Dahlias planting and care in the open field when planting dahlias photo in the garden. Planting dahlias in different ways When dahlias are planted in the spring in the ground

Luxurious dahlia flowers are a real "pearl" flower garden. This heat-loving flower pleases with its lush and bright flowering only in the summer season. After the end of flowering, with the onset of autumn, dahlia tubers are necessarily dug out of the ground and sent for the winter to a dry, cool place.

Planting perennial dahlias

In the spring, as soon as the warm spring rays thoroughly warm the earth, it is time to plant these wonderfully beautiful flowers. In order to understand how to plant dahlias, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the detailed rules:

• It is necessary to choose a suitable landing site. Dahlias are planted in well-lit, ventilated areas where the flowers will comfortably develop and bloom. However, do not go to extremes and plant plants in drafts - dahlias will get sick and will not be able to please with their luxurious flowering. It is best to organize a landing on an open sunny lawn or on the south side of the site, protected from strong gusts of wind by dense shrubs, hedges or fences. Since dahlias are mostly perennials, in order for this flower culture not to “degenerate”, it is advisable to change the landing sites every spring and return to the previous site only after 2-3 years.

  dahlias

• The soil. It is known that almost all flowering plants are planted on light nutrient soil, perennial dahlias are no exception, they also love “tasty” soil. Tubers are planted in neutral soil or slightly acidic soil. If the acidity level is below the acidity index Рн 5, then in this case it is possible to carry out liming of the soil, at a higher value of the acidity level, peat is added to the soil. In autumn, when digging a flower garden, half a bucket of compost or humus is added per 1 m². During spring digging, the soil of the flower garden is fertilized with compost with a small amount of ash.
• Tuber preparation. Growing flowers begins with the spring preparation of planting material. To do this, in mid-April, a visual inspection of dahlia tubers is carried out in order to remove dry, damaged parts of the rhizome and disinfect it. The prepared planting material is planted in pots or containers filled with a nutritious earth mixture. The tuber is positioned so that the tops of the plant protrude slightly above the ground.

  Planting dahlias in the ground

• Tuber care. Containers with planted rhizomes are placed in the light in a warm room, moisten the soil and observe which of the tubers begins to bud. The root is divided in such a way that each bulb has a new shoot sprout. After dividing, parts of the tubers are placed back in the ground and covered with transparent glass or pvc film.
• Before planting on the site, on each specimen of seedlings, one of the most regrown buds is left in the central part, and the remaining lateral shoots are removed. Cut shoots can be used to produce new dahlias. To do this, the sprouts must be rooted in a pot or box with wet sand, covered and removed in a dark place for germination. After rooting, new specimens are planted in a flower garden.

On a note. Dahlia flowers come in a variety of shapes and colors. Whoever has grown these magnificent plants at least once in his garden is without fail interested in the appearance of new elite "dahlias" beauties in his flower garden. To do this, it is recommended to contact specialized flower shops and choose high-quality planting material.

Landing rules and patterns

It is difficult to give a clear date when to plant dahlias in open ground in the spring. It is best to focus on weather and climatic conditions. In the regions of central Russia, dahlia flowers begin to be planted in early May, and in the Urals and Siberia, the planting time is chosen after the earth warms up well enough and the threat of return frosts has passed.

Perennial dahlias, planting and preparation for it:

Flower culture "dahlia" is an undemanding plant. A flower can be planted even in a shady place in a garden or flower garden. True, the lack of full sunlight significantly affects the size and color. But in such a shady location there is also a plus: you can enjoy the beauty of flowering longer, light penumbra does not have a significant effect on the decorativeness of the plant.

There is a fair interest in the planting scheme and how to properly plant dahlias in a flower garden, depending on the height of the plants:

Dahlias take root well, they can be grown on any type of soil: on loam, sandy and chernozem soils. That is why dahlias "beauties and favorites" adorn flower beds and gardens throughout Russia everywhere.

The only condition for the full development and flowering of dahlias is to maintain a moderate level of humidity. The root tubers of the plant are prone to decay, therefore, in places with a high level of groundwater and in lowland areas, they will not actively grow. Flower growers with extensive experience in breeding flower crops are advised to lay drainage from brick batt or expanded clay gravel into the planting pits at the bottom.

Is it possible to transplant flowering dahlias

Sometimes a novice florist, for some reason, incorrectly or unsuccessfully planted plants in a flower garden, then the question becomes quite understandable: is it possible to transplant flowering dahlias in the summer, at the height of flowering?

dahlia seedling

As a rule, during the flowering period, the rhizome begins to actively grow with new shoots, through which the plant absorbs nutrition from the ground. Digging up a flower for transplantation, some of these roots are destroyed, and the plant, instead of blooming magnificently, will spend its internal reserves to restore the integrity of the root system. Such a decrease in growth activity leads to a loss of decorativeness and a decrease in color. The plant will appear sick and stunted.

