Dahlia pompom terry ball cultivation from seeds. Growing seedlings of annual dahlias

Dahlias (lat. Dahlia) from the aster family. This is one of the most beautiful and long-blooming garden flowers, represented by the widest palette of colors and variety of forms. They bloom from July until frost. In addition to the variety of forms, dahlias are also distinguished by a variety of colors, and there is even a black dahlia, or rather, a red-black one, which appeared due to the accumulation of a large amount of anthocyanin pigments in the plant.

The shapes, colors and varieties of dahlias are so diverse that they can be used to decorate not only flower beds, but also border lines, as well as solo, even potted plants. Dahlias are dazzlingly beautiful, but at the same time completely unpretentious. The main thing that is required for them successful growth and lush flowering- choose the right landing site, ensure required composition soil, timely watering and feed. You need to buy seedlings no earlier than mid-spring, and the tubers should be fleshy and strong, with already noticeable, but not tall sprouts. Soft or dry tuber is better not to take.

Dahlias growing from seeds

Growing dahlias involves labor-intensive digging and responsible storage of tubers, but if these chores scare you, you can grow annual dahlias from seed. Annual dahlias are just as beautiful and unpretentious in culture as perennial ones, and their choice is quite wide: Coltness Hybrids up to 50 cm high with abundant non-double flowers of various colors; bronze leaf redskin ; terry small Rigoletto ; early Figaro ... You can buy seeds and sow them in open ground in mid-May, but then they will bloom only by mid-August. If you want to achieve more early flowering you have to germinate the seeds.

To do this, in early April, you will need to sow dahlia seeds in greenhouses or plastic containers, using calcined sand as soil: seeds are poured onto a layer of sand, which are again sprinkled with sand on top, moistened well and covered with transparent polyethylene. It takes about ten days to germinate the seeds at a temperature of 25-27 ° C, then the sprouts need to dive into separate pots. The soil mixture should be moisture-intensive and loose, you can buy it, or you can cook it: one part of peat and sand and two parts leaf ground. Three days before picking, the soil must be treated with a hot solution of potassium permanganate (70 °) of a dark pink color. After picking, the seedlings are watered as the soil dries. In mid-May, it can be planted in the ground.

Dahlias planting in open ground

You need to start preparing by choosing a landing site. The dahlia flower hates drafts, but requires a well-ventilated and lit place, so you need to plant dahlias in a sunny area, protected from the wind. The soil on the site should be well-drained, permeable and nutritious. Dahlias can grow in soil with a lack or excess of acidity, but a slightly acidic or neutral environment will be optimal for them. If the soil in the area is too acidic (pH 5-4), add slaked lime, if the pH is more than 8.5, you can "acidify" the soil with peat.

While the autumn favorites of perennial dahlias hold their unshakable positions, the former popularity of annual dahlias begins to return again. Easy to grow, unpretentious, these "alternative" dahlias allow you to grow with minimal effort bright decoration garden and potted compositions. Growing dahlias from seeds, allowing you to admire the annual form of your loved one garden plant, even for beginners. After all, this is one of the easiest crops for sowing seedlings and soil.

Growing dahlias from seeds. © Eric Booth's

• Self-collection of dahlia seeds and their selection for sowing
• Sowing dahlias in the soil
• Growing dahlia seedlings
• Caring for young dahlia plants
• Growing perennial dahlias from seeds

Features of propagation of dahlia seeds

Confusion with the classification of dahlias often leads to the fact that annual dahlias are considered to be one or more certain types genus Dahlia (Dahlia). In fact, it is more about a special method of cultivation and agricultural technology. Annual dahlias are any dahlias that are grown from seeds and are not stored for the winter., but are cultivated purely as annuals, the same garden or variable dahlias that are grown with digging for the winter in a perennial crop. Species dahlias are almost never found in culture today, and even if dahlias were bred specifically for growing 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 of medium-sized plants better suited for growing in pots and containers, annual dahlias stand out clearly from their perennial competitors in abundance, flowering time and their compact size.

