Dahlias are flowers native to Mexico. Nowadays they can often be found in summer cottages. Due to the variety of shapes and bright colors, dahlias are especially popular among gardeners. A large selection of species and varieties provides gardeners with the opportunity to choose them to suit any design. Dahlias that bloom for a long time can decorate any flowerbed, and even a flowerpot, and look luxurious at the same time.
In this article we will look at the main types and varieties of dahlias, we will look at how to prepare planting material, as well as the place and soil for planting, and of course the basic rules for caring for these flowers.
Peculiarities
Large-flowered variety Myrtle's Folly
Dahlias are a genus of herbaceous plants in the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family. Under natural conditions, these perennials grow in the mountainous regions of Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala.
Dahlias are characterized by long and lush flowering. Almost the entire color palette is present in the color of the inflorescences, with the exception of blue and light blue shades.
Dahlias blooming
Dahlias are perennials that do not overwinter in open ground.
Every year, the above-ground part of these plants with hollow stems and feathery leaves dies. The underground part consists of large cone-shaped tubers connected to the root collar, on which vegetative buds are located.
These buds are absent on the tubers themselves, so the death of the neck leads to the death of the entire plant. For the winter, the tubers need to be dug out of the ground and stored indoors.
Grouping varieties according to cultivation purposes and agricultural technology
Depending on the growing methods and requirements for care, the following groups of dahlias can be distinguished:
- perennials and for one season;
- light-loving and tolerant of partial shade;
- requiring garter and stable.
You can grow the variety you like from seeds or tubers. Read more about the advantages of one and the other methods in the article “How to choose high-quality dahlia planting material.”
Varieties of annual dahlias bloom earlier and more intensely than perennials. They are unpretentious and do not create problems with storing tubers for the winter. But if you don’t like messing around with seedlings, we’ll tell you how to grow varieties of annual dahlias as perennials . To do this, the root, which has not had time to acquire nodules, is dug up in the fall with a clod of earth, dried and stored in the basement in a wooden box. The overwintered root system is planted in the garden in May.
IN THE PHOTO: Annual dahlias do not have time to form tubers, but the roots of annuals, if properly stored, are quite suitable for planting next year.
Perennials reach full bloom only in the second or even third year. To speed up the process of growing up, you should carefully study the question of how to care for dahlias.
Short description
Dahlias
- Location . Dahlias are heat-loving plants. They grow well in sunny areas, protected from cold winds, with good air circulation. Low and wetlands are not suitable for planting dahlias in open ground.
- Illumination . The area should be well lit during the day for at least 6 hours
- Watering . It is necessary to water abundantly, but the soil should not be waterlogged. Dahlias do not tolerate either stagnant moisture or drought.
- Feeding . Organic or mineral fertilizers are applied 1-2 times a month
- Soil . Any soil is suitable for dahlias, but the best option is rich garden loam enriched with humus. Fertilized sandy soil is also suitable.
- Reproduction . By dividing tubers, cuttings, grafting or seeds
- Bloom . For different varieties - from July to late autumn
- Pests . Aphids, slugs, earwigs, caterpillars, thrips, horse flies, cutworms
- Diseases . Mold, fungal diseases, viral mosaic, powdery mildew, fusarium, gray mold, leaf spot
- Appearance care . It is necessary to remove faded flowers, stepsons and fading lower leaves
- Usage. Dahlias are used to create borders, flower beds and flower arrangements. Most varieties are used in free compositions and group plantings in flower beds. Dwarf varieties can be grown in pots and containers. Plants with long and strong flower stems are ideal for cutting
The use of dahlias in garden design
To decorate the edges of flower beds, miniature plants are planted. Border dahlias 'Berliner Cleene' with delicate pink flowers are used to create floral designs along sidewalks. For contrast, take salmon-colored 'Margareth Cleene' and light plum 'Blusette'. Border dahlias 'Gallery' are a mixture of seeds from plants in rich and pastel colors.
Low growing varieties with large flowers, such as cactus dahlias , are often grown in containers or as a potted plant.
