Favorite flowers. Pruning plants implies a number of features
Dahlias are common in the mountainous regions of Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia. In natural habitats, the aboveground part perennial plant annually dies down to the tuberous-thickened, fleshy roots, and the root tubers themselves winter in non-freezing soil. Areas of central Russia are unsuitable for dahlias in winter - in open ground these plants freeze. Therefore, in culture, they have to be dug up for the winter and stored under certain conditions.
Dahlia roots
The dahlia root system consists of thickened storage and thin feeding roots. Storage roots, they are also called root tubers or simply tubers, are formed at the base of the shoots of the current year, thicken in the year of formation and live for about 3 years. All feeding roots, as well as slightly thickened storing root tubers of winter storage, do not withstand and die off.
In dahlias, renewal buds are located on the lower part of the last year's shoot and on the root collar of root tubers. There are no buds on the root tuber itself.
Dahlias are most often used in single, group and border plantings.
Dahlias classification
In our country, there is currently no single classification of dahlias. Usually, 10-12 classes are distinguished, differing in the size and shape of the inflorescence, the degree of terry, as well as the shape of the petals.
The following classes of dahlia exist:
- Non-double, or single-row, in which almost the entire basket is occupied by tubular flowers, ligulate flowers (petals) are located in the outer circle in 1 row. Low-growing non-double dahlias with a height of not more than 50 cm are allocated to the subclass (class) Mignon, they reproduce by seeds.
- Anemonic, they have large petals in 1-2 rows, tubular flowers, long, colored, elongated, rise above the inflorescence with a dense central group.
- Peony have semi-double inflorescences with 2-3 rows of wide petals and a center of yellow tubular flowers. The petals adjacent to the center of the tubular inflorescence are often much smaller, wavy or curled.
- Collar, this class has 2 circles of petals, while the petals of the inner circle are much smaller than the petals of the outer circle, they cover tubular flowers like a collar. The petals of both circles are colored differently.
- Spherical have densely double inflorescences with a diameter of 7 to 20 cm, hemispherical or spherical, wide petals with rounded tips, in the lower part (up to half the length), the petals are collected in a tube.
- Pompom dahlias are the same as spherical, but smaller and more rounded, flowers up to 7 cm in diameter. The petal is rolled into a tube along its entire length.
- Ornamental: dahlias of this class have densely double inflorescences with wide, straight, wavy or curved petals in one direction, in the center of the inflorescence the ligulate flowers are rolled and spirally twisted. The size of the inflorescences is from 4 to 40 cm in diameter.
- A subclass (class) of Nymphaeans is distinguished, their inflorescences resemble white water lily(to the nymph.)
- Semi-cactus have double inflorescences, wide petals, which are folded at the base less than half the length. It is a transitional form between cactus and ornamental.
- Cactus, they have double inflorescences with a closed middle, the petals are rolled into a tube at least half the length. There are varieties with deeply cut petals at the end.
- Allocate a subclass (class) Chrysanthemum, in which the petals are rolled along the entire length and curved in different directions, resemble large-flowered chrysanthemums.
- Mixed, which includes all new varieties that do not fit the descriptions of these groups.
Dahlias growing
Among the basic requirements for a dahlia growing site is good lighting for at least six hours a day. For long flowering and good development dahlias need enough solar lighting in the morning and (or) evening hours and some shading from the midday sun. Grown in the shade large trees, dahlias bloom poorly and do not form viable root tubers.
When choosing a site for growing dahlias, it should be borne in mind that they have fragile stems, so the site must be protected from the wind by trees and buildings. Dahlias do not like drafts, cold winds. Low and waterlogged areas will not work.
Optimal soil for growing dahlias
Dahlias can grow in any soil, but they thrive best in slightly acidic and neutral soils.
Optimal for them is a fatty garden loam rich in humus, or fertilized sandy soil. The soil must be structural, moisture-absorbing and at the same time permeable. They dislike both excess and lack of moisture.