Annual dahlias (on seed packages may be simply referred to as Dahlia, Dahlia hybrids, Dahlia x hybridum, Dahlia cultorum, Dahlia pinnata or the outdated synonym Dahlia variabilis) - quite powerful, but not large, beautifully flowering herbaceous plants. Their roots are thickened, fleshy, even when grown from seeds at the end of the season, tuberous "cones" are formed. In most modern varieties, the height ranges from 20 to 50 cm, although big choice seeds allows you to find more high options. Dahlias are characterized by branched, hollow inside, straight and stiff stems. The leaves are set densely, oppositely arranged, large, pinnate or entire, broadly lanceolate or rhomboid with a rarely serrate "toothed" edge. The edge is an optional but common characteristic of dahlia leaves. The color of the leaves varies depending on the variety, but usually it is quite bright. Typical for representatives of the genus Dahlia (Dahlia) baskets of inflorescences consist of large reed and small tubular flowers. The degree of doubleness of the flower, color, size fluctuate depending on the varietal characteristics.

Annual dahlias bloom from mid-summer, continuing their parade until they suffer from the first severe frosts. From sowing to flowering usually takes a period of at least 50-60 days. For the duration of the growing season and the timing of flowering should be paid Special attention: despite the fact that annual dahlias have a tendency to bloom earlier in low-growing forms and late in taller ones, this rule is still sometimes violated in modern varieties.

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

Methods for growing annual dahlias:

1. Sowing in the soil.
2. Sowing for seedlings

Germination of dahlia seeds. © Carol LimSelf-collection of dahlia seeds and their selection for sowing

Abundant fruiting is one of the reasons why annual dahlias are considered easy to grow and "budget" plants, a great alternative to perennial crops. After flowering is completed, fruit achenes ripen, from which, after drying, you can get bountiful harvest seeds. And although they will give offspring with a wide range of characteristics and will not allow you to accurately preserve the characteristics of the mother plant, nevertheless, self-collection of seeds is very popular.

On average, you can collect seeds from the bushes already a month after the flowering of the baskets, cutting the achenes whole. Dry the dahlia baskets in a ventilated and dry place under normal room temperatures. You can remove the seeds only after the achene is completely dry.

You can also store dahlia seeds at room temperature. heat and high humidity, like light - these are indicators from which they should be protected. Dahlia seeds are perfectly preserved in simple paper bags.

When buying dahlia seeds in a store, you should pay attention to three parameters:

1. On the terry inflorescences.
2. Color nuances.
3. To plant height (the higher the variety, the longer the growing season and the limited possibilities its use in garden design).

Dahlias can hardly be called elite plants, their seeds are available and are found everywhere. In choise quality seeds enough to exercise the usual care. If you are buying rare varieties and mixtures or new varieties, then it is better to choose producers who have proven themselves well with other novelty plants. When choosing seeds, pay close attention to the recommended uses, especially if you want to grow dahlias in borders or containers rather than in flower beds.

Sowing dahlias in the soil

Despite the later subsequent flowering, sowing dahlia seeds directly at the place of cultivation remains the most popular, and perhaps the most in a simple way growing annual dahlias. 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 place. In the middle lane, this method requires a more careful selection of varieties with the shortest growing season that can bloom 2 months after sowing (otherwise, flowering may be very late, it may not be enjoyed at all).

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

The timing of sowing in the ground is determined only by the characteristics 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, with favorable weather - at the beginning or middle of the month, in the middle lane - in the third decade. It is better to focus on the forecasts for each individual season and wait until the weather is stable and warm.

There is nothing complicated in sowing dahlias:

1. The surface of the "bed" for sowing dahlias is leveled. At a distance of 20-30 cm, shallow grooves are created. In a small area, sowing can be carried out in individual holes located on optimal distance for the selected variety.
2. Dahlia seeds are laid out less often in prepared rows. 2-3 seeds are laid out in the wells.
3. Seeds are carefully covered with soil and watered abundantly.
4. If possible, dahlia crops are covered with a film from above, which will not allow the soil to dry out, accelerate germination and protect young shoots. As soon as friendly sprouts appear, the shelter is removed.
5. Seedlings are allowed to grow stronger and grow within 2 to 3 weeks.

Unlike many annuals, it is not at all necessary to thin out in the classical sense, with the release of weak plants, seedlings of dahlias. Excess plants can be transplanted 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 also be carried out.

Seedlings of dahlias in open ground. © Kelly GabrielskiGrowing dahlia seedlings

Dahlias in an annual culture are often called too simple plant in order to complicate their garden life by growing their seedlings. After all, when grown by sowing directly into the soil, dahlias bloom magnificently and justify their autumn reputation. But if you want to get an earlier flowering, starting not in August, but in July or even June, enjoy a full long flowering in conditions middle lane or acquired rare varieties that have special value and perspective, then you can use the classic seedling method.

