Planting and care of dahlias at home, varieties and rules of cultivation
Planting and caring for dahlias raises questions for many flower growers. These plants are very popular with flower growers. They are unpretentious and easily adaptable to various climatic conditions. To successfully grow crops, it is worth watering them in time, correctly applying fertilizers and pruning. Protection against disease and pests is also important.
Description and characteristics of the plant
Dahlias belong to the Astrov family. They have many varieties that differ in shape and color. The plant is characterized by a long flowering period.It begins in mid-summer and ends in autumn.Plants are considered completely unpretentious. They can be spread by mutated shoots called root tubers. Currently, there are more than 10,000 varieties of dahlias.
Varieties
Today, many varieties of plants are known, each of which has certain characteristics.
anemoid
These dahlias have one or more rows of border petals. In the middle they are tubular and elongated. The inflorescences do not exceed 10 centimeters in diameter. In height, the bushes reach 60-90 centimeters.
Necklace
The flowers reach 10 centimeters in diameter. The bushes are 75-120 centimeters high. Crops are characterized by a row of marginal petals and another row of twisted petals.
Peony
The flowers reach 12 to 15 centimeters in diameter. They are characterized by the presence of two or more rows of marginal petals. At the same time there are tubular petals in the center. The bushes reach 75-120 centimeters.
Decorative
The double flowers have a diameter of 8 to 25 centimeters. The bushes reach 60 centimeters in height.
Spherical
This species is characterized by flattened double flowers that reach 8 to 15 centimeters. Plants reach 90-120 centimeters in height.
Pom pom
This variety is distinguished by globose flowers that reach more than 5 centimeters in diameter. Marginal petals are distinguished by a rounded or blunt tip. The height of the bush reaches 90-120 centimeters.
Cactus
This species is characterized by double flowers that reach 8-25 centimeters. The bushes are 90-150 centimeters high. At the edges are narrow curly petals.
Semi cactus
The plant is distinguished by double flowers, the size of which is from 8 to 25 centimeters. The marginal petals are folded from the center towards the ends. In height, the plant is 90-150 centimeters.
nymphs
In appearance, the flowers resemble water lilies. They have a regular shape and are very elegant. The flowers reach 7 to 20 centimeters in diameter. The height of the bush is 70-130 centimeters.
Mixed
This category includes all varieties of dahlias that are not similar in appearance to the varieties described above.
How to plant correctly
In order for the culture to fully develop and delight in lush flowering, it is important to carry out the planting work correctly.
Time recommendations
The exact timing of planting operations depends on the climate of the region. In the south, they are allowed to be executed in mid-April. In central Russia, planting dahlias should be carried out in mid-May. In the north, this can be done in June.
How to choose and prepare planting material
Dahlias are planted with seeds, seedlings or tubers. Growing a crop from seed is quite simple. Flowering can be reached 45-50 days after planting. You can also buy seedlings. It stands out for its unpretentious care. In addition, dahlias are most often planted with tubers.
Site and Soil Requirements
Dahlias do not tolerate shaded areas well. It is best to plant crops in well-lit areas. Full wind protection is also important. In its absence, tall crops can break, since they have rather fragile stems.
The plant needs fertile soil. It is best to give preference to slightly acidic soil. It is recommended to refine waterlogged or impoverished soils.
Landing scheme
It is recommended to make indentations for planting in warm weather. Dahlias should be planted at a temperature of + 15-20 degrees. It is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 40 centimeters between the holes. Pits should be deep enough - at least 40 centimeters. Depressions are watered with Fitosporin. It is also worth adding ash and humus.
For tall dahlias, when planting in a recess, it is worth driving in a stake. For stability, it is deepened by at least 40 centimeters. It is recommended to spread the roots around the support. In this case, the necks of the tubers should be immersed in the ground by 5 centimeters.
Rules of care
In order for dahlias to develop fully, they must be properly cared for. In this case, it is worth following a number of recommendations.
watering mode
Dahlias need frequent watering. It is recommended to moisten the soil twice a week. In this case, the planting should be watered very abundantly. In hot weather, be sure to use a layer of mulch.
top dresser
For the first time dahlias need to be fed 10 days after planting. To do this, use an infusion of mullein. You can also make green tea. It is made from nettle, sowthistle or bindweed. Herbs are recommended to be filled with water and insisted in a sunny place for at least 3 days. Then mix 500 milliliters of infusion with 10 liters of water for irrigation.
Fertilization during the period of bud formation is of no small importance. To achieve abundant flowering, such drugs as Fertika Lux and Uniflor Bouquet are used.
It is best to apply top dressing in the evening, after watering.
Size
During this procedure, the following actions should be performed:
- get rid of stepchildren;
- remove side shoots;
- pick the lower leaves;
- pinch off small faded inflorescences.
The correct formation of the bush helps to maintain its decorative features. Large inflorescences appear on these plants.
