Dahlia

Dahlias were introduced to Europe from Mexico in the 18th century; today they are widely grown both in flower beds and for cutting. All cultivated forms of dahlias originate from one species of the genus Dahlia, which unites 20 species - variable dahlias (Dahlia variabilis) and are conventionally divided into 2 large groups of varieties and garden forms used as ornamental plants for decorating flower beds and for cutting. Sometimes dahlias are temporarily grown as potted plants - on a balcony or terrace. Decorative dahlias bloom from early summer to late October, they come in different heights from 50 to 150 cm. The color of the flowers varies from red to pink, from purple to purple, from yellow to orange. For cutting, dahlia varieties are chosen that do not grow above 50 cm. The flowering period begins in spring and ends in autumn. The flowers come in various shades of white, pink, yellow, red and lilac. According to another classification, varieties and hybrids of dahlias in the shape of flowers (or rather, the nature of inflorescences) combine the following 11 types: simple, anemone, collar, nymph, cactus, chrysanthemum, decorative, decorative cactus, spherical, pompom, dissected.

Dahlias were introduced to Europe from Mexico in the 18th century; today they are widely grown both in flower beds and for cutting. All cultivated forms of dahlias originate from one species of the genus Dahlia, which unites 20 species - variable dahlias (Dahlia variabilis) and are conventionally divided into 2 large groups of varieties and garden forms used as ornamental plants for decorating flower beds and for cutting. Sometimes dahlias are temporarily grown as potted plants - on a balcony or terrace. Decorative dahlias bloom from early summer to late October, they come in different heights from 50 to 150 cm. The color of the flowers varies from red to pink, from purple to purple, from yellow to orange. For cutting, dahlia varieties are chosen that do not grow above 50 cm. The flowering period begins in spring and ends in autumn. The flowers come in various shades of white, pink, yellow, red and lilac.

According to another classification, varieties and hybrids of dahlias in the shape of flowers (or rather, the nature of inflorescences) combine the following 11 types: simple, anemone, collar, nymph, cactus, chrysanthemum, decorative, decorative cactus, spherical, pompom, dissected.

Cultivation

Varietal dahlias are usually planted in the form of a stem cuttings or a section of root tubers in April to a depth of 10 cm, in soil enriched with peat and filled with rotted manure, at a distance of about 50 cm from each other. Stakes are immediately placed next to them, to which the plants are later tied. Rooted dahlias, which are sold in pots, are planted in a flowerbed in April, keeping the distance between plants 40 cm. They are fed with complex fertilizer, making it 20-30 g per 1 m2. In September, plants should be fed with potassium (20 g K2O per bucket), which promotes tuber development. Grown dahlias from cuttings are fed when their height becomes equal to 15-20 cm, this helps the plants to get stronger. In order to make the inflorescences larger, the lateral shoots are removed, keeping the central bud. You do not need to pinch dahlias for flower beds.

Varietal dahlias are usually planted in the form of a stem cuttings or a section of root tubers in April to a depth of 10 cm, in soil enriched with peat and filled with rotted manure, at a distance of about 50 cm from each other. Stakes are immediately placed next to them, to which the plants are later tied. Rooted dahlias, which are sold in pots, are planted in a flowerbed in April, keeping the distance between plants 40 cm. They are fed with complex fertilizer, making it 20-30 g per 1 m2. In September, plants should be fed with potassium (20 g K2O per bucket), which promotes tuber development. Grown dahlias from cuttings are fed when their height becomes equal to 15-20 cm, this helps the plants to get stronger. In order to make the inflorescences larger, the lateral shoots are removed, keeping the central bud. You do not need to pinch dahlias for flower beds.

Location

This plant requires a very well-lit area, even in direct sunlight, and well-ventilated. With a lack of light, excessive growth of shoots occurs to the detriment of flowering.

Temperature

The optimum temperature is 15-20 °C. However, dahlias can endure both extreme heat and a drop in temperature to 0 °C, especially in dry climates.

Watering

In the heat, dahlias should be watered abundantly, and it is advisable to use water at ambient temperature.

Transplant

Dahlias are not transplanted, but immediately planted in a permanent place in the garden. Plants grown in pots, when they reach the size of adult specimens, are also planted in open ground in a permanent place.

Care

Plants are weeded regularly, wilted inflorescences are cut directly below them.

Reproduction

The most common methods are grafting and dividing the tubers, which is carried out when flowering ends. The aerial part of the plant is shortened, leaving shoots 20 cm high from the ground. Tubers are removed from the soil at the end of October and stored in a box with a moist peat-sand mixture indoors, at a temperature of 3-5 °C. For cuttings, shoots are used that appear when forcing tubers in a pot. Then they are rooted in a mixture of sand and peat, taken in equal parts, in a cool shaded place at a temperature of 15 °C. Sowing with seeds is carried out at the end of winter in boxes filled with soft and light soil, which is constantly kept moist, the air temperature should be 15 °C. Subsequently, the seedlings are transplanted into pots, where they remain until they are planted in the flower bed, at the final planting site.

Diseases

The most common diseases of dahlias are root rot and gray rot. Make sure that no water stagnates between the plants. When planting, keep the distance, do not overfeed with fertilizers, this can lead to excessive growth of shoots. Some viral diseases occur that slow down growth and cause yellow-brown spots and rings on the leaves. Since viral diseases are incurable, the affected plant can only be thrown away to avoid the spread of the virus. Dangerous pests: aphids, causing deformation of leaves and stems; earwigs eating flowers. These insects are disposed of with insecticides.

Acquisition

Tubers can be purchased starting in January. When buying, you should check the packaging and label, as well as if there are no wrinkles on the tubers. Young plants in pots are sold from late March to April.