Where to plant tall varieties? They look great as a single bush. They are often planted in a group in a sunny place along a continuous fence that protects from sharp gusts of wind.
IN THE PHOTO: A hedge of tall dahlias as a way to design a garden path.
It is recommended to grow varieties for cutting, the buds of which remain fresh in a vase for at least a week.
Reproduction
Flower garden with dahlias
Dahlias are propagated by dividing tubers, cuttings, grafting (rarely) or seeds. The peculiarity of these perennials is that with any of the propagation methods, the plants bloom in the first year.
When propagated by seed, the inflorescences of most new plants are of poor quality. During vegetative propagation, all qualities are transferred from the mother plants, so let’s take a closer look at these methods.
Tuber division
Healthy tubers
The division of tubers is carried out after their preliminary germination, shortly before planting in open ground. To germinate, they are transferred from storage to a warm, bright room, for example, in a greenhouse, and boxes are used that are filled with sawdust with a layer of 5-6 cm. Tubers are laid out on them, covered with sawdust up to the root collar and regularly watered with warm water.
The air temperature must be maintained within 16-20 degrees.
For propagation, well-developed young tubers without signs of infection with viral, fungal and bacterial diseases are used.
As soon as the buds wake up and sprout, the tubers need to be removed from the sawdust and divided into parts. They do it as follows.
Using a sharp garden knife, cut the root collar lengthwise so that each separated part has tubers and at least two or three eyes. The sections are sprinkled with charcoal powder, crushed sulfur or treated with brilliant green.
Bush with awakened buds
Depending on the size and number of awakened eyes, each bush can be cut into 3-6 parts.
The separated tubers are kept for 2-3 days, and then placed again in sawdust for further germination or, if the time has come for planting dahlias in the spring, they are planted in open ground. As a rule, dahlia tubers are sprouted in April, less often in March.
Dividing the bush
You can start germinating dahlias in March in boxes, pots or containers; such plants have time to set buds before they are planted in the ground. Plants must be replanted from pots carefully so as not to destroy the earthen ball.
Cuttings
Cuttings are cut with a sharp knife
This is the most productive method of propagating dahlias. The healthiest and most viable queen cells are selected for cuttings. With this method, the tubers begin to pre-germinate in February. Before the eyes awaken and shoots 1-2 cm long develop, plants can be kept in limited light conditions at an air temperature of 20-25 °C.
For further growth of shoots, plants require maximum illumination and a decrease in air temperature to 12-15 °C. At this time, watering of the queen cells is stopped, and frequent moderate spraying is carried out instead. This reduces the growth rate of shoots and prevents them from stretching.
When the sprouts reach 5-7 cm and form 2-3 pairs of leaves, they are carefully broken off or cut with a knife. Dense shoots with shortened internodes take root faster and better. Plants that develop from such cuttings begin to form high-quality tubers at an earlier date.
Cuttings with the so-called “heel” take root best, that is, cut so that on each there remains a piece of the root collar with a sprout. Cuttings without a “heel” root slowly and form inferior tubers - long and thin. In winter, such tubers may die.
Cutting separated from the mother plant
In place of the cut sprouts, new ones soon grow, but they are less suitable for reproduction. Therefore, as a rule, no more than 2-3 cuttings are taken from one place. For rooting, cuttings are planted in cups or boxes filled with a 7-8 cm layer of ordinary garden soil, on top of which a 2-3 cm layer of well-washed coarse sand is poured.
Planting a cutting
Before planting dahlia cuttings in boxes, water the soil generously with warm water. The cuttings are planted to a depth of 2-3 cm, making a distance between them of 5 cm. Plantings should not be thickened, as this leads to plant loss. The seedlings are sprayed with water, the boxes are covered with glass or film and shaded with white paper from direct sunlight. However, it should be remembered that sufficient light intensity is needed for root formation.
When planting cuttings, do not forget to sign the name of the variety
In addition to varietal characteristics, the rate of formation of the root system depends on the timing of cuttings. When cutting in January-February, 25-30 days are needed for rooting, when cutting in March - 15-20 days, and in April - 6-8 days.