If there is an urgent need to transplant an adult flowering plant, then in this case the flower can only be transplanted with a large earthen clod to prevent damage to the delicate roots. So the answer to the question “is it possible to transplant dahlias in the summer” depends on the degree of importance of such a transplant and on whether it is worth risking a flowering plant for the sake of this procedure.

Features of planting dahlias by region

Growing dahlias in the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia and the Urals has its own difficulties associated with the thermophilicity of this flower culture. For this reason, it is important to know how to plant dahlias in such risky farming and floriculture areas.

The first serious spring frost can cause irreparable harm to the plant, it can die. To avoid deceptive weather surprises and prevent your beloved dahlia from freezing from the cold, the heat-loving beauty in the Siberian region is planted in open soil no earlier than June 10th. With a short-term change in the weather and a sharp cold snap, the plants are covered with PVC film or agrofibre.

annual dahlias

In the Moscow region, as in the middle lane, warm weather comes much earlier, the earth warms up well by May, and starting from the third decade, dahlias are planted in a permanent place in open ground. In the cold spring, when the earth did not warm up properly in May, the landing dates are shifted until stable heat sets in.

You can decorate a flower garden with lush and luxurious dahlias only if you know the rules for proper planting and proper care of plants. Annual varieties that are grown from seeds are not as demanding on care, while perennials are more capricious and require more attention. Annual crops are usually stunted and do not need a fixing support. After flowering in autumn, they are dug up and destroyed, and new ones are planted in spring.

Growing bright and elegant dahlias does not require knowledge of special agricultural techniques and is not difficult even for beginner flower growers. Decorating a garden or flower bed with bright large flowers of various shapes and colors is quite within the power of anyone who loves beautiful dahlias.

Dahlias are a luxurious decoration for any flower bed. Bright, large flowers attract with a variety of shapes and colors, while planting dahlias and caring for them in the open field are not very difficult.

Bright and elegant dahlias are a wonderful and demanding garden decoration.

Choosing the right place

When choosing a place where dahlias will settle in the future, you need to consider the purpose of their cultivation - decorative or reproduction for sale. If the plans include the sale of dahlia tubers, then the planting pattern will differ from that when growing these flowers to decorate the site.

The recommendations below for planting and caring for dahlias in the open field are relevant for central Russia and the CIS countries (Primorsky, Altai Territory, the southern part of the Khabarovsk Territory and Western Siberia, the Southern and Middle Urals, the Baltic states, Belarus, northwestern part of Ukraine) . When growing in more southern regions and countries, it will be necessary to make adjustments for the climate, shifting the timing of planting and harvesting, as well as changing agricultural practices.

When choosing a place for growing dahlias, you need to take into account their features, including:

• high water demand (the higher the air temperature, the more water is needed);
• short growing season;
• the need for support and garters due to the fragility of the stems.

It is important to create an optimal microclimate that will allow you to get the maximum decorative effect of dahlias in a relatively short period. The landing site should be protected from cold north, northeast and northwest winds and drafts, warm up well. In combination with low air temperatures (from +1 to -4 degrees), strong winds can cause freezing of dahlias, especially if they were recently planted from greenhouses or greenhouses and did not have time to get the necessary hardening.

In the southern regions, dry winds are dangerous - northeast, east and southeast winds carrying heated dry air. They dry out the soil and the aerial part of the dahlia, causing the young foliage and top of the plant to burn.

To protect the flower beds with dahlias from the winds, the site is planted with trees, ordinary or fruit trees, fences or protective strips are used. Often the site is given a slope - south or southeast for the middle lane and north or northwest for the southern regions.

Important! Lowlands, hollows, valley areas should be avoided, where cold air usually accumulates and late spring frosts often occur.

In the shade of trees or fences, dahlias grow well and remain highly decorative if the sun illuminates them for at least half a day. At the same time, planting these flowers in the area of ​​​​the root system of large tall trees should be avoided, since they will not be able to bloom normally and form viable root tubers.

When choosing a site for planting dahlias, great attention should be paid to the issue of groundwater occurrence. They should not rise above the mark of 60-70 cm from the ground surface. If the water rises higher in the area, you should artificially raise a flower bed with dahlias to protect their root system from decay.

In the hot southern regions, on the contrary, flowerbeds with dahlias are often arranged in a depression surrounded by ramparts of earth. At night, this recess is filled with water to ensure sufficient moisture supply to the roots.

Soil preparation

Dahlias prefer moisture-intensive, structured soil, which at the same time has high water permeability. The wrong choice of soil very often causes the death of dahlias. You can improve the structure of the soil with the help of organic additives:

• humus;
• fresh or rotted manure;
• peat;
• straw cutting;
• compost;
• soddy soil and other materials that are easily degradable in the soil.

In heavy, clay soils, to improve water permeability, make:

• coarse-grained river sand;
• gravel;
• ash (peat or coal);
• peat;
• coal slag (fine, screened and washed).

If the site is dominated by sandy soil that does not hold water well and is easily eroded, you can add to it:

• vermiculite or perlite;
• peat;
• clay and other materials that help retain moisture.

Tip: it is not necessary to clear the soil of gravel or small stones, such additives in any type of soil will not interfere with the normal development of dahlias.