The site intended for growing dahlias must be dug up in the fall, and dug up in the spring. The expediency of double tillage is confirmed by the practice of amateur flower growers. In autumn, when digging, they bring organic fertilizers, and a week before planting, they dig it up a second time.
The soil is cultivated to a depth of 30-40 cm.
Dahlias planting
Before planting the dahlia tuber, you must first grow a little at home or in a greenhouse.
It is best to plant dahlias in open ground in the first decade of June, because at this time the danger of late frosts has already passed. First you need to plant tuberous dahlias, later (not earlier than June 5) - cuttings.
If it is possible to cover the plants, an earlier planting is also allowed.
The landing site is prepared in advance. Planting holes are dug in the beds, the distance between the holes depends on the height of the plant. Stakes for garters of dahlias are placed next to them. Their height should be slightly less than the estimated height of the plants. One shovel of humus or rotted manure is usually placed in each hole, and 1.5-2 tablespoons of full mineral fertilizer or 25 g of superphosphate. All this is mixed well.
Planting is best done in cloudy weather or in the evening.
5-6 hours before planting, dahlias in pots must be watered until the earthen coma is completely moistened.
Before planting, the plants are watered abundantly, and then carefully planted with a clod of earth in a prepared hole close to the stake.
If the plants were grown not in pots, but in greenhouses or boxes, they lose a lot of roots when they are dug up. For successful survival, plants should be planted in previously abundantly shed soil (in "mud"), sprinkled with dry earth on top.
In the soil planting material placed a little deeper than it was in a pot or box, the neck of the tuber should be 3-5 cm below the soil level. Seedlings and cuttings should be planted deeper - up to the first pair of true leaves. Planted plants should be watered and mulched immediately with dry soil. Around them, you can make ring-shaped holes that will retain moisture when watering. Tall dahlias should be tied immediately to stakes.
Dahlias care
After planting, the plants are watered regularly and abundantly. Lack of moisture leads to a deterioration in flowering, growth retardation and lignification of the stem. Watering dahlias in the evening. After each watering, the soil is loosened. Dahlias respond well to mulching: it reduces water consumption during irrigation and reduces the number of weeds. It is better to use rotted manure or peat as mulch.
After 5 - 7 days after planting, when the dahlias take root, top dressing is carried out, the interval between which should be 10 days. The plants are pre-watered. It is best to make a hole 10 cm deep around the plant, and fill it with top dressing. After that, the hole is leveled. For feeding, an infusion of mullein is usually used in a ratio of 1:10, adding superphosphate (10 g per 5 l of water) and nitrogen fertilizers to it. It is very good for dahlias to make several dressings with superphosphate (25 g per 5 l of water) with the addition of wood ash(3-4 handfuls). Top dressing is carried out in June and in the first half of July.
In August, it is worth feeding only once with potassium sulfate (30 g per "bush") so that the tubers ripen better. It is not worth getting too carried away with nitrogen fertilizers, since the "bush", to the detriment of flowering, will gain a large vegetative mass, in addition, tubers are formed from a plant overfed with nitrogen, which are very poorly stored. Watering and feeding is stopped since September.
To obtain a beautiful strong plant with good inflorescences, dahlia bushes must be formed.
Methods for forming a dahlia bush:
During the growth period, the shoots growing from the root collar are periodically removed. It is necessary to take into account when growing dahlias that no more than three stems must be left in the bush. If more shoots are left on the plant, then the dahlia inflorescences will be much smaller and less decorative. Usually tall
dahlias form in one stem, and medium-sized ones - in two.
It is necessary to regularly break out the appearing stepsons - side shoots growing in the leaf axils. Stepsons are removed as early as possible in order to less injure the plant. Remaining on the bush, they strongly thicken it, delay flowering and reduce the quality of the inflorescences. The work is carried out until lateral shoots with buds appear at the top of the stem.