The soil temperature for the first 7-10 days should be maintained within 20-22 °C, and the air temperature should be 17-19 °C. After 7-10 days, the paper is removed from the glass. For 5-7 days, the boxes are regularly ventilated by moving the glass, and then it is removed completely. Drafts should be avoided. After 10 days, the substrate temperature is reduced to 17-18 °C, and the air temperature to 14-15 °C. This will avoid creating imbalances in the development of roots or vegetative mass.
Dahlia cuttings in cups
Rooted cuttings are transplanted into pots or cups with a diameter of 9 centimeters. After picking into small containers, young plants form round compact tubers. If the plants are left in boxes until planted in the ground, the tubers will be of poor quality - long and thin.
For rooting, you can also use perlite with a granule size of 3-5 mm. It provides sufficient moisture and air supply necessary for the rapid development of roots. In addition, perlite creates sterile conditions under which cuttings are less susceptible to fungal diseases.
When cuttings in late April - early May, it is better to use a mixture of perlite with well-weathered peat as a substrate. For every part of perlite add 2-3 parts of peat. This contributes to less damage to young roots when transplanting cuttings. This substrate is leveled, lightly compacted and moistened with water.
A young plant transplanted into open ground
It is better to immediately plant the largest cuttings of January and February harvesting dates in pots half filled with fertile soil and with sand on top. In pots, such cuttings take root better and subsequently the plants develop well. Delenki are planted in open ground when the threat of return frosts has passed.
Grouping varieties by flower structure
Based on the structure of the flower, dahlia varieties are divided into the following groups:
- simple/single row;
- anemone-shaped;
- cactus;
- semi-cactus;
- spherical;
- nymphaeal;
- pompons;
- collar;
- decorative.
Single/single row dahlias
This group consists of low-growing bushes with non-double flowers, the petals of which are arranged in one row. The diameter of the blooming dalia is 10 cm.
The following varieties of simple dahlias have become widespread:
'Happy Kiss' is an achievement of Dutch breeders. Flowers of orange color with a slight shade of pink were obtained at the beginning of this century. Rounded light petals frame a dark accented center with bright splashes of golden anthers. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Happy Kiss'.
Variety 'Romeo' - simple, surprisingly bright scarlet flowers decorate the garden until frost. The height of the stems does not exceed 55 cm, the diameter of the flower is standard for this group - 10 cm.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Romeo'.
'Jolly Guys' - the variety is represented by flowers of various bright colors, consisting of one or two rows of rounded petals with a small sharp tucked tip. A height of 30–60 cm allows you to form beautiful borders, arrays and ridges from bushes. If you choose 'Jolly Fellows' dahlias, growing them will not require any effort from you. They are popular because they are unpretentious, drought-resistant and do not require digging up the root system for winter storage. Flowering reaches its maximum in the first year, so these dahlias are grown from seeds as an annual. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Jolly Guys'.
Mixes of simple dahlia seeds of different colors are often available on sale, for example, 'Mignon Mischung' . This mixture is selected from varieties that do not exceed 50 cm in height and bloom with single or semi-double flowers.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Mignon Mischung'.
Anemone dahlias
The stems are decorated with semi-double buds with a diameter of 5 to 10 cm. The middle petals are shortened, often dissected towards the tips. The outer petals create a dramatic frame for the dense center. Most varieties of this group are low-growing - 60–70 cm.
The following varieties of dahlias with anemone-shaped flowers are popular:
'Boogie Woogie' - has an unusual color. The dense center of the flower consists of bright yellow narrow petals, strongly dissected towards the tip. The carved outer edge is deep pink. When cut, the buds remain fresh for up to seven days. 'Boogie-Woogie' blooms from mid-summer until the first days of October. The bush looks great alone and in group plantings.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Boogie Woogie'.
