it is still far from the moment of planting, the purchased tubers are wrapped in thick paper and stored in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment.

Types and varieties

Depending on the shape and structure of the flower, dahlias are divided into several groups.

The most popular are simple single-row dahlias with a flower diameter of about 10 cm.Giving preference to this type, you should pay attention to the variety Cheerful guys with a variety of colors and a bush height from 30 to 60 cm.It is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and increased resistance to drought. Due to the fact that this variety reaches its maximum decorative effect in the first year after planting, it is often grown from seed as an annual.

Anemoid dahlias are distinguished by petals shortened closer to the core, which are often lighter or darker in color. A striking representative of this species is the Boogie-Woogie dahlia. The deep pink outer petals of this cultivar border the bright yellow dense center of the flower.

Cactus dahlias look unusual. Their distinctive feature is needle-like petals, pointed, rolled into narrow elongated tubes. The advantage of cactus dahlias is that rainwater does not accumulate on their petals, and the inflorescences do not become heavier. The Stars Lady variety amazes with its white-pink fluffy buds that bloom from mid-summer to mid-autumn.

Globular dahlias are often grown as annuals. Their dense inflorescence reaches 15 cm in diameter.The Fanny Face variety will delight you with bright yellow flowers speckled with red splashes, which, when cut, will stand for at least a week.

Among the terry decorative dahlias, the most popular variety is Meloni Dixie. Its compact bushes do not exceed 60 cm, and the petals, beige at the base, acquire a rich pink tint... This variety has the longest flowering from early summer to late autumn.

Growing from seeds

Sowing dahlia seeds for seedlings begins at the end of March. For this, the seedling boxes are filled with nutrient soil, composed of 1 part of turf, 1 part of humus, 1 part of coarse sand. Then the soil is moistened abundantly and grooves are formed with a depth of 1-2 cm at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Seeds are laid out in the grooves, observing an interval of 3 cm, after which they are carefully sprinkled with earth. The boxes are covered with foil and kept in a well-lit room with an air temperature of 22-25 ° C.

Seedlings appear in 7-10 days. At this time, the film is removed, since the newly appeared seedlings need regular ventilation. You need to moisten the seedlings daily, preferably with a spray bottle.

A pick into individual peat cups is carried out when each plant has at least 3-4 true leaves. When transplanting, each sprout is buried to the cotyledons.

Dahlias are planted in open ground in the second half of May, when the threat of night frosts has finally passed. In order for the seedlings to successfully take root in a permanent place, 2 weeks before the expected date of planting, the seedlings begin to harden, gradually accustoming it to the coolness of the street.

Growing tubers

Before planting dahlias, they are pre-germinated with tubers. To do this, a 20x40 cm trench is dug in a specially designated area. The tubers are carefully laid in it, and then covered with earth. To ensure the greenhouse effect, the trench is covered with polyethylene, which is attached to the surface of the earth with stones or other available material. It is not necessary to additionally moisten the soil during the germination period.

In about 2-3 weeks, green shoots will appear on the surface of the earth. The film is removed, and young plants are dug up, divided and planted.

To properly divide the tubers, they are washed under running water and cut with a knife so that at least one sprout remains on each bulb. At the end, the corms are disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

The division rejuvenates the plant and prevents it from sprouting too many. The buds on such a specimen will be larger and brighter. It is also the best breeding method for varietal dahlias.

Landing

The area where dahlias are supposed to be grown should be well lit or in partial shade. The main thing is that it is protected from cold winds. For this purpose, dahlias are often planted next to annual sunflowers, which, with their powerful foliage, protect their delicate buds from drafts.

The land for planting flowers is prepared in the fall. The soil is dug up and fertilized with compost at the rate of 3 kg per 1 sq. M. In the spring, the soil is again enriched by scattering a mixture of humus and ash over the surface. If the soil is acidic, it is limed, as dahlias prefer neutral soils.

For planting plants, holes are dug with a depth of 10 cm, which are previously well spilled with warm water. Depending on the variety, the planting pattern can be 30x30, 50x50 or 80x80. 2 copies are planted in each hole, this will allow for maximum splendor of the bushes. In order for the plants to develop correctly, it is necessary to arrange the tubers strictly horizontally.

Agrotechnical requirements

Additionally, young dahlias should be watered only in dry weather, for this they use warm settled water, since low temperatures will negatively affect the root system of plants. During the flowering period, the bushes require almost daily irrigation, and on hot days the soil is mulched with peat or straw. In between waterings, the soil is loosened and weeded.

As the bush grows, excess shoots are removed from it, leaving only a few of the strongest branches. If you correctly pinch the plant throughout the entire growth period, you can get large and bright buds. The exception is dwarf species.

Top dressing begins to be applied only after the beginning of flowering, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. A weak infusion of mullein prepared on the basis of water in a ratio of 1x10 is well suited for these purposes. Lack of nitrogen is eliminated by adding ammonium nitrate to the soil at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. for 1 sq.m.

Tall varieties must be tied up in time so that the fragile stems of the dahlia do not break under the weight of the blossoming buds and do not lose their decorative effect.

In October, perennial corms are dug up and stored. To do this, the entire ground part is removed from the plants, and the tubers are freed from excess land and treated with potassium permanganate. For the first month, the bulbs are stored in a well-ventilated room with a high humidity of 90% and a temperature of 8-10 ° C. Then the tubers are moved to a dark place with a temperature of 3-5 ° C and a humidity of 50-60%.