Soil and containers for sowing dahlias

Dahlias are traditionally sown in large, low containers or boxes. Drainage holes are a must. You can sow not in pots or containers, but in the soil of greenhouses or greenhouses.

For growing dahlia seedlings any will do universal substrate suitable for growing vegetables and flower seedling. Light, loose and medium-nutrient soil mixture with high water permeability can also be mixed independently. Peat with sand in a ratio of 3 to 1 is also suitable for sowing seeds (but not for diving). It is better to disinfect the soil before sowing seeds. In addition to the substrate, it is better to prepare drainage in advance for growing dahlia seedlings (at least calcined sand).

Sowing dahlia seeds

Seeds of dahlias for seedlings are sown in April, with a favorable sunny spring or (when it is possible to provide seedlings with additional lighting) - during March. More early sowing associated with the risk of plant loss due to lack of light.

Before sowing, dahlia seeds, especially those collected on their own, are best treated with fungicides. They can be soaked for several hours in a warm solution of potassium permanganate or treated for 10 minutes in a weak solution of aloe juice or any systemic fungicide. After pre-planting treatment, dahlia seeds must be dried by spreading out on paper or a napkin.

There is nothing complicated in the sowing itself:

1. If the container is not low or the drainage holes are small, a layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom of the container. The containers are filled with prepared soil, without compacting it, but gently leveling and moistening with a spray bottle.
2. The seeds are carefully laid out on the surface of the soil, trying to leave a distance sufficient so that the roots are not damaged during the dive. individual plants(from 3 to 4 cm). Seeds are re-sprayed from a small spray bottle.
3. Seeds are covered from above thin layer soil or sand (thickness from 3 to 5 mm). It is better to use a sifted substrate.
4. The containers are covered with glass or film on top.

Conditions for germination of dahlia seeds

It is advisable to set containers with sown dahlia seeds in the brightest possible light. Shoots will also appear at normal room temperatures, but in hot conditions, at an air temperature of 25 degrees, the first shoots appear after 5-6 days.

The containers are aired daily until the first sprouts appear. Shelter from seedlings is removed gradually.

Growing dahlia plants

Fast growing dahlias require regular watering to keep the soil moist. Care must be taken when spraying seedlings, as excessive dampness can lead to loss of seedlings as a result of the spread of diseases. For dahlias, it is necessary to maintain the brightest possible lighting.

Diving dahlia seedlings and caring for young plants

Thanks to active growth Dahlia seedlings can be dived already 10-15 days after the appearance of the first shoots. Dahlia seedlings are best dived into individual containers. If possible, peat pots or such containers are used for these plants, which can be removed from the plant without destroying the earthen coma. Dive is carried out at the stage of 2 - 3 true leaves, trying not to contact the roots. If the shoots are stretched out, you can deepen them to the first (cotyledonous) leaves. After transplanting, it is advisable to water the seedlings with weak fungicide solutions to prevent diseases.

Caring for young dahlia seedlings comes down to regular, careful watering, which does not allow waterlogging of the soil or its complete drying. Top dressing for dahlias is usually not carried out, but to speed up adaptation before transplanting, you can add a growth and rooting accelerator to the water for irrigation. If plants are grown for potted garden, then you can start feeding from the second or third week after diving to accelerate growth and flowering. Pinching the tops allows you to stimulate the growth of side shoots. For container culture, pinching is carried out over 4-5 pairs of leaves. Stepchildren are not removed from annual dahlias.

Seedlings of dahlia seeds sown for seedlings © Juliet Rice

Hardening off dahlia seedlings

For dahlias, it is important to first adapt the plants to the abundance of fresh air and conditions in the garden. Seedlings are hardened for at least 1-2 weeks, starting to take out plants for Fresh air afternoon since the beginning of May.

How to grow dahlias from seeds

Dahlias from seeds are annual crops, low, compact, blooming earlier perennial species. They are distinguished by a short growing season, abundant flowering and unpretentiousness.

cultivation

Annual dahlias require less attention and care than perennial ones. Seeds are sown in open ground or for seedlings, followed by planting on the site. In autumn, with the onset of frost, the plant is harvested. Perennial species require digging and storage in special conditions.

Source: Depositphotos

Dahlias grown from seeds remain decorative until late autumn.