'Lambada' - large semi-double bud painted in two shades. The creamy center of thin and sharp petals is framed by light pink round ones. From July to October there are several waves of flowering, lasting 14 days. A fully blossomed bud turns into a flower up to 15 cm in diameter. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Lambada'.
'El Nino' is a variety with small flower heads of a luxurious burgundy color. The size of each inflorescence does not exceed 10 cm. The height of an adult bush is from 80 cm to one meter. Blooms in July and lasts until the end of October. The stems, despite their height, are quite strong and do not require tying.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'El Nino'.
Cactus dahlias
Double inflorescences of this group of varieties consist of elongated pointed petals rolled into narrow tubes/needles. The structure of the flower resembles a cactus, which gives the group its name. I would like to mention a pleasant feature - during rain, the inflorescences are not weighed down by raindrops and do not droop to the ground. If the petal is strongly dissected from the tip to the center, such a plant is classified as arachnid.
Popular varieties of this group:
'Park Record' - large, up to 18 cm, inflorescences bloom on a dwarf bush not exceeding half a meter in height. The bright, rich orange color of the petals tends towards yellow towards the middle of the flower and turns red at the edges. Recommended for cutting. Cactus dahlias 'Park Record' bloom several times from mid-summer to September. The flowers last on the bush for two weeks. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Park Record'.
'Playa Blanca' - low-growing, up to 50 cm, bushes. During flowering, they are showered with large, fifteen centimeters in diameter, snow-white double flowers made of needle-shaped petals. They last a long time in bouquets, can be grown as a potted plant, and look good in borders and flower beds. Cactus dahlias of the 'Playa Blanca' variety are pleasing to the eye from July to October. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Playa Blanca'.
'Stars Lady' - has white and pink lush needle-shaped buds that look very delicate. The height of the stem is up to 50 cm, which in combination with inflorescences of 15 cm gives a beautiful blooming bouquet. Used for growing borders. They bloom profusely from mid-summer to mid-autumn. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Stars Lady'.
Semi-cactus varieties
This group is an intermediate link between cactus and decorative dahlias. The elongated narrow petals are curled into a tube not along the entire length, but starting from the middle. Blooming double inflorescences reach 25–30 cm in diameter. The bushes are often medium and tall, from 80 cm to one and a half meters.
Prominent representatives of the group of semi-cactus varieties are:
'Aspen' - a sixty-centimeter bush is crowned with white sparkling flowers with a gracefully twisted tip. The size of the inflorescences is small - only 7–10 cm. You can cut 'Aspen' for bouquets from July to September. Flowering is wavy, 2–3 weeks.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Aspen'.
'Mick's Peppermint' is a medium-growing variety, up to 130 cm high. Twenty-centimeter buds of a delicate pink color are dotted with bright pink and purple splashes. Flowering lasts 2–3 weeks and repeats several times per season.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Mick's Peppermint'.
Collared dahlias
This group is distinguished by a special flower structure: the outer row of large petals is covered on top with smaller, thinner and contrasting-colored petals. It is the second row that evokes associations with an openwork collar. Most varieties do not exceed 120 cm in stem height and 10 cm in inflorescence diameter.
'Impression Fabula' is one of the most beautiful varieties of collared dalia. The outer row consists of large petals of a rich lilac color with milky white tips. The inner white row borders the bright yellow center of the flower. A dwarf forty-centimeter bush blooms in early June. The variety 'Impression Fabula' is grown in pots and on lawns, and also cut into bouquets that last a surprisingly long time - more than a week.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Impression Fabula'.
'Collerette Dandy' - is a multi-colored mix of collared dahlias with a bush height of 60 cm and an inflorescence size of up to 9 cm. It blooms in July–October. Those who bought dahlia seeds 'Colaretta Dandy' are grown using seedlings and non-seedlings. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Collerette Dandy'.
Decorative dahlias
The flowers of decorative varieties of dalia are double, consisting of well-developed straight petals, slightly curving towards the edge of the inflorescence. The size of the flower head under favorable conditions reaches 25–35 cm. The colors are very diverse.