To receive more inflorescences, the main shoot is pinched over the 4th or 5th pair of leaves. Otherwise, all the forces of the plant will be directed to the formation of a single bud - the first, strongest flower. At the heart of this natural goal is the plant's desire to set full-fledged seeds, because all living things yearn to continue their kind. On such an unpicked bush, you may no longer see more flowers.
Remove the central bud or the central bud and one of the lateral ones. Such an operation leads to lengthening and strengthening of the peduncle, and an increase in the size of the inflorescence. This is done to obtain very large cut or show specimens.
If the inflorescences were not cut, then they are removed as soon as they begin to fade, since otherwise the development of buds is delayed and deteriorates appearance landings.
In the second half of summer, on the stem at a height of up to 30 cm, remove lower leaves... This prevents its excessive thickening in the lower part, which, in turn, contributes to a better overwintering of the tuber nest. At the end of August, the plants are spud up to a height of 10-15 cm.This technique excludes the possibility of freezing of tubers and replacement buds on the root collar and the lower part of the stem, ensures greater safety of the nest when winter storage... If possible, the plants are spud up in July as well. Early hilling has a different purpose - to improve the conditions for tuberization and increase the shoot resistance to breaking out. Loosening and weeding are carried out as usual.
Dahlia diseases and pests
Dahlias are susceptible to diseases such as viral mosaic, powdery mildew, bacterial cancer. If the plant is infected with a viral mosaic, then on the leaf plates you can find spots of light green color of various sizes and shapes, or yellowing, which stretch along the veins of the leaves. Lesions are also evidenced by a short pedicel, a shortened internode, a dwarf plant, and an atypical color of the petals. Most effective remedy control in such cases is considered a careful culling of diseased plants, as well as their burning.
Bacterial cancer is found, as a rule, on the tubers when they are dug up or in the fall. First, ugly buds appear on the root collar of the affected plants, and then growths. In autumn, all affected tubers should be discarded and then burned.
On pest dahlias, slobbering pennits, flower beetles, slugs and aphids are often found.
From a slobbering penny powdery mildew, aphids, as well as flower beetles, spraying with urea (1 g per 250 ml of water) or mullein infusion (1:10) helps. Spraying is carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening.
Aphids are fought with the help of onion peel infusion, garlic infusion, chlorophos (5 g per 5 liters of water) and ash.
To get rid of slugs, you can treat the leaves with a 10% decoction of capsicum.
When dahlias bloom, their buds are often spoiled by pests - two-tails (earwigs). These insects gnaw the delicate tissues of the bud, so that the inflorescence blooms ugly. These pests do their dirty work at night. To save the plants from damage by these pests, at the first appearance of signs of an attack by two-tails on dahlias, you need to periodically (about once a week) treat dahlia bushes in the evening with a decoction of protective plants - celandine, wormwood and other useful herbs. This will keep the lovely dahlia blossoms intact.
Dahlia tubers cleaning
The dahlia tubers begin to harvest when most of the leaves have hit the first severe frosts, but the big frosts have not yet come. They are usually dug out in late September - early October at freezing temperatures in good weather. So that the dahlia tubers can be well ventilated, at a height of 10-15cm. the stems are cut from the soil surface and the tubers are carefully dug out, being careful not to damage them. First, the neck is freed from the ground, then the tuber is dug in from all sides at a distance of 25-30 cm from the neck and carefully removed. The dug dahlia tubers are washed from the ground, dipped in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate and placed under a canopy to dry. You can put them upside down with the rhizome, thus allowing all the moisture to drain, leaving the water from the rhizomes and from the hollow part of the stems. First, they are dried at a temperature of 15-18 degrees in the air, then I am indoors. After drying the rhizomes of dahlias, they are laid for storage.
Dahlias storage
Dahlias are best stored in a cool, dark, ventilated, dry place with a temperature of about + 5 degrees.