To avoid decay, dahlias should not be stored in closed plastic bags. In addition, the future planting material must be regularly sorted out at least 1 time per month.

Diseases and pests

Violation of the conditions for planting and growing dahlias can lead to a number of fungal diseases. The most common are gray rot and leaf spot. In this case, the leaves of plants are deformed and dry out, the peduncles die off without opening.

To combat such ailments, powerful fungicides such as Fundazol or Topsin are used. Severely damaged specimens are removed and burned.

Strawberry and chrysanthemum nematodes damage the entire terrestrial part of dahlias. It is almost impossible to fight it, so the affected plants are dug up with a large clod of earth and destroyed.

Growing dahlias in the suburbs

Dahlia- the queen of the autumn garden, a plant of the Compositae family, root-tuberous. In the conditions of the Moscow region, an annual digging of dahlia tubers, as well as begonias tubers, is required.

The gardens of our grandmothers could not be imagined without dahlias, as well as without golden balls. For some time, these flowers for the soul disappeared from the front gardens. But fashion is known to be making a comeback. Thanks to the work of breeders, dahlias began to come slowly.

The homeland of dahlia is Guatemala and Mexico. There still grow wild species that require a short day and cool nights. In Russia, dahlias began to appear at the beginning of the last century, and they got their name in honor of the geographer, botanist, ethnographer, academician of the Petersburg Botanical Garden Johann Gottlieb Georgi.

Depending on the size of the bush, the shape and color of the inflorescences, dahlias are divided into groups. Here are some common ones:

Non-double- small inflorescences up to 5 cm in diameter, bush height up to 60 cm.

Pompom- spherical inflorescences up to 5 cm in diameter, bush height up to 1 m.

Cactus (needle-like)- large double inflorescences up to 20 cm in diameter, bush height up to 120 cm.

Decorative- large inflorescences with bending ligate flowers up to 20 cm in diameter.

Location, soil

The landing site for dahlias should be open sunny, illuminated for at least 6 hours a day. Cultivars with pink and red flowers will retain their color longer if they are protected from the midday sun. Dahlias have fragile stems, so their planting site should be protected from the wind by trees, shrubs or buildings. However, it is not recommended to plant in lowlands, as cold air accumulates there and there are early frosts.

The soil for planting dahlias should be structural, permeable with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. From experience I can say that dahlias grow on any soil. However, if you want to achieve a lush and long flowering, then it is recommended to improve the soil by applying organic fertilizers (compost, rotted manure). If the soil is clayey, then sand, peat and dolomite flour, and if the soil is sandy, which does not retain moisture well, then it must be diluted with peat and clay.

Landing

In the Moscow region, for earlier flowering, dahlias are planted in open ground grown up when the threat of return frosts has passed (as a rule, on June 6-10). If dahlias are planted earlier, then temporary shelter is required (with half a plastic bottle, for example).

Dahlia grows in a container

It is recommended to dig a pit for planting dahlias in advance. A shovel of humus (compost), 30 g of complete mineral fertilizer and a tablespoon of lime are added under one bush. All this is mixed well with garden soil to a depth of about 30-40 cm. Dahlias are planted in cloudy weather or in the evening at a distance of 60 cm from each other. Dig a hole in the prepared soil a little bigger pot, in which the plants were grown, and carefully, trying not to destroy the earthen lump, dahlias are planted. Dahlias are placed in the planting hole a little deeper than they grew in a pot. The necks of the tubers should be covered with earth by 3-4 cm. Immediately you should drive in a stake with a height of 150-180 cm for tall varieties, to which the stems are subsequently tied. The planted plants are watered abundantly. I recommend spilling each bush with Epin's solution (5 drops per bucket of water). The soil around the stems must be mulched to retain moisture and reduce weeds. It is recommended to use rotted manure, compost or peat as mulch.

Top dressing, care

Dahlias respond well to feeding with weed infusion or mullein solution (1 liter per 10 liters of water). Such dressings are carried out before flowering every 2 weeks. When the dahlias begin to bloom, scatter superphosphate (2 tablespoons under the bush), embedding it in the soil. From mid-August, nitrogen fertilization is stopped altogether, and the

Caring for dahlias consists in timely watering and pruning wilted inflorescences. When dahlias begin to bloom, they are watered only in abnormal heat, otherwise the growth of leaves will overtake the growth of flowers. I do not recommend peoning (who does not know what it is, look in the dictionary) or pinching the side shoots, as the specialized literature advises, as otherwise it turns out to be a rather bald bush with leaves and flowers only on the top of the head. In addition, many varieties are now sold that form a large number of buds - flowers. If the variety is very tall, then it is better to cut the top above the third (second) pair of leaves so that the flowers are not somewhere in the clouds. It is recommended to remove the lower one or two pairs of leaves from the bush. This will provide better air, heat and light access to the roots, thanks to which the tubers will ripen better. In the fall, dahlias are huddled to protect them from the cold and prolong flowering.

Dahlias grown from seeds and small-flowered varieties must be pruned, stimulating the growth of new inflorescences.