The best varieties of decorative dahlias:
'Gallery La Tour' is a low-growing bush with long flowering, bred by breeders in 2007. Flowers ranging in size from 15 to 20 cm bloom from the beginning of summer until frost. Both tubular and reed petals are painted in delicate pink with a lilac tint. The variety is suitable for cutting, growing in pots, decorating flower beds and borders.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Gallery La Tour'.
'Melody Dixie' - 1999 variety. The compact bush does not exceed 60 cm. Petals with a beige center closer to the edge acquire a rich pink tone. The inflorescences are dense, double, reaching 15 cm in diameter. In illuminated areas with light and fertile soils, it blooms profusely from the beginning of summer until the onset of frost.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Melody Dixie'.
Nymphaeum dahlias
Sometimes nymphal varieties are called lotus varieties. They bloom with large flowers, up to 20 cm. The height of the bush reaches 120 cm.
'Fleurel' - due to the length of the shoots and the large weight of the flower heads, it is recommended to plant it in places protected from strong winds and tie it up. The flowers are large, dazzling white, and decorate the landscape until late autumn. It is recommended to plant in a group in a sunny or partial shade location. The variety does not require special care, but requires regular watering and spraying in dry weather conditions. Rarely damaged by pests.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Fleurel'.
Globular dahlias
A group of annual, medium-sized varieties with abundant flowering from summer to cold weather. The inflorescences are dense and spherical, reaching a size of 15 cm.
The best varieties of spherical dahlias:
'Funny Face' - bright yellow flowers with red strokes and splashes bloom on a meter-tall bush. The size of the inflorescences is small - from 8 to 10 cm, but their appearance is very neat and elegant. The petal at the base is rolled up to the middle into a tight tube, opening towards the edge. Blooming in waves lasting two to three weeks ends in September. A bouquet of Funny Face flowers will last at least a week.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Funny Face'.
'Boom Boom Purple' - flower heads 7–10 cm in diameter look very neat. The color is purple, rich and bright. It blooms for 2 weeks with short breaks. The first buds bloom in July, the last ones fade in September. An excellent plant for borders. It is also used in single plantings. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Boom Boom Purple'.
'Marble Ball' - fifteen-centimeter milky-white flowers abundantly dotted with dark purple splashes and streaks. The length of the stems ranges from 80 cm to one meter. The variety is beautiful in single plantings and holds up well when cut.
IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Marble Ball'.
Pompon dahlias
The petals of double inflorescences are neat, slightly bent inward and arranged relative to each other like tiles. The color range of this group is very diverse. The color is heterogeneous, thickens towards the edges or center, giving the flower additional texture.
A striking example of a pompom dahlia variety:
'Sunny Boy' - with a bush height of one meter, the size of the inflorescence reaches 12 cm. The petals are colored rich yellow, scorched with bright orange at the tips and in the center of the bud. Contrastes well with white and red dahlias in complex plantings. The duration of flowering can be increased by organizing good watering and cutting off spent flowers. The variety is disease resistant, unpretentious, and can grow in partial shade. For landing, it is advisable to select windless places. IN THE PHOTO: Variety 'Sunny Boy'.
How to plant dahlias in spring: soil preparation
Digging the soil
The soil for planting dahlias is prepared in the fall. It is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm and left in clods until spring.
In early spring, the site is fertilized with well-decomposed humus (2-3 buckets per 1 sq. m.) and compost (1 bucket per 1 sq. m.). Good results are obtained by adding mineral fertilizers for flowering plants to organic matter at the rate of 50-70 g per 1 square meter. m. After applying fertilizer, the area needs to be dug up again and raked.
Decorative
Dahlias of this species have the largest inflorescences - up to 40 cm in diameter. The height of the bush reaches 2 meters.
The Melody Dixie variety is distinguished by flowering until frost.
The “duet” variety is distinguished by lush flowering and resistance to frost.
The Santa Claus variety is very bright, the flowers are large, the height of the bush is up to one and a half meters.
