Dahlias funny guys: planting and care

13 Pests

In addition to diseases, dahlias often infect insects that feed on the sap and juicy tops of the plant:

1. Aphids. This insect infects not only dahlias, but almost all cultivated plants. Aphids are white insects that can be seen with the naked eye. The first signs of aphid infestation are twisted and yellowed leaves. Honeydew (sticky liquid) can be found on the bottom of the leaf. To destroy aphids, you can use chemical insect repellents: Fitoverm, Actellik, Iskra. If the aphid has just appeared, then you need to cut off the affected areas of flowers and burn them.
2. Slugs. The plant is attacked by gastropods that feed on dahlia foliage. On the leaves, you can find gnawed longitudinal stripes, which eventually transform into holes. You can get rid of slugs from a plant by manually collecting pests. It is recommended to use superphosphate, red pepper and sawdust. Sawdust must be poured between the plants. The slugs' tentacles become irritated when they move over such material and they leave the flower.
3. Vegetable bugs. Such pests are very fond of feeding on the juice of the leaves of the "Merry Boys". The leaves begin to turn yellow, the plant is covered with brown spots. Dahlia leaves roll up, holes form on them. It is necessary to fight bedbugs in the morning. Excellent remedies are Karbofos, Decis, Fosfomid.

An active fight against insects will allow the plant to delight any gardener with flowering.

Features of planting dahlias "Funny guys"

Planting dahlias "Funny guys" may involve different options - and sowing flowers with seeds for seedlings, and sowing them directly into the open ground. If you live in climatic conditions, where in May the soil temperature warms up to 10 ° C, you can sow flowers immediately on flower beds. But if warm weather comes only closer to summer, it is much more efficient to grow flowers with seedlings, which can be planted in a pre-prepared place in warm weather.

Where and when to plant a plant

The main rule for planting one-year dahlias "Funny guys" is to choose a sunny place that is illuminated by sunlight throughout the day. Thanks to this, the flowers will grow evenly, their stems will be strong, although not high. But if you sow this variety mixture in the shade, then the stems will rush to the sunlight, as a result of which they can stretch up to 70 cm, but they will not give a lush flowering (besides, they will have to be tied up).

dwarf dahlias can grow on any soil, even with low humidity.

The date of sowing seeds depends on how you decided to sow them - for seedlings or directly in open ground. In the first case, the seeds are sown in boxes already at the end of March - beginning of April. They grow in this form until mid-late May, depending on weather conditions, after which the seedlings can be planted in flower beds.

But when sowing in open ground, it is important to wait for the warmth, therefore, seeds are sown only in May, sometimes at the end of April, if the weather favors this. It is necessary to regularly look at the first shoots, cover them at night with the likelihood of frost

How to plant the "Merry Fellows"?

When sowing seeds, they do not need to be pre-soaked or frozen.

The whole process of sowing seeds of dahlia "Funny guys" consists of the following points:

Seeds are placed in a pre-prepared and warmed soil mixture, which can be taken directly from the flower bed, to a depth of 2 cm.
After sowing the seeds, the soil is watered abundantly. If sowing is carried out in boxes, then re-watering may be needed only after 5-7 days.
To stimulate the emergence of seedlings, the flowerbed or boxes with seeds should be covered with a film that can be removed during the day.
The first shoots will appear in 7-10 days. After another week, they can be thinned out.

When planting seedlings, it is very important to bury the root system not very deeply, only 2 cm.The planting of seedlings must be carried out in rows, and since these plants are quite lush, a space of about 30 cm can be left between the rows

Between plants in one row - 20 cm. The same rule must be used when sowing seeds of the dahlia "Funny guys" in the open ground. Sowing seeds so rarely is not worth it, it is better to thin out and transplant the crops later

Planting seedlings must be carried out in rows, and since these plants are quite lush, you can leave a space of about 30 cm between the rows. Between the plants in one row - 20 cm. The same rule must be used when sowing seeds of the dahlia "Funny guys" in open ground ... Sowing seeds so rarely is not worth it, it is better to thin out and transplant the crops later.