Dahlias are warm and light-loving cultures. They prefer free areas, lit by the sun, closed from drafts. They are undemanding to the soil, but bloom profusely on fertile neutral soils.

Varieties suitable for seed propagation:

• Funny boys;
• Figaro;
• Opera;
• Bambino etc.

The plant reaches 30-50 cm in height, has simple, double or needle-shaped inflorescences of different colors from white to almost black. In landscaping, it is used in group plantings in the foreground and background.

Landing and care

In order for the dahlia to bloom in mid-summer, seeds must be sown in containers in April. The soil is made up of 1 part sod land and 2 parts of sand and peat. 2 days before sowing, shed the soil with hot solutions of potassium permanganate.

Put the flower seeds on the surface of moist soil and lightly sprinkle with earth, moisten with a spray bottle. Cover the container with polyethylene. Seeds need light and heat to germinate.

Seedling care:

• ventilate seedlings, remove condensate on polyethylene;
• remove the film 7-10 days after germination;
• water as the soil is poured;
• dive into separate containers when 3 sheets appear.

The plant develops even on poor soils, does not require frequent top dressing and is resistant to drought. Take out seedlings for hardening from May to the open air for 10-15 minutes, gradually increasing the time. By the end of May, plant seedlings in open ground at a distance of 20 cm. Put humus and wood ash in each hole.

Young plants need to be weeded and loosen the soil around. In June, before flowering, feed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. In autumn, collect seeds from the best bushes for sowing next year.

Annual dahlia - plentifully flowering plant adapted to the conditions temperate climate. Absolutely unpretentious, stable culture, suitable for planting in the open sun and in partial shade.

Annual dahlias contribute bright colors in autumn days. And caring for them is so simple that only lazy gardener does not grow dahlias on the site.

In addition, having once planted annual dahlias, their tubers can be saved for annual planting. How to do it?

Secrets of planting annual dahlias

Not every gardener knows that flowers grown from seeds form tubers that can be stored until spring. But this must be done correctly, since during storage the tubers can dry out or get sick. You can save the tubers before planting in wet sawdust or sand. Plant boxes are placed in the basement or other cold place before the onset of heat.

But what if you don’t want to store tubers or there are no suitable conditions for this? Dahlias can be cultivated as an annual plant. In a harsh climate, when the cold comes unexpectedly, and there is no time to dig up the tubers, they do just that.

Landing annual dahlias carry out seedlings, which are grown in advance. It is better to start sowing seeds in March or early April.

1. Preparing containers for seedlings. Containers are cleaned of dust and washed in hot water. So that tender shoots do not suffer from excess moisture, be sure to make drainage holes at the bottom of the container.

2. Seed preparation. Dahlia seeds are soaked in a warm growth stimulator solution for 12 hours. This helps speed up the germination process.

3. Soil disinfection. For growing seedlings choose a neutral loose substrate. If garden soil is used, then before planting it must be disinfected in the oven and poured with a solution of potassium permanganate.

4. Sowing seeds. Seedling containers are filled with the prepared substrate, the soil is slightly moistened and the seeds are evenly distributed over it. They are quite large, which will facilitate the process. Sprinkle the seeds with soil.

5. Germination. The container with seeds is covered with glass and removed to the light. Seeds germinate quite quickly, already on the third day you can see the first sprouts.

As soon as a lot of sprouts have appeared, the glass is carefully removed. Further care for seedlings of annual dahlias is simple. Young shoots need regular watering. When the senets release a pair of true leaves, they dive into separate containers. If this is not done, then the bush will only grow upwards.

The picking of seedlings is carried out in separate spacious containers. For transplantation, loose nutrient soil is used. Dahlia seedlings are deepened to cotyledon leaves.

After two weeks, you can carry out the first feeding of seedlings. It is better to choose a complex mineral fertilizer for flower seedlings. After feeding, the sprouts develop quite quickly and need to be pinched. If everything is done correctly, then the seedlings will turn out strong and will easily transfer the transplant to permanent place.

How to care for annual dahlias in the open field

Before planting seedlings in a flower bed, it is important to determine the place of cultivation. Dahlias prefer open sunny areas, which allows them to fully bloom. The soil on the site should be neutral and fairly loose. The bed must be dug up with the addition of mature humus and sand.