Planting dahlias with tubers
Planting dahlias in the ground
Dahlia tubers are planted in open ground after the threat of spring frosts has passed and the soil has warmed to a depth of 20-25 cm. To prevent the planted plants from freezing, the shoots can be sprinkled with soil, sawdust or covered with cardboard boxes at night.
When placing plants on a site, take into account their height and color of inflorescences. Varieties with dark flowers look impressive next to light varieties.
Pegs next to grown dahlia bushes
Dahlias are planted in such a way that the soil layer above the root collar does not exceed 5-6 cm. Before planting the tubers, pegs are driven into the bottom of the hole. They are needed in order to tie the stems of adult plants to them in the future. The tubers are leaned against the pegs with their root collars, covered with soil and watered with warm water. You can also attach labels with the names of varieties to the stakes.
Regular
These dahlias have a clearly visible center, most often yellow or brown, with petals in one or two rows. The flowers are small, the height of the plant reaches half a meter.
The Dutch hybrid Happy Single Kiss was bred to be disease resistant.
Variety Yellow Hammer - soft yellow, with thin, almost transparent petals.
The “Merry Guys” variety is drought-resistant and can overwinter directly in the ground.
The Mystic Dreamer variety is soft pink with an orange-brown center.
Caring for dahlias
Watering dahlias
Caring for dahlias after planting in open ground during the growing season is as follows:
- As soon as the shoots reach 30-40 cm, they need to be tied to stakes
- In order for the stems to be stable and the inflorescences to be large, usually no more than 2-3 shoots are left, and the excess ones should be removed
- In many varieties, stepsons are formed in the leaf axils. They need to be pinched at the very beginning of development (pinching)
- Fading lower leaves of plants are cut off
- The lateral buds of the flowering shoot are also removed.
- Further care comes down to weed control, loosening the soil, watering and fertilizing
- It is useful to mulch the soil under dahlias using humus as mulch. In this case, it is enough to water the plants once a week at the rate of one bucket of water per bush
- After the plants bloom, the watering rate should be increased.
- Feeding is a necessary part of caring for dahlias after planting. The first feeding of plants is given a month after planting in the ground. It is especially needed during budding. Dahlias should be fed with organic or mineral fertilizers 1-2 times a month.
- In autumn, it is recommended to protect dahlias from the first frosts with a smoke screen. Thanks to this technique, the plants will continue to bloom until the end of October.
- Dahlias are demanding on soil and air moisture. The soil must be constantly kept moist, avoiding drying out and waterlogging.
- On a hot summer day, moisturizing watering is carried out using a sprinkler or special nozzles. This allows you to increase the air humidity for a short time
- At the end of August - beginning of September, the plants are covered with soil to a depth of 12-15 cm. This protects the bases of the stems from possible damage by low temperatures during frosts
- In varieties with powerful development of the vegetative mass, the lower leaves are plucked off at a level of 30-40 cm. This technique improves air exchange around the plants and prevents the growth of a thick stem at the base of the root collar, which impairs the storage of tubers
Nymphaeal
These dahlias are also called “lotus”. The flowers are double and very large. The height of the bushes is up to 130 cm.
The Fleurel variety loves the sun and needs protection from drafts.
The Silver Years variety is not afraid of cold weather and blooms until frost.
The Bonesta variety is very delicate and does not like drafts and strong winds.
The Le Castel variety is resistant to wintering conditions; the flowers are not large, but there are a lot of them on the bush.
The Brushstrokes variety has bright pink flowers up to 20 cm in diameter.
The Garden Festival variety is very disease resistant, winters well in the ground, and blooms for a long time.
When and how to dig up tubers
In order not to confuse varieties, dahlia tubers need to be labeled
Dahlia tubers are removed from the beds in the fall, after the leaves of the plants turn black from frost. It is better to dig them up in the morning, in dry weather.
Before harvesting, the stems need to be trimmed, leaving about 10-13 cm. When digging up tubers, dahlias should not be held by the remaining part of the stem, so as not to damage the root collar.