After planting, it is recommended to water the seedlings, and cover the soil around them with peat mulch so that moisture in the ground remains as long as possible. All subsequent watering should not be frequent, but you should make them abundant.

Popular varieties of annual dahlias

Dahlia cultivation begins with the choice of planting material, which depends on the wishes and preferences of the gardener.

So, if you need to get the first flowers as early as possible, it is recommended to pay attention to undersized varieties, because the higher the plant, the later it will bloom. The most popular varieties of annual dahlias are:

"Funny boys". It is the most widespread variety of dahlia and is often seen in gardens and city flower beds. It belongs to the dwarf forms, and reaches about 70 cm in height, and got its name due to the varied and bright color of flowers. Flowers of the "Merry Fellows" can be double or semi-double, with petals predominantly cream, yellow and burgundy, stems and leaves are elastic, bright green;
Figaro. A compact plant, no higher than 30 cm in height, but its small size is more than offset by a lot of advantages. Firstly, this variety is the earliest of all annual varieties of dahlia, and, secondly, its flowers are distinguished by an unusually bright, intense color;
Unwins Dry Highbreads. Low, up to 60-70 cm plants with semi-double flowers of various shades. The bushes are sprawling, with dense foliage, the color of which can vary from pale green to purple. Up to 10 inflorescences can bloom on one bush at the same time;
"Pompon Mix". Plants have rather tall (70-120 cm) stems with graceful small flowers, which in appearance slightly resemble pompons. At least 16 plants bloom on one bush at the same time, and on some of them their number can reach 40. Flowers of this variety are long and well preserved, therefore it is especially recommended to grow it for subsequent cutting;
"Hast Dandy". A mixture of low (35-55 cm) dahlias, which are of the collar type. The bushes are dense, with a lot of foliage, on which 6 to 15 flowers can bloom at the same time. The petals are red, crimson or purple in color and have a small white border inside. The variety is suitable for creating flower beds and flower borders, growing in containers and for cutting.

Landing

The most practiced by gardeners way of growing annual dahlias is planting in open ground with seedlings. But first, you need to choose a place where annual dahlias will grow, and carry out certain events.

Planting site selection and soil preparation

It is recommended to plant dahlia seedlings in a lighted place, and soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction should prevail in the selected area.During preparation, it is necessary to dig up the area, while simultaneously introducing humus into the soil. To make the soil looser, sand is added to it.

Landing features

Experienced gardeners most often grow annual dahlias by planting seedlings. And it is no coincidence that they do this, because they know that in this case the first flowers will begin to bloom in June. Thus, the whole process can be described in two stages:

first, boxes with soil are prepared in which seedlings are grown;
when the weather is favorable, young plants are transplanted into open ground.

It is recommended to fill the seed containers with a mixture made from peat, sand and perlite. Water the soil thoroughly before sowing seeds. If plastic containers were chosen for growing seedlings, then holes need to be made in them. After placing the seeds on the surface of the soil, they are sprinkled with a mixture of sand and soil

After that, the crops must be carefully watered from a spray bottle.

Usually the process of growing seedlings takes place without any complications. Seeds are distinguished by excellent germination, and young plants quickly take root after picking.

However, it should be borne in mind that watering should be moderate, otherwise, due to waterlogging of the soil, the seedlings may get sick.