It can be a subfloor or an anti-freeze basement. We put the dahlias in one layer in boxes and cover them with peat, sand, ash, moss or sawdust. For pouring dahlia tubers
you can use perlite and others suitable materials... But the best option may be coniferous sawdust or moss: at the same time, the rhizome does not dry out and breathes, and the sawdust and moss give the tubers stored in them an optimal proportion of moisture and at the same time disinfect. Storage with ash gives very good results, as it is an excellent disinfectant material.
For urban gardeners in the absence of a basement and a shortage of storage space, the second method of storing dahlia tubers is more suitable. Choose a suitable box for the tubers, make several holes with a diameter of 8-10 mm in the side walls for ventilation and normal gas exchange of the rhizomes.
Lay a layer of dahlia tubers at the bottom of the box and fill it with (sawdust, perlite, etc.). Place another layer of tubers on top, and again cover with the materials used. Fill the box to the top and put it in the very cool place in the apartment.
In autumn, until frost sets in, dahlias can be stored on the balcony, and when the temperature drops, the box with tubers can be brought into the apartment and placed at the balcony door.
If there is a possibility of intensive drying of tubers, they are placed in plastic bags. When storing tubers in bags, care must be taken to ensure that there is a layer of insulating material between the film and the tubers. Moisture vapors formed during the respiration of tubers condense on the walls of the bag and cause rotting of the tubers in contact with them. Several times during the storage period, it is necessary to selectively open the packages and check the condition of the tubers. If there is a danger of the stored material drying out, the substrate is slightly moistened; when the substrate moisture appears, the bags are opened for ventilation. When decay is detected, the affected area of the tuber is cut out to healthy tissue, the cut site is treated and dried in air for about a day, and then laid back.
Description and features of dahlias
Its name dahlia flowers received to the glory of a botanist from St. Petersburg by the name of Georgi. They are very popular in Mexico and Colombia.
Variety names dahlia has about 24 pieces. Looking at dahlia photo, then you can pay attention to their feather-like leaves, which reach a length of 0.4 meters.
In rare cases, it can be found with whole leaves. Flowers at first glance resemble baskets. After one year of flowering, about 140 seeds can be obtained from one root.
Another one distinctive featuredahlia- lack of aroma. However, there are rare species that smell very delicate. Dahlias perfectly complement any ensemble in a flower bed, and will also decorate fences and front gardens. They are also planted as growing separately.
It should be noted that the dahlia culture is relatively young. They began to gain popularity at the end of the 18th century. There have been ups and downs in their lifetime. People sometimes called them a flower without a soul, and breeders bred and bred new varieties and dahlias were again at the peak of popularity.
Currently, more than 1,500 varieties of dahlia are known. They can differ in the color and shape of the petals, and in height. One variety can be decorative, while the other will be somewhat similar to a peony or even a cactus.
Types of dahlias
Anemone dahlias - got their name because of their external resemblance to an anemone flower. They belong to the group of medium-sized plants with a stem height of more than 0.5 meters. The diameter is from 5 to 11 cm. The central petals are long and tubular, the edges are framed by the flat petals.
In the photo, anemone dahlias
Collar -Small central petals wrapped in tubes are framed by a kind of collar of single-row, larger and flatter petals. The center and edges of the collared dahlias are contrasting in their colors. The plant is tall from 70 cm to 1.2 meters.
Collared dahlias
Peony - Very beautiful, lush inflorescences similar to garden peonies... They grow up to 1.5 meters. They are one of the favorite types for decorating suburban areas.
Peony dahlias
Lotus-like - All varieties of this species are terry. The inflorescences are beautiful, the petals are large, laid out in seven rows. They got their name due to the similarity with the lotus. The flower reaches 20 cm or more in diameter. There are medium-tall 1.2 meters and lower grades 0.4 meters.
In the photo, lotus dahlias
Decorative - Decorative dahlias in terms of their prevalence among other species, they occupy a leading place. There are a large number of varieties. They are not inferior in beauty.