Landing dates

Dahlias are very fond of warmth. They are planted in open ground at the end of May, when the last wave of frosts has left. The area for dahlias is leveled and holes are made. The distance between the holes depends on the dahlia variety, as some bushes grow quite tall and lush. The optimal distance is from 30 to 60 cm between the bushes.

After planting, the seedlings are slightly shaded so that they quickly adapt to a new place, and scorching sun did not injure the delicate petals. After a few days, the shelter is removed.

Watering and fertilizing

Annual dahlias are unpretentious flowers that can do without additional dressings, but their flowering will not be so bright. To bloom abundantly, dahlias are grown on fertile soil using complex dressings.

1. The first time the plant is fed two weeks after planting the seedlings. Mullein infusion is used, which is prepared at the rate of 2 buckets of manure per 7 buckets of water. Infuse the mixture for one week. Before watering, the solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 3: 7. For each bush spend up to 2 liters of infusion.

2. The second time dahlias are fed during the budding period. At this point, phosphorus and potassium are most important for the plant. Top dressing is done with a complex mineral fertilizer for flowers.

3. The third time they feed the flowers at the end of August so that the tubers ripen. To do this, they are watered with a solution of potassium sulfate. But if there is no need to store the tuber, then the third dressing can be omitted.

Dahlias are watered often, but very little. The main secret successful cultivation this flower - moistening the soil 25-30 cm deep. If a ground water lie too high, it is necessary to ensure their removal or well-drain the hole when planting.

Pest control

Dahlias can be affected by caterpillars, slugs, fungal diseases and rot.

As a preventive measure, the area for dahlias is well dug up and limed in the fall. This will help to cope not only with the caterpillars, but also protect the plant from Fusarium. Signs of this dangerous disease are the withering of the apical shoots and buds, while the lower shoots turn brown. As soon as the first signs of the disease appear, the bushes are treated with complex preparations against fungal diseases.

In addition, dahlias often suffer from putrefactive diseases if the site for their cultivation is not chosen correctly. The first signs of disease are the wilting of the plant, the appearance of spots on the leaves and shoots. With such symptoms, fungicides are used.

Mistakes gardeners make when growing dahlias

Despite the fact that all growing conditions are met, many gardeners are unhappy with the flowering of dahlias. Flowers bloom poorly, some buds remain underdeveloped. What is the reason?

The thing is that annual dahlias form a lush bush. From each leaf axil, new shoots develop, which bloom over time. This explains the long and abundant flowering dahlia. But in the conditions of Russia, only the central shoot and the upper side shoots. On them, buds form first of all, and they have time to bloom. But their bloom is not very bright. Why is this happening?

The plant spends all its energy on the formation of lower side shoots, which slows down the flowering of the main ones. To prevent this from happening, at the very beginning of development, the plant is regularly stepsoned. Every week, the lower side shoots break out, giving the plant the shape of a bush: a central shoot and 3-4 lateral ones. If this is not done, then the bush grows disheveled, flowering is delayed, some of the buds remain underdeveloped.

Care for tall annual dahlias is somewhat different. In addition to plucking the side shoots, all lower leaves are removed at a height of up to 45 cm.

Annual dahlias, grown according to all the rules, will surely please you with bright and memorable flowering.

A flower garden consisting of dahlias arouses admiration and enjoyment of abundance color palette and variety of flower forms. And this beauty makes the gardener grow seedlings every year so that from June until the very frosts dahlias flaunt in the garden.

And how best to sow seeds, care for seedlings and flowers is discussed in the article.

Dahlias are native to Central America and southern part North. In ancient times, its tubers were used by the natives of the country for food, and long hollow stems were used as water pipes.

This plant came to Europe as vegetable crop, but its taste did not satisfy the high requirements of the Old World. But luxurious flowers fascinated and won the hearts of Europeans. Since then, dahlias have become a favorite decoration of gardens, and varietal diversity there are more than one hundred.

Undoubtedly, dahlias are very beautiful and spectacular flowers, so they play important role in landscape design summer cottages and household plots. But there is one point, because of which they are not grown by all gardeners.

Perennial dahlias require annual autumn harvesting of tubers, because the harsh Russian winters do not leave the plant a chance to keep them in the ground. Moreover, excavated planting material needs to be stored somewhere.

If there is no way to do all this or you just don’t want to, then you can grow dahlias from seeds, like a letnik.