Dahlias are not too demanding on soil acidity and can tolerate its excess or deficiency, but they show the best result on slightly acidic or neutral soils. But strongly alkaline soils inhibit their development and growth. Before planting dahlias, you can analyze the acidity in order to then bring it to the desired indicators:

• at Ph 4-5, slaked lime is added to the soil (30-100 kg per 100 sq. m.);
• at a Ph level of 8 and above, the soil is acidified by introducing peat into it.

The place where dahlias will grow is plowed deep in the fall - by 30-35 cm. Then, 2-3 weeks before planting flowers, the soil is dug up or plowed again, paying special attention to harrowing and loosening.

Planting dahlias

When exactly to plant dahlias in spring in open ground depends, first of all, on the region. As a rule, in the middle lane this is done after June 1-10, when the last night frosts leave. At this time, already grown tubers are planted. You can plant them earlier - around May 15-20, as soon as the soil warms up enough. Unsprouted tubers are planted, in which the eyes are clearly expressed. Shoots appear after 2 weeks. With such a planting, it is necessary to constantly monitor the air temperature and, if there is a threat of frost, cover a flower bed with dahlias.

This is interesting. To get even earlier flowering in May, already grown tubers can be planted, but in this case they will need constant shelter from frost and cold air.

Before planting dahlias, you need to prepare seats for them. Holes are dug in the soil next to the stakes driven into the ground. The distance between plants should be equal to half the height of an adult plant - approximately 60-100 cm, between rows - at least 1 meter.

Stakes for supporting dahlias should be strong and high - at least 160-180 cm. It is better to make them from coniferous wood, they will last longer. To increase the service life, they are treated with a 7% solution of iron sulfate and painted. Even more durable will be metal stakes - from old pipes or fittings with a diameter of 12-20 mm.

The stakes are hammered to a depth of 40 cm, then germinated tubers are planted in the hole, placing them closer to the support. The root neck of the tuber should be 4-5 cm below the soil level. If the seedling was obtained from a cutting or is a hybrid seedling, it is planted deeper, 8-10 cm.

Planting dahlias with tubers in the spring is best done in cloudy weather or in the late afternoon, so that the plants do not suffer from the sun and have time to get comfortable in a new place. Seedlings obtained from cuttings or divided tubers are abundantly shed with water before planting, and then placed in the hole, trying not to break up the lump and not damage the plant itself. For the convenience of watering, ring-shaped holes are made around the planting pit, or the pit is simply not completely filled up. Over time, it will be equal to the level of the soil, and furrows are made for irrigation.

Immediately after planting, dahlias are tied to stakes in 2-3 places, depending on the height of the plant. Labels with the name of the variety are attached to the top of the support. The first few weeks after planting, dahlias need regular abundant watering. The frequency depends on the temperature and humidity of the air - in dry and hot weather, plantings are watered daily.

Dahlia Care

Dahlias are quite demanding on planting conditions and further care. To achieve a high decorativeness of the flower bed, you will have to provide the plants with the most suitable conditions.

Watering, loosening, mulching the soil

After the seedlings get used to the new place, watering is reduced, but the soil under the dahlias should always remain moist. With a lack of water, the stems quickly become woody, growth slows down and flowering worsens. It is quite difficult to restore the decorative effect of dahlias after this - it returns slowly, after the onset of cool rainy weather.

To provide dahlias with optimal air humidity, moisturizing irrigation is carried out using sprinklers (with small holes). 10-15 minutes of such watering allow for some time to increase the humidity of the air in hot weather.

It is very important to keep the soil under the dahlias in a loosened state and regularly clear weeds. Loosen it, as a rule, after each watering or fertilizing. After the buds appear on the dahlias and the green mass of the plants closes, loosening stops, and the soil is mulched with peat or humus. This is done to slow the growth of weeds, prevent crusting of the soil, and reduce watering, as the mulch allows the soil to stay moist longer.

Recommendation: with excessive development of the vegetative mass, the lower leaves of the bushes are cut off to a height of 30-40 cm to improve air ventilation. This avoids the formation of a thick stem at the root collar, which impairs the safety of tubers.

After the onset of stable cold weather, dahlias spud. This will protect the roots from the first frosts, while the hilling height should be 15-20 cm. If the plants were planted deep, then hilling can be omitted.

top dressing

The need to apply mineral or organic fertilizers under dahlias depends on the type of soil in which they are planted. Fertile soils that are regularly fertilized with organic matter, humus, need it less. You can determine which fertilizers dahlias need on a particular soil by submitting samples to an agro-laboratory for chemical analysis. It allows you to plan the application of fertilizers for the next 2-3 years.

Fertilization occurs in three ways:

• when plowing the soil before planting;
• when landing in each hole;
• foliar or root top dressing.

With the wrong selection of fertilizers, they can be ineffective or even harmful to plants. That is why it is recommended to conduct a chemical analysis of the soil regularly, once every 2-3 years.