Decorative dahlias
Spherical (pom-shaped) - this type is very similar to a ball that is formed big amount small petals. They differ in the size of the inflorescences, which are not very large from 8 to 16 cm in spherical and 5 cm in pump-shaped ones. Both species are tall and reach 1.2 meters. They are used for cutting and look great in bouquets.
Spherical (pom-shaped) dahlias
Cactus (semi-cactus) - perhaps this species can be called the most original. Cactus dahlias look slightly spiky and uncombed. Their narrow petals wrapped in a tube, sometimes curved and even with split ends.
In the photo cactus dahlias
They are considered terry. In diameter, the inflorescences are large, from 20 to 25 cm. There are tall up to 1.5 meters and medium-tall 1 meter. Semi-cactus are something between decorative dahlias and cactus.
Dahlia varieties
Pompous Franz Kafka - Flower diameter 5-8 cm. Terry, does not have a pronounced smell. Resistant to diseases and climatic conditions. The color is lilac.
Dahlia pompous variety Franz Kafka
Dipest Yellow is a type of low-growing pompous dahlia. The diameter of the flower is 5 cm. The petals are barrel-shaped. The color is bright yellow. The petals may differ in shade. Flowering begins in early summer and lasts until mid-autumn.
In the photo, a dahlia variety Dipest Yellow
Ball Sylvia - Large variety... Flowers up to 26 cm in diameter. Petals are tight-fitting, are next to each other while forming a ball. Color spectrum orange, there are varieties with less bright colors. They are famous for their beautiful flowering from mid-summer to late autumn.
Dahlia Ball Sylvia
Pom-shaped Marble Ball - Terry inflorescences with beautiful flowering. The flowers are not large. They reach 4-6 cm in diameter. They are famous for their extraordinary variegated range. Mostly purple flowers with white, variegated stripes. Flowering begins in mid-summer until late autumn.
Pompom Marble Ball variety
Cactus Fringet Star - this variety is famous for its unpretentiousness. large. In diameter I reach 26 cm. The petals resemble the thorns of a cactus, only they are in the form of tubes.
The color scheme is not monochromatic. The core is yellow, and the lower petals are a beautiful pink shade. The flowering period occurs in mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Dahlia cactus Fringet Star
Fricole - let me introduce another variety of cactus dahlias. Terry flowers. The flowers are voluminous. They reach 20 cm in diameter. The petals resemble needles that are rolled into tubes. The color scheme is not monochromatic. The core is ruby and the tips are whitish. The flowering period is mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Geogin variety Fricole
Aloha is a cactus species. Terry petals. Long bloom. The flowers are voluminous. They reach 26 cm in diameter. The petals of the flower are long, slightly sharp at the end.
Aloha dahlia variety
They differ in that the petals are not tubular. The flowers have an interesting color scheme. The core is yellow and the edges of the petals are red. The flowering period occurs in mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Decorative Maksime - terry petals. Long flowering. The flowers are not large. In diameter they reach up to 14 cm. In appearance, they seem voluminous because of the interesting petals.
Dahlia Decorative Maxima
The petals are triangular and wide. Their color scheme is extraordinary. itself is red, and the edges of the petals are golden. The flowering period begins in mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Lotus-shaped Barbarossa - Flowers reach 18 cm in diameter. Petals are flat with sharp tips. The color scheme is bright. Mostly red. The flowering period begins in mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Dahlia Lotus Barbarossa
Gerry Hoek - Another type of lotus dahlia. Flowers are 16 cm in diameter. Petals are not large, pointed at the tip. The color scheme of the flower is pink. The flowering period occurs from mid-summer to late autumn.
In the photo, the variety of dahlia Gerry Hoek
Globular Evelyn - Terry inflorescences and bloom simply excellent. The flowers are medium in size. They grow up to 16 cm in diameter. In the core, the petals are small, rolled into tubes with a yellow color.