Cleaning and storage of tubers

The dahlia root tubers are harvested when the first frosts beat the stems and leaves, but there is still no big frost. I recommend not to rush into the digging too much. When the ground part dies, it is cut off, and the tubers are spud (you can simply pour a bucket of new earth on top of the bush). For about 2 weeks, the tubers are not touched, during which time their peel thickens and starch forms. Then they are dug up (you cannot pull the stem!), For this, around the bush, 20 cm from the stem, gently dig a circle with a shovel and pry the tuber. It should be remembered that dahlia tubers are very fragile and weakly adhere to the root collar, so they can break off. If some tuber breaks off, do not throw it away, rarely, but buds can wake up on it in the spring. The tubers are washed from the ground (it is good to lower it in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes), allow to dry, cut off small roots. All cuts must be treated with crushed coal to prevent decay.

dahlia needle

I recommend dividing the tubers in the spring, since they are better stored, and in March-April you can already see where the buds woke up. To dry, the tubers are brought into a cool room (about + 4-10 degrees) for 15-20 days, covered with a newspaper. Then they are stored until spring in a basement at a temperature of + 3-5 degrees and a humidity of about 60-80%.

Recommend verified by me way to store tubers in the basement... In any box, I line the bottom with wrapping paper, lay out the dried tubers and cover it with ordinary universal purchased soil for plants, with a layer of about 5 cm almost to the root collar. I cover the box with a newspaper (paper) on top, on top of which I lay a film or sealed packages. Once every 2 weeks, you need to open the drawer and check. If rot (mold) appears on the root collar, which is very rare, then I take out the tuber, process it with potassium permanganate, cut off the rotten parts to healthy tissue, sprinkle it with charcoal and dry it for about a day. Then I again put the tuber in a box-box (preferably in a separate one) and cover it with new, drier soil. If the tubers began to wither (dry out), then I spray the ground a little.

Pests and diseases

The most common pest is aphids, which suck out cell sap, which leads to deformation of leaves, flowers and young shoots. For the fight, you can use folk remedies - a solution of tobacco dust.

Spider mites and thrips can cause great harm to plants. Treatment with bio-preparations is recommended (Iskra-bio, phytoferm).

Application in landscape design

In the garden, dahlias look great in the front garden, along the paths, in the decorative garden. Small varieties can be used in container gardening.

In group plantings, dahlias look great next to aconites, delphiniums, phloxes and other perennials. And such annuals as kosmeya and zinnia will be indispensable companions of dahlias for country-style gardens. If you plant a strip of low bushes of the same color, size and shape, you get a wonderful border. If you plant dahlias on a lonely shrub growing on the lawn or include a flower garden in the composition, then bright colors in late summer and early autumn will delight you for a long time.

Comments (1)

Dahlias are popular garden plants that can decorate any flower garden.

Planting and caring for dahlias in the open field does not require much effort and special skills, but there are still nuances in agricultural technology.

Growing dahlias from seeds

Dahlias are not propagated by seeds as often as by tubers. This method is mainly suitable for annual varieties and breeding work.

Sowing directly into the ground

Dahlias are thermophilic plants, therefore, sowing in open ground in the spring can be done only when the last frosts have passed, approximately - in the third decade of May.

Dahlias grown in open ground from seeds will bloom no earlier than August, so many gardeners practice earlier sowing at the end of March with the obligatory use of mini greenhouses or greenhouses.

Before sowing, the bed is dug up and left for 2-3 days so that the soil is a donkey. The seeds are placed in shallow furrows, the distance between which should be at least 60 cm.

The earth is carefully leveled with a rake, sprinkled with rotted humus to avoid the formation of a surface crust and watered abundantly.

As it grows, thickened places are thinned out so that there is a sufficient gap between the bushes for normal development (about 60 cm).

Growing dahlias for seedlings

Annuals are sown for seedlings in April, while perennial varieties- already at the beginning of March, so that by the fall the plant has a viable tuber.

Seeds are sown in prepared seedling boxes, placing them horizontally, and covered with a thin layer of sand or loose soil (no more than 0.5 cm). The soil mixture is prepared from peat, sand and agroperlite.

"Dahlia seedling substrate should not be fertilized either before planting or during growth."

In open ground, seedlings should be planted as soon as 2-3 leaves are formed in the seedlings, not counting the cotyledons. The distance between young dahlias should be at least 5-7 cm.

Many gardeners pick and plant dahlias in small pots with a soil of sand, peat and turf in a ratio of 1: 1: 2.

Watering should be moderate, as the root system of dahlias is very sensitive to excess water in the soil. This threatens the development of fungal and bacterial infections.

When to plant dahlias outdoors

The timing of planting dahlias in open ground directly depends on the climatic conditions of the region. Seedlings by this time should be hardened.

To do this, pots or boxes are placed on an open balcony or taken out into the street during the daytime, gradually increasing the duration of their stay in the fresh air.

In Siberia, dahlias are planted in a permanent place no earlier than mid-June, in the Moscow region and central Russia - from the beginning of June, in the southern regions and in Ukraine - from the third week of May.

Planting seedlings of dahlias in the spring in the ground

If the seedlings are in glass, clay or plastic containers, then 2 hours before planting in a permanent place, they must be thoroughly shed with warm water. Peat and paper containers can be placed in the soil along with the seedlings without disturbing the root system.

A little wood ash and compost are poured at the bottom, mixed with the ground and the seedlings are planted so that the first cotyledonous leaves are just above the ground. The flowerbed is watered and mulched.