In the fall, for digging, as a rule, they make organic top dressing - manure, composts, especially if they have not had time to decompose enough. In the spring, wood ash, superphosphate and seasoned peat are plowed into the ground.

It is not recommended to introduce easily soluble chemicals into the soil, as they are easily washed out of the soil and are not used by dahlias for their intended purpose. Among these substances:

• ammonium and other nitrates;
• potassium salt;
• carbamide (synthetic urea);
• potassium chloride.

The latter is advised to be applied to heavy clay soils. Fertile lands are not additionally fertilized before planting dahlias, but fertilize only in planting pits. To do this, use humus (leaf or manure) mixed with wood ash or stove soot. 3-4 tablespoons of ash are added to a bucket of compost, a quarter of a bucket of the mixture is added to each well.

During the period of growth and flowering, dahlias are regularly fed with organo-mineral fertilizers - once every 12-14 days. To do this, use diluted cow manure or chicken manure (for 10 l of water, 1 l of manure solution or 0.5 l of chicken manure solution) with the addition of potassium (15 g) or ammonium (10 g) nitrate, superphosphate (15-20 g) and potassium sulfate (10-15 g). A bucket of feed mixture (10 l) is divided between 4-5 plants.

Such top dressing continues until mid-July, then they are replaced by phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. And after the second half of August, preference is given to phosphorus top dressing. After each fertilization, the bushes must be watered from a sprinkler.

Important! The lack of water, phosphorus and potassium can slow down the transfer of nutrients from the stem and leaves to the roots in autumn.

Preparing for the winter

Dahlias do not hibernate outdoors. In autumn, after the ground part dies off (usually after the first frost), the root tubers are dug up and stored.

It is necessary to dig up the tubers on the first day with a positive air temperature, because with a delay, the kidneys can wake up and cause the tuber to rot. Before digging, the stems are cut with a garden pruner at a distance of 3-4 cm from the root collar, and then the nests are removed from the soil with a fork or shovel. The tubers are laid out in boxes and placed for several weeks in a cool, humid room (+8 degrees at a humidity of 80%).

After 2-3 weeks, the nests are cleaned of small roots and old tubers, cuts are processed, and placed in boxes for storage. The bottom of the boxes is covered with earth with a layer of 3 cm, then the tubers are laid out and covered with earth. Store boxes at a temperature of 1-7 degrees and high humidity (80-100%).

You can also store tubers by treating them with clay mash. Peeled root tubers are washed under running water, dried in the sun, dipped in a mash and dried again. The resulting "dragees" are sent for storage until spring.

Bush formation

In the case when dahlias were propagated by tubers, it is recommended to leave the two strongest shoots for each seedling, removing all the rest as soon as possible. Cutting seedlings are grown, as a rule, in one stem, sometimes pinching the top over the third internode to add splendor to the bush.

For large-flowered varieties, a mandatory measure is the regular and complete removal of all stepchildren formed on the stem - lateral shoots in the axils of the leaves. This is done as early as possible and as close to the stem as possible. If the stepchildren are not removed, especially on the lower part of the stem, then the growth of dahlias slows down, flowering is reduced, and the size of the flowers decreases. In addition, stepchildren located close to the ground often break off, and fungal infections can easily occur at the fracture site, which will cause the death of the entire plant.

Removal of stepsons is carried out regularly, from the moment of planting until the buds are formed. Side shoots are removed to the internode preceding the one where the bud was formed.

Important! Dwarf, pompom, collared and small-flowered dahlia species do not stepchild.

Quite a few species and varieties of dahlias need to remove not only stepchildren, but also buds. This is especially true for those plants that are grown for further cutting or participation in exhibitions.

As a rule, on the stems of dahlias, buds are formed in groups of three. The middle bud usually develops faster than the others, but it has a short peduncle, which is not very convenient for cutting. Therefore, the central bud is removed, after which the remaining two develop faster, have a longer peduncle and are distinguished by lush flowering.

During the flowering period, in order to preserve the decorativeness of the plant, faded inflorescences should be removed daily, which spoil the appearance of the bush.

Formation of undersized bushes

Almost all varieties of dahlias are characterized by high growth - from 160 cm and above. If you need to get a stunted plant, you need to follow this algorithm:

1. At the end of February, parts of the tubers are planted in nutrient soil and placed in a well-lit place at a temperature not lower than + 15-20 degrees.
2. After the appearance of shoots, 1-2 are left, the strongest. The rest can be used as cuttings.
3. Over the fourth pair of leaves at the bush, pinch the top.
4. As a result, two stems develop from one, each of them is pinched again after the second pair of leaves.

With such a pinching system, the bush does not grow more than 1 meter in height. The pinching of such dahlias is carried out according to the general scheme.

Reproduction and preparation of tubers for planting

Dahlias are propagated by seeds, cuttings or parts of tubers. Since it is quite simple to grow dahlias from tubers, while getting 3-5 new ones from one tuber, this method is the most common. Root tubers dug out in autumn in early April begin to prepare for planting. To do this, they are kept for 10 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate and left in a warm, well-lit room for about a week.