In the photo dahlia Spherical Evelyn
Wide petals are located at the edges of the bud. Their color scheme is snow-white, and the edges are lilac. The flowering period begins in mid-summer and before the first frost.
A very rare variety from the entire numerous family is black dahlia... Many amateur gardeners want to get such a unique plant on their site.
black dahlia
Planting and breeding dahlias
Many are wondering when to plant dahlias? Planting dahlias in the ground should be carried out in mid-June, when frosts have passed and the land is ready for planting. Dahlia growing not too much hard work, the most important thing is to follow the instructions.
Before boarding, you need to find appropriate place for dahlias. Cannot be planted in drafts. The place should be sunny. For dahlias, the most important thing is light and slightly acidic soil.
It must pass water well. In order for the dahlias to be healthy and continue to bloom, it is recommended that the flowers be transplanted to a new place every year.
In the middle of spring before the new planting season dahlia tubers needs to be cleansed of bad roots. To command new sprouts, the root can be placed in wet (spilled with potassium permanganate) sawdust.
The warmth emanating from the sawdust and moisture revives the asleep as quickly as possible. After that, you can plant the dahlias in the soil so that the roots go completely underground. Manure can be put into the hole and covered with earth. So that the roots are not damaged.
Plant flowers and cover with earth. In cases where the dahlia variety is high, then it is necessary to make a support for the flower, as if to fence it off. After the dahlia has already been planted, it is necessary to thoroughly moisten it, preferably with cool water.
The best way grow dahlias from seeds with the help of seedlings. Seeds are planted in open ground at the end of spring and begin to bloom only at the end of summer. Dahlia seedlings it is recommended to plant in early April in special containers.
Flowers take root well in the ground with the addition of sand. After sowing annual dahlia cover the box with foil so that the seeds fall into the greenhouse conditions. The first leaves can be seen in a week. The air temperature must be at least +24 degrees.
Care and storage of dahlias
While the flower is in a state of growth, it must be fertilized before it. This procedure should be done in two weeks. By alternately adding mineral and organic matter.
We must not forget that the stems of dahlias are weak and strong winds may damage them. Therefore, it is imperative to tie them to whatever support. With proper care and attention, dahlias will bloom and delight the eye.
With the onset of autumn frosts, perennial dahlias always turn black. The stems are cut, leaving no more than 15 cm of the plant on the surface. Then the tubers of flowers are very carefully dug out of the soil.
Some housewives store dahlia tubers by pretreating them with paraffin. Such activities allow you to destroy pathogenic microbes. Only dry tubers can be stored for storage, otherwise they will rot and die.
The rhizomes (tubers) of dahlia flowers are stored at a certain temperature of no more than 5 degrees Celsius. For such purposes, a basement or underground is ideal. In urban conditions, it is undoubtedly more difficult to preserve tubers, the most the best way- it's near the balcony door.
It is necessary to choose the right box so that the tubers can easily fit there. Small holes must be drilled in the box for air to enter. Sprinkle the tubers with sawdust and remove. In the autumn periods before frost, you can keep the tubers on the balcony.
Dahlia price
Buy dahlias you can in the online store or in the market. The price for one rhizome can range from 150 to 300 rubles, it depends on the quality, variety and type. Packaged seeds will cost from 150 rubles to 250. We must not forget that there are not many seeds in one packet.
Dahlias decorate autumn gardens and front gardens, delight with the lush beauty of their flowers from the second half of summer until frost. Large flowers of the most different shapes and the colors on tall bushes look very attractive.
Dahlia - Russian name this flower. Its botanical name is Dahlia (Dahlia), it belongs to the Aster family. Dahlias are a perennial tuberous plant with stems dying off by winter and powerful perennial tubers that have a supply of nutrients.
Dahlia's homeland is North America. These plants were well known to the Aztecs and Mayans.