Prepare for winter
With the onset of frost, you should immediately dig up the tubers. It is recommended to do this at the time of blackening of the leaves. If the procedure is not carried out in time, there is a risk of the death of the plant. First, the stems are cut with the pruner. It is important that the cutting area is level with the ground. You need to dig into the tubers very carefully. In this case, it is worth retreating to a sufficient distance from the ankle. After removing them from the ground, they must be shaken off and dried in the sun.
It is recommended to keep the tubers dug in the cellar. They can be sprinkled with a mixture of soil and sawdust. It is important to maintain the temperature regime at + 1-7 degrees. The optimum humidity level is 80%. If there is no cellar, it is allowed to keep tubers in the apartment. In addition, they are treated with molten paraffin.
Mulching
This procedure protects the soil from drying out. Additionally, the mulch layer eliminates the need for weeding and loosening the soil.
Transfer
Dahlias have difficulty accepting a transplant. It is recommended to position them so that when transferred to a permanent site, they do not damage the root system.
weeding
It is imperative to systematically remove weeds. This will help protect the plant from diseases and achieve full development.
Spray
When a dahlia is damaged by pests, it is worth spraying it with herbal products. For this, an infusion of garlic or onion is suitable. Sometimes you have to use urea or mullein. It is worth spraying plantings in the evening or in cloudy weather.
Breeding methods
There are many ways to raise dahlias. This allows each grower to choose the best option.
Cuttings
For this, we use seeds that have several internodes. Cuttings should be placed in moist soil and covered with foil. When the plants take root, they are transplanted into prepared pots of small diameter filled with a nutrient medium.
Layers
In this way, dahlias practically do not reproduce. Bush division would be a more effective option. For this, it is recommended to cut healthy tubers into pieces. Each section should have 1-2 eyes. They are then transferred to boxes filled with moist substrate.
Seeds
This method is used to obtain new varieties. Also, annual varieties of dahlias are bred by the seed method.
Possible growth problems
When growing dahlias, many growers face various problems - the development of diseases, attacks of pests.
verticillosis
With the development of this disease, the leaves suddenly turn yellow and wither.
Powdery mildew
Pathology is accompanied by the appearance of a white bloom on the leaves.
black leg
This disease is accompanied by darkening and thinning of the stem.
White rot
The development of white rot is accompanied by yellowing and rotting of the crop.
Fusarium
In this case, the culture is covered with a pink flower.
Viral diseases
These are the most dangerous pathologies that cannot be cured. Viruses are carried by insects. They are also spread through the use of sharp tools that have been used to treat infected crops.
bacterial cancer
In this case, the roots and tubers of the culture are covered with white growths. Subsequently, they take on a dark shade and begin to rot.
Growing cancer
This pathology is accompanied by the appearance of many fine roots. A large number of shoots appear on the collar.
meadow bug
These insects cause great damage to the plant. It manifests itself especially strongly during the period of bud formation, since females lay eggs in the apical buds of plants. Karbofos will help cope with pests.
Aphid
These pests settle in colonies on the soiled side of the leaves and absorb the sap of the plant. As a result, a sticky plaque appears on the culture surface. Aphids contribute to the spread of various pathologies.
Garlic infusion or a solution of soap ash will help to cope with it. With a pronounced defeat, it is worth using Aktara, Fitoverm.
Thrips
These microscopic insects infect the foliage by absorbing its juices. As a result, a silver bloom appears on the plant. As the pathology progresses, the leaves turn yellow and dry out. The use of insecticides - Fufanon, Aktara helps to cope with pests.
Spider
These parasites are localized on the soiled side of the leaves. In this case, a cobweb can be seen on the plant. The affected foliage turns yellow and dries up. A spray of cold water will help solve the problem. In difficult cases, infusion of garlic or tobacco is used.
Low growth
Dahlia growth disorder is caused by poor plant maintenance. Often the cause of problems is infection with viral infections.
The leaves have turned yellow
Leaf yellowing often occurs against the background of an aphid infestation. Also, the causes of problems are viral infections and a violation of the watering regime.
Use in landscaping
Quite often, dahlias are used in garden landscaping. Low crops are used to decorate beds, ridges or borders. They become a real backdrop for alpine slides or rock gardens.
Tall varieties of dahlias can be part of group or free plantings. To create unique compositions, large-flowered varieties are used. Instances that have strong and long stems are used for cutting.
Common Mistakes
Inexperienced growers can make the following mistakes when growing dahlias:
- plant the plant incorrectly;
- violate the watering regime;
- flower formation is neglected;
- do not apply fertilizer;
- ignoring preventive treatments against diseases and parasites.
Additional tips and tricks
To successfully grow perennials, you must follow these rules:
- correctly carry out planting work;
- water the plant in a timely manner;
- observe the fertilization rate;
- carry out treatments against diseases and pests;
- cut the bush;
- properly prepare the crop for winter.
Dahlias are considered beautiful ornamental plants, which are very popular with flower growers. To successfully grow a crop, it is worth timely watering and applying complex fertilizers.