As soon as sprouts 7-9 mm long appear on the tubers, division can begin. One medium tuber, as a rule, can be divided into 3-5 parts. It is important to ensure that at least 2 buds remain on each division. For division, a sharp knife is used, acting very carefully so as not to damage the root neck.

The prepared parts of the tubers are planted for germination in boxes with a mixture of sawdust, peat, river sand and humus. In these boxes they sit until the onset of stable heat without returning frosts, when they are transplanted into open ground.

Reproduction by cuttings

It is recommended to replace old tubers with new ones obtained from germinated cuttings every two years. Cuttings of dahlias allows you to update the planting material, while maintaining the varietal characteristics of the mother plant.

For renewal, the most healthy and best suited tuber is selected, planted in nutrient soil at a third of its height. After a while, sprouts begin to appear. When they reach a height of 2 cm, they are cut and rooted.

Root cuttings can be in water or in the substrate. To accelerate root formation, they are recommended to be treated with stimulants. Pots or containers with cuttings are covered with a film and placed in a warm, bright place.

Important! The uterine tuber will release new sprouts after a while. In total, up to 30 cuttings can be taken from it.

Reproduction by seeds

As a rule, dahlias from seeds are grown as an annual crop. They can be planted in seedlings or immediately sown in open ground.

To obtain seedlings, seeds are sown in early April in loose soil, containers are covered with film or glass. Seedlings appear already on the 4-7th day. Two weeks after germination, they dive into separate pots. Strengthened and pre-hardened seedlings are planted in open ground after the end of night frosts, keeping a distance of 20-25 cm between plants.

When planting in the ground, the seedlings will need to be thinned out to provide the plants with room to grow. Sow dahlias in May, after the threat of night frost has passed. Crops will bloom only towards the end of August.

The brightest representatives of annuals are pompon dahlias, varieties "Gelleri", "Sylvia", "Merry Fellows", growing them from seeds is carried out using the same technology.

Despite the fact that dahlias require quite a lot of attention and participation from the gardener, their bright and lush flowering will decorate any flower bed. With some effort, you can admire the luxurious inflorescences until the first frost.

Some flowers are very popular in our country, and few people remember that in fact their homeland is hot countries. How to plant dahlias in the spring should be known to everyone who wants to see the magnificent bright petals of these amazing ornamental plants brought to Russia a very long time ago from Latin America on their site in the fall.

Considering that the natural climatic conditions in which these flowers are accustomed to grow differ significantly from the weather in most of the territory of the Russian Federation, the question of how to plant dahlias correctly is not at all idle.

Plants are quite demanding on the temperature regime. The heat-loving decorative culture is not able to withstand Russian frosts. Therefore, flowers should be planted only in the spring, and in winter they should be dug up and stored in specially created conditions.

Dahlias do not tolerate drought, but too high humidity can kill them. Each planted flower requires constant attention. Culture care must be continuous throughout the life cycle. It includes not only watering, but also pruning side shoots, hilling and regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers.

But the most important thing that fans of these flowers should know is how to plant dahlias correctly. There are 2 ways:

• seeds;
• bulbs.

The first option is suitable for experienced gardeners. Working with seeds is more difficult, due to the fact that such planting of flowers involves more stringent requirements for temperature, watering, and illumination of the site. Those who chose this method will be able to see the results of their labors in the form of bright buds only in a year, when the plants are strong enough.

Planting dahlias with tubers in the spring is a more common method among hobbyists. Although it requires no less strength to achieve the cherished goal - a bright flower garden, which in the fall is able to decorate any garden plot.

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Growing from seeds

The choice of planting material should be approached very responsibly. If there are already dahlias on the site, then the seeds will ripen 30 days after the plants have faded. When there is a need to buy material for planting a popular ornamental crop, it is better to give preference to sellers with a good reputation. After all, it largely depends on the seeds whether the dahlias take root on the site or die at the stage of growing seedlings.

Planting material can be purchased on the market as early as February. In March-April, it will need to be placed in special pots with soil, which are placed in a greenhouse or other warm room. Before planting dahlias in the spring, it is recommended to grow seedlings.

Under the open sky in conditions of changeable weather, the seeds may die. Preliminary preparation of plants for transplanting into ordinary soil is a mandatory step, allowing you to hope for an excellent result of gardening.

For seeds, a shallow container or box is suitable. If the container is made of plastic, you need to make small holes in it for unhindered air circulation. The container is filled with earth mixed with humus or peat. In order to provide good drainage for future shoots, sand can be added to the seedling box.

The prepared soil is watered, but not very plentifully. Stagnation of moisture is detrimental to flowers. After that, you need to make small grooves, on the bottom of which a thin layer of humus and mineral complex fertilizers is laid out. Seeds are laid in the recesses and sprinkled with sand.

It is important that there is enough light in the room where the containers are located. The temperature must also be maintained at a high level. If the seedling boxes are in the greenhouse, then the surface of the soil with seeds can be additionally covered with special material or plastic wrap.