Currently, there are more than 10 thousand varieties perennial dahlias... They are conventionally divided into 10 groups according to the shape of petals and inflorescences: anemic, collar, decorative, non-double (simple), spherical, cactus, semi-cactus, peony, pompom and mixed. Dahlia varieties differ in both the size of the bush and the timing of flowering. Inflorescences have a variety of colors, only blue and blue are missing. In addition to monochromatic varieties, there are many varieties with variegated petals.
Dahlia Ken 's Rarity
Perennial dahlias do not hibernate in soil in areas where temperatures drop below freezing. These are heat-loving plants. Their stems and leaves dry up with the arrival of cold weather, powerful tubers remain in the ground. To preserve the dahlias, the tubers are dug up and stored in a cellar or other cool room during the winter.
All varieties of dahlias we know are perennial herbaceous plants with hollow stems, from 50 cm to 2 m in height.Dahlias, the cultivation and care of which has its own characteristics, is an exciting activity for lovers of these flowers different forms and colors. Dahlia varieties with double flowers are most loved by florists. Among them, there are pom-poms, decorative, chrysanthemum, feathery and other forms. Consider the secrets of planting, reproduction of dahlias by dividing tubers, cuttings, seeds.
The root part of dahlias are large elongated cone-shaped tubers that attach to the root collar, on which there are vegetative buds. On the tubers themselves, these buds are not. The death of the neck leads to the death of the entire plant.
Dahlia tubers are planted in a flower garden after they pass spring frosts... Seedlings emerge from the ground very quickly. The first flowers open in July and last until frost.
How to grow dahlias from tuber parts
Dahlias are easily propagated by dividing tubers, cuttings, grafts and seeds. With any of these methods of reproduction, plants will bloom in the first year. At vegetative propagation all qualities are transmitted from parents to descendants. With seed reproduction, the inflorescences of most plants are of poor quality.
The division of tubers is carried out after pre-germination them shortly before landing in the ground - this is easier to identify best places for cutting. This is done with overgrown dahlia tuber roots.
About a month before dahlias are planted in open ground, they are placed in boxes or boxes with sawdust. The layer of sawdust above the tubers should be at least 5-6 cm.Dahlias are watered warm water, preventing the sawdust from drying out. As soon as you notice that the eyes have hatched, you can begin the division process. The procedure is as follows.
The dahlia tuber should be divided into several parts, so that each has 2-3 eyes. Cut from above with a sharp, clean knife. Places of cuts, sections are sprinkled with crushed activated carbon or sifted ash. Parts of the root tuber are slightly dried and planted either in open ground, or germinated in sawdust.
V middle lane dahlia tuber roots germinate in April, and in the Kuban - in March. In the latter case, when planted in open ground, they bloom in May-June.
Dahlias from cuttings, reproduction
Cutting is the most effective method breeding dahlias. With this method, already in January, tubers are pre-germinated in sawdust, as described above. In March-April, when the sprouts that have appeared reach a height of 5-7 cm, they are carefully broken off or carefully cut with a knife. Cuttings that have been cut off from the root collar are best rooted. In professional language, such sprouts are called sprouts with a heel. They root better, give stronger plants.
Then, in those places from which the sprouts were cut, new ones grow, but they are no longer so strong, their quality is much lower. You can, of course, also use them for reproduction, if you have some kind of rare variety. But it is not recommended to cut off the shoots for rooting more than two or three times.
Cuttings cut from the heel are planted in a container with earth, which is well spilled with warm water before planting. Until the sprouts hatch, the containers are covered with glass or transparent film, remembering to periodically ventilate.
There is one secret when growing dahlias from cuttings: rooted cuttings should be transplanted into not very loose dishes - plastic pots, cans... At the same time, the tubers will form plump, compact. And if they are left in boxes, then the tubers will grow elongated, thin. The quality of plants grown from such tubers is not high.
It may happen that the shoots intended for rooting have overgrown, grown too long. Do not despair - such sprouts need to be rooted not in the ground, but in water. After planting in open ground, such seedlings are no different from those that were obtained from sprouts of normal sizes.