The tubers are dug up carefully: on light soils it is better to do this with a pitchfork, and on heavy loamy soils - with a shovel.
The dug up tubers need to be lightly shaken to remove excess soil. They are left in the garden until evening, allowing them to dry. Then, for 7-10 days, the rhizomes are dried in a well-ventilated, dry room. Dried tubers will be stored better.
After drying, the cut stems can be coated with lime solution. This will protect them and the root collar from rotting.
All tubers suspected of having diseases are discarded and destroyed. Damaged, rotten and dead parts are removed. Tubers that received mechanical damage during digging are trimmed and sprinkled with charcoal powder.
Transitional
These dahlias do not have clearly defined characteristics of any particular group. Experts also call them “mixed”.
The Akita variety, although tall, does not require garter.
The Vancouver variety is characterized by long flowering and cold resistance.
Flowers of the Spider Woman variety have long and curled petals, similar to the legs of a spider.
The Rebekka's World variety is distinguished by lush flowering and grows best in a sunny place.
The Procyon variety is very bright and beautiful, the flowers are large, up to 25 cm in diameter.
Storing tubers in winter
Low-growing (border) dahlias
Dahlia tubers are sprinkled with sand and stored in a cool, dry place protected from the cold - for example, in a basement. For storing tubers, the optimal relative air humidity is no higher than 60% and a temperature from 3-5 to 7 °C. The room must be well ventilated to prevent mold from forming.
During the winter, the tubers need to be checked from time to time, the rotten parts should be cut off to healthy tissue, the cuts should be sprinkled with charcoal powder and dried in a warm room for 2-3 days.
Many gardeners complain that in warm basements, dahlia tubers often dry out and die. In this case, they should be stored in slightly damp sand. With this storage method, eyes will sprout. This does not cause any particular harm, and sprouts that have reached 10-15 cm should be removed.
Another method of wet storage is as follows. The dug up tubers are washed with water from a hose, and then immersed for several minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate and stored in damp sand. With this storage method, sprouts will also appear, which must be removed periodically.
When to sprout dahlia tubers
Dahlias: planting and care in open ground, description of the 10 most beautiful varieties (100 Photos & Videos) + Reviews
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Gallery
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Berliner Kleene
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In the video, the florist shows popular varieties of dahlias and talks in detail about the parameters and outstanding characteristics of each flower.
Diseases and pests of dahlias
Dahlias
When growing dahlias, gardeners sometimes encounter problems, the solutions to which we will tell you.
1 Flowers open only partially and lean to one side
The cause of this may be horsefly bugs. Confirmation is provided by black spots under the flowers. It is necessary to spray the plants with a systemic insecticide.
2 The plant appears weak and is growing slowly
This may be due to lack of lighting. If the bushes are growing in containers in shaded areas, place them in a brighter place.
3 Young plants turn yellow
Yellowing of the foliage is possible due to waterlogging. If low-growing dahlias are growing in pots, you should check the drainage holes to avoid stagnant water.
Dahlia leaves have turned yellow
4 A gray coating appeared on the flowers
This is a mold that requires plants to be sprayed with a fungicide.
5 Silvery stripes are visible on the leaves, flowers are damaged
Small insects - thrips - can fly around the plants. To get rid of them, you should spray the plants with an insecticide.
6 The young plant turns yellow, the leaves are pale, but the soil is not waterlogged
Perhaps the plant needs feeding. Apply fertilizer every 10 days. You can shorten the interval between fertilizing, but the concentration of fertilizers should not be increased.
7 Round-shaped damage was found on the leaves, flower buds were eaten away
Plants are damaged by caterpillars. Carefully inspect the bushes, collect insects and destroy them.
The dahlias have turned black
8 Young plants have turned black
Blackening occurs if the bushes have been damaged by frost. In spring, it is imperative to protect dahlias from low temperatures.
9 Small spots appear on young plants, which gradually increase
This develops sooty mold - a fungal disease. Every week you need to spray the plants with Bordeaux mixture from a spray bottle until it is clear.