It is possible to plan sowing seeds for seedlings at different times, but it is preferable to do this between March and April.

when the seeds are sown, the containers must be covered with glass or plastic, after which they are transferred to a bright, warm place. You don't have to wait long for seed germination. The first shoots appear in two to three days. When the seeds begin to germinate, the shelter is removed, but this is not done immediately, but as new seedlings appear;
when the seedlings become stronger, a pick is carried out into individual pots. Moreover, it must be planted in such a way that the first leaves are at the level of the soil. For a pick, it is necessary to use a special planting soil, for the preparation of which sand and peat are used, which are mixed with turf soil in an amount of at least half of the total volume;
when the dahlias successfully endure the pick, they begin to carry out top dressing, for which they use any complex fertilizers. However, given that seedlings are planned to be fed, they need to be applied in half the dose. After a while, you will need to pinch above the fourth pair of leaves;
when the last wave of spring frosts passes, they begin to plant seedlings in a permanent place;
the plant should be placed no closer than 30-60 cm from each other. However, this interval is determined taking into account the size of the seedlings.

It is possible to increase the survival rate of seedlings if in the first days it is kept under cover. To do this, you can use a special thin covering material or, which is more often practiced by most gardeners, dark plastic bottles in which holes must be made for air to enter.

In the conditions of the middle zone of our country, it is best to sow seeds in open ground at the end of May. With a greater delay in sowing, the first dahlia flowers will bloom no earlier than in August. After sowing, the bed must be covered with plastic wrap, which is not removed until shoots appear.

Sowing dahlia into the soil

Despite the later subsequent flowering, sowing dahlia seeds directly at the growing site remains the most popular, and perhaps the easiest way to grow annual dahlias. By simplifying the growing process as much as possible, the option of sowing dahlias in the soil allows you to get adapted, strong, blooming dahlias towards the end of summer, well adapted to the conditions of the growing area.In the middle lane, this method requires a more careful selection of varieties with the shortest growing season, which can bloom 2 months after sowing (otherwise flowering may be very late, you may not enjoy it at all).

When choosing a place for annual dahlias, it is worth remembering their extreme love of the sun. Warm, sunny, sheltered areas will allow these plants to fully reveal their beauty. Annual dahlias will not die in partial shade, but abundant long flowering can be observed only in bright areas. Dahlias grow better in nutritious high-quality loams, but they adapt very well to other weakly acidic or neutral, loose, fertile soils. The main thing is to prepare the site for sowing in advance, adding organic (compost, but not manure) and mineral fertilizers, wood ash to the soil, and properly processing the soil.

The timing of sowing in the ground is determined only by the peculiarities of the weather. Dahlias are cold-resistant, but still not frost-resistant, so you should not rush to sow them in the soil. Traditionally, dahlias are sown in May, in favorable weather - at the beginning or middle of the month, in the middle lane - in the third decade. It is better to focus on forecasts for each individual season and wait for the time when the weather is stable and warm.

There is nothing complicated in sowing dahlias:

The surface of the "bed" for sowing dahlia is leveled. Shallow grooves are created at a distance of 20-30 cm. In a small area, sowing can be carried out in individual holes located at the optimal distance for the selected variety.
Dahlia seeds are laid out less often in prepared rows. Place 2-3 seeds in the holes.
The seeds are carefully covered with soil and the garden is watered abundantly.
If possible, dahlia crops are covered from above with a film that will prevent the soil from drying out, accelerate germination and protect young seedlings. As soon as friendly sprouts appear, the shelter is removed.
The seedlings are allowed to grow stronger and grow within 2 - 3 weeks.

Unlike many annuals, it is not at all necessary to thin out in the classical sense, with the release of weak plants, dahlia seedlings. Excess plants can be planted and used as seedlings without losing a single seedling. Of course, if there are too many seeds and there is no need to save the plants, then a simple pulling out of excess seedlings can be done.

Dahlia seedlings in the open field. Kelly gabrielski

Growing conditions

Before proceeding with the planting of this plant, special care should be taken to provide the proper conditions for their normal growth. First of all, you need to take care of the quality of the soil in which the flowers will be placed.

For successful life and further flowering of "cheerful guys", you should choose a site with the most suitable soil for the plant. The soil must be fertile, moderately moist and have a neutral environment, since excessive acidity will simply kill the plant. In specialized stores, you can find many options for the ideal substrate for growing dahlias, but still not everyone can afford to buy land, especially since the same mixture can be made on their own.