Planting dahlias with tubers

Growing dahlias from tubers is a traditional method known to all flower growers. They begin to prepare planting material in the spring, in April or early May.

Landing dates

Perennial dahlias are planted in open ground after spring frosts. For central Russia, this is around the 20th of May or early June, you need to be guided by the weather.

In the south, the dates are shifted a couple of weeks ago, in the northern latitudes they are planted a little later.

Tuber preparation

Before the first frost, dahlia tubers are dug out of the ground, washed under running water and dried. Long, conductive roots and stems are trimmed, leaving a few centimeters.

The root collar is sprinkled with ash or crushed coal, this good prevention from rot. Planting material until spring is stored in a basement at a temperature of 3-5 ° C, in boxes with peat, sawdust or sand.

For storage in warmer and more humid conditions, the tubers are pre-dipped in heated paraffin - this will reduce moisture evaporation, keeping the planting material from drying out.

Preparing tubers for planting involves choosing quality material and keeping it in a nutrient substrate. Dried roots are removed from them and examined for possible diseases.

Healthy planting material should be free of rot and stains. The tubers are elastic and not shriveled, the stem is about 2-3 cm, the root collar should have buds.

A month before planting in a flower bed, the tubers are placed in containers with soil so that 2-3 cm remain on the surface.The containers are left in a well-lit place at a temperature of 17-20 ° C for 1.5-2 weeks until they hatch kidneys.

If the dahlia variety is valuable and the tubers are well preserved, several plants can be obtained from them.

Separating tubers before planting

The tubers are cut into segments with a sharp blade so that each has a bud and part of the root collar, usually into 3-5 pieces. The incision sites are treated and returned back to the substrate for further germination. Before planting in open ground, lateral shoots are removed from grown plants (about 15 cm tall).

Attention! "To disinfect a fresh cut, you need to sprinkle it with crushed activated carbon."

Planting tubers

In the flowerbed, they dig holes 30 cm deep (on a shovel bayonet) and 40 cm in diameter. Rotted manure or humus is placed on the bottom and sprinkled with soil so as not to cause a burn of the root system.

The plots are placed in holes to such a depth that the tubers are covered with soil by 5-8 cm, and the stems of the sprouts by 1-2 cm. After planting, the place is watered abundantly and sprinkled with mulch from sawdust, peat or needles.

Outdoor Dahlia Care

How to plant and care for dahlias to grow powerful and beautiful bushes with a lot of large and long-lasting flowers? It is important to choose the right place for them, do not overfill, feed them on time and periodically pinch the stepsons.

Location and lighting

Dahlias love a lot of light and warmth, it's not for nothing that sunny Mexico is their homeland. They grow well in partial shade, but stretch well compared to plants planted in the sun.

Location in deep shade has a detrimental effect on the growth and development of dahlias. Wait for decorativeness and wild flowering in this case it is not worth it.

Watering rules

Dahlias are drought-resistant plants, but leaving them without watering is still not worth it. In the heat, the bushes are abundantly moistened once a week, and the next day the soil is loosened and weeds are weeded. By the end of summer, watering is stopped so that the tubers are better prepared for winter.

"Mulching the soil near the plantings will not only eliminate the lush growth of weeds, but will also retain moisture, which will allow watering less often."

Choice and timing of top dressing

During the summer, it is recommended to feed dahlias every 2 weeks, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. So that the bush does not actively build up the green mass, and gives all its strength to flowers, dahlias are not advised to fertilize with nitrogen-containing agents.

If there is a large amount of humus in the soil, preference should be given to mineral fertilizing, newly developed lands need organic matter.

In autumn, during digging, semi-decomposed manure or compost is added to the soil at the rate of 3-5 kg ​​per 1 m² or bird droppings (1-2 kg per 1 m²). Peat, wood ash, superphosphate are introduced in the spring.

It is inappropriate to fertilize the soil during digging with such means as urea, potassium salt, potassium chloride, ammonium nitrate, since they are quickly washed out of the soil and are not absorbed by the roots.

Photo: © Steven Nadin / EyeEm / Getty Images

The best feeding of dahlias during flowering is potash-phosphorus fertilizers. 50 g of superphosphate and 2 glasses of ash are diluted in 10 liters of water. To feed the tubers in August, add 30 g of potassium sulfate at a time. Dahlias are not fertilized in September.

Support for dahlias

Tall varieties need props. The stems of this culture are hollow and can break in a strong wind or under the weight of a flower.

As a support, wooden or plastic pegs are suitable, which it is advisable to drop into the hole at the time of planting the tubers. In this case, damage to the roots can be avoided. As they grow, the stems are tied to a support with a string.

Dahlia pruning

Caring for dahlias includes the formation of a bush and the timely cutting off of stepchildren. If you want to get large and prominent inflorescences, only 3 stems are left on the bush. On each, you need to remove the extra buds, keeping only 1-2.

Side shoots also need to be docked during the season, but they can be used as cuttings. Withering flowers are pruned immediately so that the plant does not waste energy on ripening the seeds, but sends them to new blossoming buds.

Diseases and pests

Common diseases of dahlias are:

• viral mosaic;
• ring spot;
• blackleg;
• powdery mildew:
• fusarium;
• white rot;
• dry rot.

There are not so many pests that infest dahlias, mainly thrips, greenhouse and bean aphids, and moth caterpillars.