10 Round-shaped damage and small holes in the petals appear on dahlia leaves.
The plant was damaged by earwigs. It is necessary to treat the soil with a solution of karbofos.
11 Leaves, flowers and buds are eaten away, small holes and traces of mucus are visible on them
Such damage is caused by slugs or snails. It is recommended to place anti-slug preparations around the plants, using them according to the instructions.
Dahlia pests
12 Small insects are visible on shoots, buds and flowers
These pests are aphids. Spray the plants with a solution of karbofos every week until it is clear of aphids.
13 The flowers have drooped
This happens when the soil is too dry. You need to water the plants immediately. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
Thematic video:
How to plant dahlias / Proper planting of dahlias
Dahlias: planting and care in open ground, description of the 10 most beautiful varieties (100 Photos & Videos) + Reviews
DAHLIA / How to SAVE until spring, how to DIVIDE and how to PLANT correctly
Dahlias: planting and care in open ground, description of the 10 most beautiful varieties (100 Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Formation of a bush of perennial dahlias
To get a beautiful bush of perennial dahlias, it is necessary to periodically carry out care and pruning. The best way to obtain large inflorescences is to trim off excess shoots. You can only leave 3-4. It is imperative to remove faded buds so that they do not interfere with the flowering of others.
Also, the lower shoots of tall dahlia varieties need to be removed. They can later be used as cuttings for planting. Also, all perennial dahlias need support, so they need to be tied up as the flowers grow.
Varieties
Needle dahlias
The number of varieties is so large that dahlias are divided into groups according to the shape of the flowers. Plants from the “minion” group are varieties with simple flowers.
Among them there are miniature forms with a bush height of less than 30 cm. Peony-shaped and anemone-shaped dahlias, together with collared dahlias, belong to the group of semi-double ones.
Today there are several tens of thousands of varieties of this perennial plant.
Terry dahlias do not have a core - it consists entirely of flower tongues. In cactus (needle-shaped) varieties, these tongues are long and pointed. In spherical, pompom-shaped and nymphal dahlias, the tongues are folded like a spoon and give the flower a neat ball shape.
Collar
The subspecies received its name due to the special arrangement of the flower petals. They are large at the edges and smaller closer to the center, usually of a different color. The height of the bushes reaches 120 cm.
The Impression Fabula variety is distinguished by its short stature. Its height is no more than half a meter. Prefers bright sunny places.
The Collarette Dandy color mixture blooms for a very long time - from the beginning of July to the end of October.
The Night Butterfly variety is two-colored and looks beautiful in bouquets.
The Pooh variety is unpretentious to wintering conditions.
The Jocondo variety has particularly brightly colored flowers.
Preparing perennial dahlias for winter storage
Immediately discard tubers that are rotten or have deep passages going inside: you will never guess who might be sitting in the depths of this passage. Discard single tubers without roots. The likelihood that they will grow again is very low. It is better to dig with a pitchfork so as not to accidentally cut them.
Simply pry up the soil with a fork and carefully remove the entire tuber clump. Shake off any soil particles. Trim the stem with leaves (they can be sent to the compost heap). Now the tubers need to be dried in the sun during the day. When dry, shake off the soil again.
You can gently wipe them with your hands. Mark what variety or color the dug up dahlias belong to. For example, tie a string with a plastic or wooden tag to the tubers. The remaining stems of dahlias should be no more than 3 cm so that they do not begin to rot in winter.
A large cardboard box is suitable for storing dahlias. Place the tubers in it at a distance from each other to prevent infection. If any of the tubers begin to rot.
Sprinkle the tubers with peat. If the box allows, you can add another layer of tubers with peat. Instead of peat, you can use sawdust or feed pellets. The medium used should protect the tubers from drying out and excessive moisture.
That's it - the dahlias are ready for winter. They should be stored in a cool place where there is no frost (for example, in a caisson or cellar), but many people also store them in the refrigerator. This type of storage can happen, but you should always understand that modern refrigerators dry out the air and this can affect the bulbs.