When the first shoots appear in 2-3 days, the cover must be removed. Dahlias in greenhouse conditions grow very quickly. Therefore, the next stage is picking. After quite a bit of time, young shoots will be ready for planting in open ground.



How to root young sprouts on the site?

Flower beds for bright perennials are best prepared in advance. It should be a sunny place, protected from drafts. Dahlias love soil with good drainage properties, so sand and peat are added to dense soils to make them looser.

In autumn, a large amount of humus is introduced to the site. This should be done before digging. Organic fertilizer will be processed by spring and enrich the earth with all the necessary nutrients.

Flower seedlings are recommended to be planted after the establishment of warm and dry weather. If the air temperature remains above 10 ° C for several days, you can safely proceed to transplanting dahlias. Usually this period falls on the middle or end of May.

Depending on the variety of flowers, the distance between the holes should be left from 30 to 60 cm. It is recommended to deepen young shoots very carefully so as not to damage the fragile roots. At first, it is better to cover the shoots of flowers with available means. Some people use plastic bottles with air holes for this. Weather permitting, the cover can be removed during the day.

When the sprouts take root, they will need to be fed with complex fertilizers to stimulate leaf growth, ovary formation and prepare dahlias for flowering. Mineral additives should be applied strictly according to the instructions, otherwise an excess of individual elements can slow down the development of an ornamental culture.



Dahlias "Merry Fellows": growing from seeds, planting and caring for flowers, when to plant

Planting bulbs

Most fans of lush and bright autumn flowers prefer to use tubers for spring planting. This is a more rational way for those who want to get the desired result in the form of beautiful blooming buds as quickly as possible.

Bulbs can be saved from flowers already growing in the garden. To do this, in the fall they are dug up before the onset of the first frost, dried and stored in a relatively warm and dark place until spring. If planting tubers in the spring is the first experience, then you can purchase seed in February. When buying flower heads, you need to carefully examine them. The bulbs must not be rotten or damaged in any way, they must be dry and firm.

The time for planting plants depends on the variety and weather conditions. Early dahlias are transferred to open ground in late April or early May, late varieties - at the very end of spring. Before direct planting in a permanent place, the tubers need to be germinated. This can be done in a greenhouse or greenhouse, but if the climatic conditions of the region are not too harsh, it is allowed to prepare the bulbs in the open field.

Flower heads are inspected, damaged areas are treated with brilliant green or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The site for germination is selected and prepared in advance. It should be located in a place protected from the wind on the sunny side. The soil is dug up with the addition of compost in the fall. In the spring, the procedure is repeated, the organic fertilizer is reinforced with wood ash. The amount of top dressing is 3-5 kg ​​per 1 m³.

The depth of the initial planting of tubers is no more than 20 cm. The width of the beds should be about 40 cm. If the soil is very heavy, a layer of sand or crushed peat is placed at the bottom of the trench. This will provide natural drainage for the flower bed.

The tubers are carefully placed in prepared holes, sprinkled with earth, watered and covered with a film. When the sprouts under the protective material become clearly visible, it can be removed. After 3 weeks, the bulbs should be dug up and prepared for planting in a permanent place.





Selection and processing of flower beds

The flower garden in which it is planned to grow dahlias cannot be located in an excessively humid and shaded place. Water must not be allowed to stagnate in the flower bed. This will cause the flower bulbs to rot. The soil for ornamental plants must be fertilized with compost and complex mineral additives containing the main elements necessary for any crop:

• nitrogen;
• phosphorus;
• potassium.

The earth should be light and loose. Dahlias grow well in neutral or slightly acidic soil. Alkaline soil can be modified with peat. If the site is acidic, adding a small amount of slaked lime will help.

Dahlias at the initial stage of their development consume a large amount of nutrients. Therefore, the place where these flowers grew last year is best left for other, less demanding plants. When choosing a site for transplanting a capricious crop, you should not plant dahlias next to asters. These types of flowers are prone to the same diseases that they can transmit to each other.

Germinated flower tubers are usually further processed before they take their permanent place in the flower garden. The main procedure that allows you to achieve lush and large buds is called division.

After the heads with sprouts are dug out from the temporary site, they are washed in warm water and dried. Then, with a sharp knife, each bulb is separated with a neck, leaving 1-2 sprouts on separate parts. After that, the tubers are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes. After antiseptic treatment, planting material is ready for use.

The division allows you to make future dahlias stronger, because after mechanical damage, the plant's defenses are activated. This procedure is aimed at ensuring that the bushes of ornamental culture are not too thick. Excess sprouts weaken the flowers and prevent the formation of large buds. Dividing bulbs is a common way to propagate varietal flowers, and dahlias are no exception.

The use of a potassium permanganate solution for treating tubers is an excellent prophylactic against potential diseases and protection against some pests that live in the soil.

Planting in a permanent place

On a site prepared in advance for dahlias, it is necessary to dig holes about 10 cm deep. It is better to leave the distance between them in accordance with the size of plants of a particular variety. It can be from 30 to 80 cm.