Propagation by cuttings

Many people know how to plant and care for dahlias that have been propagated by tubers and seeds, but there is another interesting breeding method - cuttings.

To do this, the tubers must be planted for germination in January, so that by mid-spring the sprouts reach a height of 6-7 cm. They are carefully cut with a blade or broken off, preferably together with a part of the root collar (in the jargon of gardeners, such cuttings are called "with a heel").

In place of the cuts, new shoots will grow over time, but not as strong as their predecessors.

Cuttings with a heel are planted in containers with a well-moistened, but not frozen substrate and placed in a greenhouse, which is periodically ventilated. You can simply cover the pot with a plastic bag to create the desired moisture.

Cuttings that are too long and overgrown are usually rooted in water. Planting in open ground is carried out in the same way as seedlings.

Experienced growers advise planting cuttings in tight containers, then the tubers will grow thick and compact.

Dahlia varieties

Today, the number of varieties of dahlias has already exceeded 15,000. In the international classification, they are divided into 10 groups:

Simple. The height of the bush is 45-60 cm, the diameter of the flower is up to 10 cm. The inflorescence is a tubular center surrounded by one row of reed petals. Popular varieties are murillo, yellow hammer, alpen sara, agness, mignon, rote funken, funny guys.

Anemonic. They grow up to 90 cm, inflorescence up to 10 cm in diameter. In the center there is a volumetric disc of large tubular flowers, framed by one or more rows of reed flowers. The most famous varieties are: “lambada”, “blue baiyu”, “boogie-woogie”, “polka”, “asakhi chokhi”, “brio”, “honei”.

Decorative. The height of the bush can reach 1.5 m, the diameter of the inflorescence is up to 25 cm. The marginal ligulate flowers are more rounded. The most popular decorative dahlias are “lacquers nambre”, “tartan”, “prince carnival”, “Arabian night”, “rosabela”, “orange”, “ecstasy”.

Spherical. There are undersized (up to 40 cm) and tall varieties (up to 1.5 m). Inflorescences are round, terry, from 7 to 20 cm in diameter. More often than others in flower beds you can see such varieties as: "Evelyn", "Peter", "Sandra", "Kenora fireball", "Sylvia", "Rocco", "Annushka", "Aurora's kiss".

Pompom. They differ from spherical wrapped marginal flowers, the shape of the inflorescence may be slightly flattened. The height of the bush ranges from 50 cm to 1.2 m, pompons - 3-9 cm. Interesting varieties: “Gretchen Heine”, “Acrobat”, “Kid”, “Buntling”, “Baby”, “Anke”, “Albino” , “Andrew lockwood”.

Nymphaean. Terry inflorescences resembling a water lily. Varieties: "Angora", "Nabat Khatyn", "Kens Flame", "Bahama Red", "Seduction", "Angela".

Collar. They grow up to 1.2 m, the diameter of the inflorescence is up to 10 cm. Distinctive feature These dahlias are a basket of three types of flowers: at the edges - reed, further a ring of collar, in the center - short tubular. Varieties: “night butterfly”, “fashion monger”, “impression fantastic”, “first grader”, “flamenco”, “heart of danko”, “la gioconda”.

Cactus. Reach a height of 1.5 m, with a flower size of more than 25 cm. This group differs in the needle-like shape of the marginal flowers. Among the varieties we can mention “blutentepich”, “white star”, “black bird”, “jessica”, “windhaven highlight”, “florida”, “ambition”.

Semi-cactus. They differ from the previous group only in that the marginal flowers are rolled into a tube only up to half the length. Popular varieties: Aitara Success, Adlerstein, Ice Princesses, Anna, Andrew Mitchell, Meteor, Verda, Viki, Iceland Delight, Kenora Sunset.

Transitional group. This includes varieties that cannot be classified as any of the above. Bright and unusual varieties are the "pink giraffe" and "bishop of llanduff".

Even a novice florist can grow dahlias in the country. The key to success is choosing the right place, planting it on time and taking care of it regularly throughout the season. Planting and caring for dahlias outdoors is usually straightforward.

If you follow the simple rules of agricultural technology, by the middle of summer a bright rainbow of colors will spread in the garden, which will delight you with its diversity until autumn.

Dahlias are perennials from the Asteraceae family. They reproduce in tubers and do not hibernate in the open field, so the tubers have to be dug up in the fall and stored in the basement until spring.

Mass flowering of dahlias occurs in August-September, when the day becomes short and the nights are cool. Such conditions remind plants of their homeland - Mexico.

Preparing dahlias for planting

In the spring, tubers are taken out of the basement. In the middle lane, this happens at the end of April. The quality of the tubers is carefully checked. Rotten, withered, with long shoots are unsuitable for planting - they will grow sickly and weak plants.

Tubers selected for planting should be soaked for 5 minutes in a solution of copper or iron sulfate to protect against diseases. The pesticide is diluted according to the recommendations on the package:

• ferrous sulfate - 30 gr. substances per 10 liters. water;
• copper sulfate 10 gr. substances per 10 liters. water.

Fungicide will save dahlias from decay and fungal diseases if the spring is long and cold.

Processed tubers are put in a box with peat or sawdust and covered with a thin layer of bulk material so that they do not become damp. The boxes are placed in a room with a temperature of about + 20C.