To prepare an ideal substrate, you should prepare fertile black soil, well-heated sand, peat and humus. Any other organic fertilizer can be used instead of the latter.

It is very important to keep the proportions. All parts must be in equal quantities

Immediately before planting, the soil should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect the plant from pests and numerous diseases.

After preparing the soil, the ideal site should be selected. "Funny guys" grow very quickly and magnificently. Despite their low height, the shrubs take up a huge area. There should be an interval of one meter or more between individual bushes.This variety of dahlias is quite thermophilic. From time to time, the "funny guys" endure excessive drought, so in no case should the tubers be planted in a strong shade. Still, professionals advise placing dahlias along the house or fence. They will serve to protect the plant from excessive wind and drafts, which it does not like.

The "funny guys" require adequate watering, especially during the summer season. Still, overzealousness is also not worth it. If the plant can survive drought and extreme heat, then stagnation of water in the roots - never. Professionals are convinced that only one watering per week is enough for this variety of dahlia. On very hot days, you can water twice as often. It is imperative to weed the soil where the dahlias grow. This will not only remove all harmful weeds, but also slightly loosen the soil, which will allow the root system to receive more oxygen and moisture.

Dahlia breeding features

Confusion over the classification of dahlias often leads to the fact that annual dahlias are considered to be one or more separate species of the genus Dahlia. In fact, we are talking more about a special way of cultivation and agricultural technology. Annual dahlias are any dahlias that are grown from seeds and do not preserve for the winter, but are cultivated purely as annual plants, the same garden or changeable dahlias that are grown with digging for the winter in a perennial culture. Species dahlias today are almost never found in culture, and even if dahlias were bred specifically for cultivation from seeds, we are talking about complex hybrids, the origin of which is almost impossible to determine. But as a result of long-term selection, annual dahlias that are better suited for growing in pots and containers of medium-sized plants stand out against the background of their perennial competitors for their abundance, flowering duration and their compact size.

Annual dahlias (on seed packages can simply be designated as Dahlia, Dahlia hybrids, Dahlia x hybridum, Dahlia cultorum, Dahlia pinnata or the outdated synonym Dahlia variabilis) are quite powerful, but not large, flowering herbaceous plants. Their roots are thickened, fleshy, even when grown from seeds at the end of the season, tuberous "cones" are formed. Most modern varieties range in height from 20 to 50 cm, although a large selection of seeds allows you to find higher options. Dahlias are characterized by branched, hollow inside, straight and rigid stems. The leaves are densely set, opposite, large, feathery or whole, broadly lanceolate or rhomboid, with a rarely serrated "jagged" edge. The edge is an optional but common characteristic of dahlia leaves. The color of the leaves varies depending on the variety, but it is usually quite bright. Typical for representatives of the genus Dahlia (Dahlia) inflorescence baskets consist of large reed and small tubular flowers. The degree of doubleness of the flower, color, size fluctuate depending on varietal characteristics.

Annual dahlias in garden design

Annual dahlias bloom from the middle of summer, continuing their parade until they suffer from the first strong frosts. A period of at least 50-60 days usually elapses from sowing to flowering.

It is worth paying special attention to the duration of the growing season and the timing of flowering: despite the fact that annual dahlias tend to bloom earlier in low-growing forms and later in higher ones, in modern varieties this rule is sometimes violated

All annual dahlias reproduce in the same way. Today it is customary to divide dahlias into dwarf or balcony varieties and "ordinary" or garden dahlias. The name of the legendary variety "Merry Boys" has long become synonymous with any annual dahlias, but the range of this variety is far from being limited.According to the technique of growing from seeds, representatives of different varieties, groups and classes of dahlias do not differ among themselves.

Methods for growing annual dahlias:

Sowing into soil.
Sowing seedlings

Germination of dahlia seeds.