However, a clarification should be made here: annual flower it can be called conditionally, since the dahlia tuber formed over the summer can be dug up in the fall and stored in the cellar for planting next season.

Varieties of annual dahlias with a photo

Dahlias of one year of life are not much different from perennials, and sometimes they win the rivalry. First of all, it concerns the early flowering of low varieties.

stem height annual varieties ranges from 25 to 100 cm, and this expands the possibilities of using a flower in decorating a summer cottage.

Variety Figaro

A compact bush from 35 to 45 cm in height forms a flowering ball, because it grows 30 cm wide. Inflorescences 6-7 cm in diameter will appear on the plant from July until frost. The color of the flower petals can be white, yellow, orange, pink, purple, red or burgundy.

Looks great in containers and flowerpots. It is used in combination with other flyers in flower beds and in mixborders. Serves as a decoration for balconies and open terraces.

It is a mix of flowers of the most diverse colors. Yellow, orange, pink, purple terry inflorescences, up to 12 cm in diameter, will be indispensable in a mixed flower garden and a high border. Single and group plantings of flowers, whose height reaches 60 cm, look spectacular on lawns.

Most famous variety annual dahlias. Plant up to 50 cm tall forms a large number of stems that branch very strongly. Thanks to this, flowering does not stop for a single day. Inflorescences are flat, up to 10 cm in diameter, painted in yellow, white, red and pink colors. Blooming in July, they will bloom until frost.

This variety will please the gardener with bright flowering throughout the summer season. Compact flower, 45 cm high, look good in containers and pots. Well suited for growing in balcony boxes. The color of the petals can be white and pink, yellow and red. And if you pinch the main stem of a plant, you can get a voluminous flowering ball that will not leave indifferent any grower.

Growing seedlings from seeds

When to plant seedlings

Having chosen a variety according to the height of the bush, the size of the inflorescence and its color, the summer resident can safely start sowing them at the beginning of the third decade of March. One and a half - two months of seedlings is enough for development before planting in open ground.

Flower seeds are quite large and it is a pleasure to work with them. However, this circumstance requires large seedling boxes so that the seeds, and subsequently the sprouts, do not interfere with each other.

Sowing

Fertile and loose soil will ensure friendly germination and nutrition of seedlings. It must consist of equal parts sod land, humus and sand. As for other types of seedlings, the soil is disinfected with a solution of manganese, and then sowing is carried out.

• Seeds are placed in grooves cut at least 3 cm apart.
• An interval of 3-4 cm should also be maintained between seeds.
• Crops are sprinkled with a layer of soil, covered with a film and kept at 25 ° C.
• Daily airing is necessary to prevent soil mold.

After about 7 days, shoots will appear, and the seedling container will need to be rearranged on the windowsill, not forgetting to remove the shelter, closer to sunlight. Its deficiency causes stretching and thinning of the stems. Such sprouts are less stable and, simply, can collapse under the weight of the leaves.

In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, seedlings are given large area nutrition. The sprouts are deepened to the cotyledons and moistened. landing tanks, whether they are common boxes or individual pots, should be provided with drainage holes to drain excess water. Waterlogging leads to putrefactive diseases of the root system and the whole plant as a whole.

10-14 days after transplantation, the plant is fed with complex mineral fertilizers, and the rest of the care is timely watering.

At the end of May, a period begins when most of the seedlings from the windowsill move to the dacha. Dahlias will not be an exception, but first they must be hardened. This is the gradual accustoming of seedlings to external weather conditions.

Some gardeners practice the hardening method in the refrigerator, but this option will not be optimal if there are a lot of seedlings. It can be used when flowers are grown in single specimens to decorate balconies and loggias.

For gardeners, it is best to carry out these events directly in the country, where it is possible to shelter the flower from the wind with a wall of the house or tall plant. If it was not possible to prepare beds for dahlias in the fall, then this can be done while the seedlings are waiting for their turn for planting.

The soil is dug up with the introduction of humus and mineral fertilizers. Fresh manure can only be applied when autumn processing soil. An excess of nitrogen will cause the active development of stems and shoots, and flowering will be postponed for a long time.

Planting flowers is carried out in an open sunny place, but it must be protected from winds and drafts. Dahlia loves warmth and light and thanks for this lush and long flowering.

When planting tall varieties, support should be provided so that the stems do not fall to the ground under the weight of flowers. Install it at the same time as planting a flower. This measure eliminates damage to the root system. There should be about 70 cm between plants.