If dahlias are grown through seedlings, each tuber is planted immediately after soaking in a container with nutrient soil corresponding to its volume, and covered with river sand with a layer of 3-5 cm on top. The pots are left in a bright, warm room, where sprouts will soon appear from them. Indoors, dahlias can be germinated for no more than one month.

Most gardeners do not bother growing tubers in an apartment, but plant them in a permanent place as soon as the threat of frost occurs. With this agricultural technique, shoots will appear 2 weeks after planting.

Planting dahlias

A sunny place protected from the wind is suitable for planting dahlias. Dahlias don't like open spaces. Even varieties with sturdy stems can break under strong winds.

The soil should be non-acidic, moist, but not waterlogged. Preferred are loams and sandy loams, rich in humus, deeply dug up and well fertilized. The beds are prepared in the fall - the soil is dug up and fresh manure is introduced.

The tubers are planted in landing pits a depth of 20-30 cm with a 5 cm deep root collar. The distance between the bushes depends on the height of the variety. After planting the tuber, props are immediately driven in next to it.

Cuttings are planted with a clod of earth and immersed in the soil until the first pair of leaves. A small hole is made around the stem and immediately watered abundantly.

Care and cultivation of dahlias

Dahlias require careful and constant care - this is the only way the plants will please with large bright inflorescences, and the flowering will be long. Once the tubers are in the soil, it needs to be kept loose, constantly weeds removed and watered.

The soil will have to be loosened after each rain and watering. Weeds are harmful to dahlias in that they compete with flowers for nutrients - as a result, crops do not develop well.

To water less, weed and loosen, the soil under the bushes can be mulched with a thick layer of peat or last year's leaves. Mulching with compost or humus will protect dahlias in the open field from drying out and become additional food.

Watering

Watering is especially important during flowering. At least 5 liters of clean warm water are poured under each bush. The more the bush grows, the more water it needs. During budding and flowering, 10 liters can be poured under each plant. water. In the evening, it is useful to spray the bushes with warm water - under such a refreshing shower, the plants are blissful.

Wind protection

Plants planted outdoors must be protected from strong wind, tied to high pegs. Broken stems can be healed:

1. Rinse the broken stem with clean water.
2. Moisten in propolis solution - 6 gr. substances per liter of water.
3. Soak sphagnum moss in the same liquid and wrap the stem with it.
4. Fix the wrapping place with birch bark and tie it with twine.
5. Tie the broken stem to the pegs on both sides.

After a month, slugs will appear at the site of the breakdown and the plant will continue to develop.

Formation

The cut dahlia is not a flower that can be left to grow however he pleases. To get large inflorescences, the bush will have to be formed:

• To keep the flowers large, regularly remove the small side shoots on the main trunk;
• Remove the bottom four pairs of leaves as the top ones develop;
• Leave the shoots on the main stem starting from the fourth pair of leaves;
• If you need especially large buds, pinch off two competing ones and leave only the central one.

Formation accelerates flowering, the flowers turn out to be larger - after all, the bush ceases to waste nutrients for forcing the stepsons that leave the lower leaves.

Cut dahlias grown from cuttings are formed differently:

1. Pluck all shoots to a height of 70 cm.
2. Above, leave two side shoots - you should get a bush on a high stem.

Dwarf varieties intended for curb cultivation do not stepchildren.

Organic fertilizing

In autumn, when processing the soil, manure is introduced - up to 5 kg per square meter... Manure is the most valuable fertilizer for dahlias. It decomposes easily into nutrients available to plants. Many beneficial microorganisms settle in manure - which provide plants with nitrogen and protect against mold and rot. A single autumn application of manure provides the flower garden with food for 3-4 years.

The manure can be mixed with phosphate rock - this improves the quality of both fertilizers. Phosphate rock. can be applied separately, in autumn, at the rate of 200 g per square meter.

Humus and compost are highly rotted organic matter, an analogue of fresh manure. Both fertilizers are very valuable. Humus or compost is applied in the fall or spring before planting at the rate of 6 kg per square meter.

Doses of mineral fertilizers

Dahlias take out a lot of nutrients from the soil, as they develop quickly and form many leaves and flowers. Therefore, in addition to the pre-planting filling of the soil with organic matter, it is required to feed the plants several times with mineral fertilizers during the season.

The first feeding should be done at the beginning of budding. Contribute per square meter:

• a tablespoon of ammonium nitrate;
• a tablespoon of potassium chloride.

The second feeding is needed at the beginning of flowering:

• two tablespoons of superphosphate;
• two tablespoons of potassium chloride.

Power diagnostics

With a lack of nitrogen, the leaves turn pale and thinner. If the leaves change color from green to yellowish, feed the plants with calcium cyanamide. This fertilizer contains 46% of assimilable nitrogen. It is applied 12-15 days before the beginning of budding, 10-15 g per 5-10 bushes, until the leaves acquire a normal color.

Phosphorus is essential for the development of flower buds and full flowering. If the soil was not filled with phosphorus during planting, it can be added during the mass regrowth of shoots from the tuber and then phosphorus fertilizing is carried out every two weeks:

1. 50 gr. Dissolve superphosphate in 10 liters. water.
2. Water 5-8 plants.

Potash fertilizers increase frost resistance. The lack of potassium is reflected in the leaves - they turn yellow, and only near the veins the green color remains.