At the bottom of each hole, a drainage layer is made of sand. If the weather is very warm outside, the recesses should be watered before planting the bulbs. The tubers are laid out horizontally. No more than 2 heads should be planted in each hole, otherwise the bushes will be too thick and will not bring many flowers.

After the seed is sprinkled with earth, the bed needs to be loosened. During the planting of tubers, fertilizing with nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizers in equal parts is allowed. The first type is necessary for a full vegetation. The second type of connections is responsible for the development of the root system. Potassium is necessary for carbohydrate metabolism and the formation of ovaries.

The next top dressing should be carried out during flowering. During this period, it is better to exclude nitrogen, since excess green mass can interfere with the development of buds. It is sufficient to use phosphorus-potassium compounds such as superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

After planting, dahlias do not require special care. It is only necessary to regularly remove weeds, loosen the ground and water young plants as the soil dries. It is better to remove all side shoots and empty ovaries in a timely manner to allow the strongest and largest buds to bloom.



Since dahlias are distinguished by very thin and fragile stems that easily break during strong gusts of wind, immediately after planting the tubers, it is recommended to place a frame near each hole, which will become a reliable support for growing shoots.

Subject to all the rules for planting and caring for dahlias, these ornamental plants will delight the eye during the summer and autumn months, until the onset of the first cold weather. Their bright and lush flowers are a real decoration of any personal plot.

Dahlias are perennial garden flowers, the root system of which is formed by multiple tubers. They are susceptible to cold and frost. Therefore, in the fall, the rhizomes are dug up and stored until spring under suitable conditions. Tubers are planted only in well-heated soil. It is advisable not to miss the deadline when it is time to get them out of the cellar, basement or refrigerator in different regions. In the warmth of the kidney quickly start to grow. When and how to germinate dahlias in the spring so that they please with lush flowering?

Dahlias are quite unpretentious in their care. The only difficulty in growing them is the impossibility of wintering in open ground conditions. Traditionally dug up flowers are stored in a warm cellar or cellar where temperature and humidity are kept at the same level. In the spring, dahlias should be properly awakened after a dormant period. To get strong and beautiful bushes, tubers must be germinated before planting.

During germination, dahlias undergo hardening, as a result of which, after planting, they tolerate sudden temperature changes well. Germinated root tubers have strong and healthy sprouts, so they are able to withstand diseases and adverse factors. If you plant dahlias with awakened buds in the ground, they will grow faster and bloom earlier.

When to get dahlia tubers for germination

Dahlias are planted in open ground when warm weather sets in, i.e. at the end of April or the first decade of May. If the spring turned out to be cold, it is better to wait a little with planting flowers. Otherwise, young sprouts will be damaged by return frosts. Dahlias need to be obtained about a month before the landing is scheduled. Usually tubers begin to germinate from mid-March. In heat and with sufficient lighting, the tubers will germinate in 2.5 weeks, and at temperatures below +23 ° C - in 30 days. During this period, the shoots will have time to grow by 20-30 cm.

On a note!

Do not overexpose the tubers indoors, because. elongated shoots burn in the sun. To protect tender sprouts from the scorching rays of the sun, they are wrapped in white spunbond. Shelter is removed when the bushes take root.

In different regions of Russia, the timing of germination of dahlias can be shifted by 15-20 days. The start of tuber preparation depends on the climatic conditions of the area:

1. For the middle zone and the Moscow region, where night frosts are in no hurry to recede, the first or second decade of April is considered the optimal time for the germination of flowers.
2. In Siberia and the Urals, tubers are taken out of storage in mid-May, and planted in a flower bed no earlier than the beginning of summer. The soil here warms up later than in other regions of the country, and spring frosts are possible even at the end of May.
3. On the Lower Volga and southern regions, it is recommended to get dahlias from the cellar or refrigerator in April. Tubers can be planted immediately in a greenhouse, and in early May - in open ground. Spring comes early in these regions, so the tubers are often planted without sprouting.

When to get dahlias for cuttings

For cuttings, dahlias are taken out of the basement in late February-early March. They cannot be brought directly into the house, but must be left for 2-3 days in a warm, but not heated room. The tubers are covered with plastic wrap so that they do not lose moisture. Then the rhizomes are placed in containers filled with nutrient soil. The substrate can be purchased at a flower shop or prepared independently. There are several soil mix options:

• special primer "Coconut";
• a mixture of sawdust and river sand in equal proportions;
• substrate from high-moor peat and sand in the ratio 1:1.

In any of the proposed mixtures, dahlias will feel good. The main thing is not to use coniferous sawdust, because. the resins they contain are harmful to plants. Sprouts from awakened buds will appear in 15-20 days. When the shoots reach a height of 12-14 cm, they can be cut into cuttings with a sharp knife. Each kidney should receive a piece of the root neck. The shoots are planted in containers with soil mixture.

Tuber preparation

Starting germination, the tubers are cleaned from the ground and washed with water. Then remove all rotten or dead parts. Small tubers that are held on thin roots are useless due to the lack of growth buds. Such thickenings should be removed, because. after planting in the ground, they rot. Manipulations are done with a sharp knife, capturing some healthy tissue. It is advisable to lubricate the slices with brilliant green, and then sprinkle with charcoal or activated charcoal.