The distance between flowers of medium height is 50 cm, and 30 cm will be enough for dwarf dahlias.

The first top dressing is carried out two weeks after the flower transplant. It should include potassium and phosphorus. Water the plant first clean water, and then a solution with fertilizers. So the dahlia roots will not be burned.

• To maintain the beauty of the bush, wilted inflorescences are removed, but if the summer resident plans to get his seeds, then a few inflorescences should be left.
• Watering as the soil dries out, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers and keeping the root area clean will not cause much trouble to the gardener.
• Pollination of soil around the stems with wood ash serves both as fertilizer and protection against diseases and pests.

Pests and diseases

Observing necessary requirements when growing seedlings and cultivating the soil, it is possible to avoid the defeat of plants by many diseases, but if this still happens, then it is better to know the enemy in person.

leaf spot most often occurs when the planting is too dense and there is no air circulation in the area with dahlias. It is expressed in the appearance of yellow-green spots, which eventually grow and become gray-brown, with prominent dark edges.

If the disease was noticed in time, then the affected leaves are cut off and burned, and the plant itself is treated with fungicides. "Fundazol" or "Oksihom" will be appropriate.
If the disease is started, the dahlia bush is completely destroyed, and neighboring plants are protected by the same chemicals.

white rot characterized by a change in the color of the base of the stems and their thinning. The fungus infects the plant initial stage vegetation, and also affects the young shoots of an adult dahlia. The cause of rot is the excessive deepening of the seedling during planting.

For treatment brown rot drugs are used: "Fundazol", "Gamair", "Fitosporin".
Fusarium wilt. The disease affects tubers or root system dahlia, which leads to wilting of the tips of the shoots, buds and leaves. A pinkish coating appears on these parts of the plant.

Similar signs are also characteristic of verticile wilt, only the plaque will be brown in color.

The cause of the defeat is thickened plantings, poor ventilation of plants, waterlogging of the site.

Prevention consists in observing the rules of agricultural technology, and fungicides are applicable for treatment: Oxyhom and Fundazol.

Dahlias are also attacked by flying and crawling insects.
Juicy leaves of the flower become a favorite delicacy for caterpillars, which appear as a result of the “work” of whiteflies, whiteflies and other pests.

caterpillars eat foliage and young shoots, worse when they bite into the base of the stem. The plant begins to lag behind in development, and a severe defeat leads to its death.

With a small amount of the pest, it is collected manually, and with a massive appearance, insecticides should be used. In this case, both the clutches of the larvae and the insects themselves will be destroyed.

Aphid- a very small pest that settles on the lower part of the leaf and sucks the juice out of it. Deformation occurs sheet plate, it curls and turns yellow.

If an aphid settlement is noticed on a flower, these parts of the plant should be cut and burned along with insects. Additionally, chemical preparations are carried out: "Confidor", "Fitoverm" and other insecticides against aphids. It is necessary to carry out the prevention of neighboring plants in order to also exclude the possibility of their damage.

For the appearance slugs conditions become a favorable environment high humidity. The activity of the pest falls at night, when they destroy the leaf apparatus.

Regular inspection of the plant and manual collection of insects, with their small quantities, will protect the flower from death. Preventive measures- tillage around the plants with ground pepper, ash - will prevent their appearance. And the drug "Thunderstorm" will destroy the pest when other measures are ineffective.

To decorate the garden with your favorite flowers in the next summer season, you can stock up on your own seed. To do this, the strongest and most beautiful inflorescences are left on the plant after they have withered. It will take about one and a half months for the seeds to ripen, so it would be wiser to leave the first flowers on the seeds. At the end of September, in dry and warm weather, dahlia baskets must be cut off and kept at home a little more.

From well-dried inflorescences, peel the seeds and arrange them in paper bags, indicating the variety of dahlia, its color and height of the bush.

However, in the next season, the color of the petals of the inflorescence may differ from the parental color if the seeds are collected from a hybrid plant. But if the gardener manages to keep a small tuber that forms on the root system, then next spring a dahlia will bloom in the flower garden, fully corresponding to the varietal qualities of the mother plant.

Growing dahlias from seeds: video

Not capricious, requiring minimal care during the cultivation of dahlia, will decorate the summer resident's garden with wonderful islands of beauty and joy. And in blooming garden and hard work is not so exhausting.