The best fertilizer for dahlias is potassium chloride. It contains up to 60% of the active ingredient. To properly apply potash fertilizer, you need to dissolve it in water:

1. Add two tablespoons of potassium chloride to 10 liters of water.
2. Distribute over 5-8 bushes.

In August, especially in the northern regions, dahlias need to be poked up to protect the root collar from nighttime cold snaps. In September, dahlias are spud up again - to a height of 10-15 cm. The soil will protect the tubers from the first autumn frosts.

The roots are dug up when the aboveground part dies from the cold. You cannot postpone the digging. After the aerial part dries out, dormant buds will begin to wake up on the tubers, and they will become unsuitable for storage.

How to store dahlias in winter

After digging, the tubers are dried in the air for 1-2 days, without shaking off the ground. They need to be covered at night. The stems are cut immediately after digging to the level of the root collar. After drying, the tubers are divided into separate sections, powdered with ash and placed in a basement or cellar.

In the cellar, dahlias are sometimes sprinkled with clean, dry sand to keep waste to a minimum. Once a month, the planting material is examined, rotten or moldy roots are separated. Damaged areas can be cut out if they are insignificant, sprinkled with ash or chalk and dried.

If there is no underground storage, tubers can be stowed in boxes and placed in the corridor. Another way to store dahlias in winter is to fold the root tubers in plastic bags, sprinkle with peat and tie tightly. If dahlias are to be kept in a warm room, the dried tubers can be dipped in warm paraffin, sprinkled with peat and packed in polyethylene - this will protect them from drying out and death.

How to wake up dahlias after winter

It is not necessary to wake up dahlias dug in your own area. During a long winter, they are in relative peace and by spring they begin to germinate in the basement or cellar.

Experienced gardeners reasonably believe that tubers that are not forcibly awakened wake up on their own, bloom better and form stronger plants than those with which gardeners tinker all spring, germinating them in a greenhouse or at home.

Sometimes it is necessary to wake up tubers after winter, bought in a hypermarket, on which at the time of planting there are no visible rudiments of sprouts. Such planting material is wrapped in newspaper and polyethylene. Care should be taken to keep the newspaper wet. In the warmth and moisture, the sleeping kidneys will wake up. After the sprouts appear, the tubers are carefully, observing the "top-bottom" orientation, placed in a box and sprinkled with wet sawdust.

Popular varieties of dahlias

Dahlia varieties are divided into two large groups: double and non-double. Dahlia inflorescences reach 30 cm in diameter. They consist of two types of flowers:

• reed- around the edges;
• tubular- in the center.

The reed flowers are asexual or pistil. Tubular bisexual - they are able to set seeds.

Table: popular varieties of dahlias

Many growers who cannot grow classic dahlias or have no place to store tubers in winter limit themselves to growing annual varieties.

Popular mixtures of annual dahlias:

• Butterfly- bright mixture with double flowers, suitable for cutting, height up to 65 cm;
• Funny boys- mix compact varieties with non-double flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, suitable for borders and flower beds;
• Russian size- hybrid giant dahlias, height up to 120 cm, flower diameter up to 14 cm, double and semi-double flowers.

The genus of dahlia includes 42 species. Some are grown in our climate as annuals, sowing seeds in rich, nutritious soil. Such plants have time to bloom in the first year. In winter, they are not dug up, leaving them to freeze in the soil.

Dahlia (Dáhlia) is a bright representative of the Astrov or Compositae family. There are more than 200 species of this plant. And regardless of the species, they all differ in large, spherical flowers. Dahlia is the heroine of more than one beautiful legend. The birthplace of the flower is the mountainous regions of Mexico. The ancient Aztecs revered this plant and even ate it. Europeans did not appreciate the taste of dahlias, but they really liked it decorative properties plants. Since then, she has taken its rightful place in luxurious flower beds and gardens. You can use dahlias in flower beds, single and group plantings, on beds, rocky hills, in containers. In this case, combinations with various perennial and annual flowers are possible.

Planting and care rules

Before you buy dahlia bulbs in our online store, you need to carefully choose a site for planting. The plant is quite demanding on climatic conditions. Dahlias are planted in partial shade and closely monitor soil moisture. Tubers are prone to decay, so you need to carefully monitor the moisture balance in the soil. It is recommended to equip a drainage layer of broken brick or expanded clay. The best time to land in the ground is late spring and early summer. In late autumn, the tubers are dug up and sent to winter in a warm room.

Buy dahlia bulbs at the Gardener's Center!

On our virtual showcases, planting material of the most popular varieties of dahlias is presented. The purchase will cost you inexpensively, and delivery by mail will allow you to get the bulbs of the best breeding varieties of this flower in a short time.

Dahlias can be both annual and perennial. However, the cultivation of perennial flowers is much more difficult and costly, because for the winter the tubers will have to be dug up, processed and stored somewhere until spring. Growing annual dahlias is much easier. It is only necessary to carry out their spring sowing of seeds, then properly care for the seedlings and plant them in open ground in time.

Popular varieties and varieties of dahlias

In garden centers, you can find a huge number of varieties of dahlias of completely different varieties, which will differ in height (tall, medium and dwarf) and in shape. It can be collared, pompom, cactus and other varieties. But, probably, the most famous variety is "Merry Guys".