On a note!

Often, tubers are coated with wax or clay before being stored. Such a protective layer is removed in the spring by gently tapping on the surface.

After clearing, the tubers are immersed for 30 minutes in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate. The disinfecting procedure prevents the development of fungus, destroys putrefactive bacteria. Dahlia tubers are dried for a day so that a protective layer forms on the wounds. To do this, they are put in boxes in one layer and placed in a bright, ventilated place.

Division of rhizomes

Root tubers are divided annually to renew them. Otherwise, the plants will throw out a lot of shoots, increase green mass at the expense of flowering. This procedure is best done in the spring. If the rhizomes are divided in autumn, the tubers may shrivel or rot. The procedure is started when the growth points hatch. It should be borne in mind that all the kidneys are not located on the tubers, but on the root collar.

Each rhizome is carefully cut so that a piece of the old stem and root collar with 1-2 buds remains on the resulting parts. Bushes with so many shoots will be lushly flowering, and the rhizomes will be strong. If there are more growth buds, they are not broken off, but carefully cut off with a sharp knife. Wounds are recommended to be treated with wood ash and wait until they dry. Sprouted delenki are planted in a permanent place in the first half of June.

Germination of root tubers

Germination of dahlias is an important step to get abundant flowering in the early stages. When purchasing planting material in a store, you need to pay attention to the presence of "eyes". Tubers need to provide suitable temperature, humidity and lighting. They are grown in several ways:

• in a box with a substrate;
• in the package;
• in the trench.

Growing tubers in boxes

For sprouting tubers use wide, shallow boxes. They can be made of plastic or wood. Ceramic pots are also suitable. In order for the tubers to sprout, a series of actions should be performed:

1. A film is placed at the bottom of the container, then a small layer of sawdust, loose soil or peat is poured.
2. The tubers in the box are freely placed, sprinkled with the selected substrate and irrigated with a spray bottle.
3. Landings are placed on a window, a glazed loggia or in a greenhouse with good lighting. In the cool, the sprouts are strong, so dahlias are germinated at a temperature of + 16 ... + 22 ° С.
4. Planting material is regularly moistened with warm water, preventing the soil from drying out. Watering should be moderate so that the tubers do not rot.

Important!

Do not sprinkle soil on the root neck of the tubers. It should protrude above the surface so that the kidneys start growing faster.

Under all conditions, sprouts will appear in 5-7 days. Coconut fiber can be used to germinate dahlias. The substrate is sold in the form of chips, briquettes or tablets. Before use, it is recommended to pour hot water over it, cover it with a lid and let it cool. From coconut fiber, you can make a soil mixture at the rate of 1 kg per 7 liters of land.

Germinating dahlias in bags or trenches

Tubers are placed in plastic bags, a little sawdust and moistened. Dahlias are left in a well-lit place. Moisture and heat contribute to the awakening of the kidneys and the formation of sprouts. Planting material is regularly inspected for rot. After 10 days, the plastic bags are opened to re-spray the tubers with water. Plants will be ready for planting in 7-8 days.

If the house does not have room for boxes, root tubers can be germinated on the site by placing them in a trench. This method is more laborious, but gentle for plants. It includes the following steps:

1. In the garden, they dig a trench with a depth of a shovel bayonet, and a width of 40 cm.
2. Rhizomes or divisions are laid out so that they do not touch each other. Different varieties are marked with tags.
3. Landings are covered with loose soil. Metal or plastic arcs are installed above the trench, on which the film is stretched. So that it does not fly off with gusts of wind, stakes are driven in around the edges or bricks are laid.
4. Watering the land is not necessary, because. in the spring it is saturated with moisture. After 2-3 weeks, sprouts will appear. Shelter is removed, and flowers are grown as usual. If necessary, germinated tubers are transplanted to another place.

The content of germinated root tubers before planting

Care for germinated tubers consists in regular moistening and airing. When sprouts appear on the surface of the substrate, the boxes are transferred to a place where the temperature does not exceed + 15 ... + 16 ° С. Plants should receive enough light so that the shoots do not stretch. Otherwise, the sprouts will be thin, weak and break during planting.

In good weather, containers with plants should be taken out to fresh air, gradually increasing the time. They are placed in a place protected from the scorching rays of the sun. If there are no night frosts, planting material is left outside, placed under a canopy. Such hardening makes plants strong, enhances growth. When it finally gets warmer, the tubers should be removed from the container and planted in a flower bed. For tall varieties, supports are pre-installed.

Advice!

Watering is best replaced with spray irrigation. So you can prevent stagnation of moisture and the development of fungus.

Planting dahlias in the spring is an important process, the rules of which must be followed. If germination is started ahead of time, the shoots will stretch out excessively and then, when replanting plants, you can lose the bulk of the sprouts. The main task of the gardener is to provide the rhizomes with a warm, bright place and moderate watering. From sprouted tubers, strong bushes are formed that bloom early and throw out new buds until frost.