When and how to plant dahlia seeds for seedlings

The generally accepted dates for planting annual dahlia seeds is late March - early April. They grow quite quickly, so there is no need to rush with the timing of their sowing.

According to the lunar calendar in 2019

Choosing the best date for sowing seeds can help you Moon calendar.

So auspicious days for sowing annual dahlias in 2019 according to the lunar calendar are:

• in February - 6-8, 11-17, 21-25;
• in March - 12-17, 19-20;
• in April - 6-8, 11-13, 15-17; 29-30;
• in May - 8-17, 21-23, 26-28;
• in June - 1, 2, 5, 6, 9-13, 16-20.

Note! For planting perennial dahlia utterly other auspicious days, and here unfavorable - common to all cultures.

Unfavorable days lunar calendar 2019 for sowing dahlias are the following dates:

• in February - 4, 5, 19;
• in March - 6, 7, 21;
• in April - 5, 19;
• in May - 5, 19;
• in June - 3, 4, 17.

According to lunar calendar from the magazine "1000 Tips for Summer Residents".

Landing containers and soil

The most common food container with a lid is perfect as a suitable container, but you can use any other planting container that is convenient for you.

Dahlia planting soil requires light, nutritious and fertile. You can take regular soil and use any loosening substrate. It can be vermiculite, perlite, sand, coconut substrate.

Sowing seeds

Step-by-step instructions for planting seeds of annual dahlias:

By the way! You can plant dahlia seeds in such a way that you do not need to pick them. See the video below for more details.

Video: sowing annual dahlias for seedlings with sprouted seeds for growing without picking

Another in an interesting way planting dahlia seedlings is sowing with boiling water, which gives a fairly good germination rate.

You can also grow seedlings of these flowers in a "snail".

Care for dahlia seedlings after sowing

Approximately 3-4 days after sowing the seeds, friendly shoots should appear.

When the shoots appear, the shelter will need to be removed, but not immediately, but gradually.

As for the required conditions for the further successful development of seedlings of annual dahlias, this is watering as needed, in other words, drying the soil, maintaining temperature regime within 23-25 ​​degrees and 12-14 hour daylight hours, which can be achieved with illumination using special lamps or on the sunniest windowsill.

Picking

When the dahlia seedlings have 2 real leaves, you can safely start picking the plants into separate containers.

As a container for picking, you can use special plastic cassettes or disposable cups.

The composition of the substrate can be used the same as when planting the seeds.

Important! Before you start picking, do not forget to spill the container with the seedlings with water, so that it is easier to remove without damaging the roots of the plants.

The picking is carried out in a standard way: we gently pick up the plant with any tool convenient for you and transfer it to a new container, where a small depression has been made beforehand. Then water a little. If the earth subsides, then, as necessary, you can add soil to the transplanted seedlings.

Further care for dahlias is not particularly different: regular watering as the soil dries up and maintaining effective daylight hours (either a sunny windowsill or backlighting).

Planting dahlia seedlings to a permanent place in open ground

Dahlia seedlings are planted when return frosts pass, that is, around the second half of May. If you are not sure that frosts can return, then prepare a covering material.

By the way! At the same time, you can plant dahlia seeds directly in open ground, but you must understand that you will see flowering much later and not so abundant.

The dahlia planting site should be sunny and well sheltered from the wind.

The land is required loose. It is advisable that compost or humus be added to it, therefore, during the preparation of the site, thoroughly dig up the soil and add loosening elements to it. And this, including, may be humus.

Optimal distance between plantings of dahlias - 20-30 centimeters, depending on the variety and its height.

The process of planting dahlias in open ground is quite simple: we take out the plant along with an earthen clod and carefully place it in a small hole, and then sprinkle it with soil. Further, do not forget to pour water over it. It remains only to perform mulching with rotted sawdust or some other mulching material.

Caring for dahlias after disembarking to a permanent place

Further care for dahlias in the open field is reduced to frequent loosening and weeding before flowering (weeds must be defeated!), Top dressing and regular watering.

On dry and hot days, flowers need a lot of moisture, so do not forget to water them, and it is better to do this less often, but abundantly enough. In principle, it will be enough once every 5-7 days.

Top dressing to the bud ovary must be carried out using a complex mineral fertilizer that contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen, as you remember, is required for the growth of green mass, and potassium and phosphorus - for laying good buds and peduncles, in other words, for abundant flowering.

During active flowering, dahlias should be supported and fed again with a complex mineral fertilizer, but with a high content of potassium and phosphorus, which are especially needed at the time of flowering.

Advice! If you want to prolong the flowering of dahlias, then you should remove the faded baskets. There are quite a few of them, and they take on an enormous amount of food. Thanks to this procedure, new buds will be tied.

Video: caring for annual dahlias - prolonging their flowering

When the flowers completely fade, it will be necessary to remove the entire aboveground part in compost, and the tubers can be dug up and stored for the winter, and then planted already next spring... Here's what's interesting: if you plant the tubers of annual dahlias, then most likely you will grow tall and rather huge plants, but with small flowers. Therefore, it's up to you: if you want to try, then save; if not, then don't.

Video: digging the tubers of annual dahlias

Thus, if you follow the basic rules for planting seedlings and growing annual dahlias in the open field, then without applying special efforts care, you will get a very spectacular flower garden in front of the windows of your country house.

Video: growing annual dahlias from seeds - planting and care

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