Growing dahlias from seeds
Often questions arise about the reproduction of dahlias by seeds. Is it possible? Yes, but it is not quick way, it is rather used by breeders to obtain new varieties and hybrids. But ordinary growers can also use it. You can plant seeds directly in open ground, or you can grow seedlings first.
The seeds are planted flat in seedling boxes with nutrient soil, covered with sand or loose soil on top of no more than 0.5 cm. As soon as 2-3 true leaves are formed at the seedlings, they are planted in open ground. The distance between the seedlings is 5-7 cm.
Taking care of seedlings grown from seeds is not quite ordinary. Firstly, the soil is not fertilized before planting seedlings. Secondly, no additional fertilizing is given during the growth process. Why create such Spartan conditions? And so that young dahlias show how decorative they can be, beautiful in the worst conditions. When they bloom, they choose the best ones, and you can remove the rest from the flower bed.
Dahlias are planted in the spring, and the ground in the flowerbed, where the flowers will grow, is prepared in the fall. Be sure to dig shovels onto the bayonet without breaking the lumps. After the first frost, the bed is fertilized with decomposed humus and dug up again.
Planting and caring for dahlias, when and how
Dahlias are planted in the Kuban usually in the second half of April, when the soil warms up to a depth of 20-25 cm.They are planted so that the root collar is 5-7 cm covered with earth.
Get creative with planting and positioning dahlias different varieties in the flowerbed. Consider the height. color of flowers. Dahlias with dark colors will look good next to varieties of lighter colors. Try to plant burgundy next to white or cream, red - with yellow or pink, lilac in different shades.
How to care for dahlias? There is nothing difficult in caring for dahlias. Cultivars with tall stems definitely require a garter. If you want to have large inflorescences, then 2-3 shoots with buds are left on one bush, and the rest are removed. Many varieties have a tendency to pinch. Therefore, so that the flowers do not become smaller, the stepsons pinch immediately after their appearance. Remember to remove the lower leaves when they begin to wither and dry out.
During flowering, the soil under the dahlia bushes is watered abundantly, they do not allow it to dry out. From the moment the buds appear and throughout the flowering, the plants begin to feed. You can use special fertilizers for flowers, for example, Kemiroi plus or homemade herbal infusion.
Around October (in the Kuban) dahlias fade. This is the first signal to dig.
Dahlia flowers – bright flowers ornamental plants that grow on lush bushes... Dahlia is a representative of the Compositae. The flowers received their Russian and German names in honor of the Russian naturalist Georg, who was of German origin. In English-speaking countries, these flowers are called "daliyah" in honor of Andreas Dahl, the Swedish botanist who first described them. Dahlias are also called "flowers of the outgoing summer", because variegated flowers appear on them in the fall, when most ornamental plants has already faded. Mexico is considered the homeland of dahlia. V wild-growing flowers are found in Peru, Chile. To date, more than 15 thousand varieties of this plant are known.
The Maya tribes used dahlias for their rituals. The so-called "temples of the sun" were simply drowned in these vibrant colors. In ancient times, people considered dahlias to be messengers of the Sun, they were worshiped and revered. The Aztecs called dahlias "Akotli", used them for gastronomic purposes, and grew them as a medicinal and decorative flower.
According to ancient legends, the dahlia was considered royal flower, it was grown only on the territory of the princely gardens. Once a young man named George served with the prince. The young gardener fell in love with the girl so much that he violated the prince's prohibition by giving her a flower of amazing beauty. The prince severely punished the young man in love, putting him in a dungeon, where he died. Beautiful flower began to be called by the name of the gardener, since then he grew up in the gardens of ordinary people.
Another legend says that these flowers appeared in the place where the last bonfire was, which went out with the onset of the ice age. The first plant that sprouted with warmth was precisely the dahlias. Who knows, perhaps since then, dahlias have been considered a symbol of the victory of life over death. Another legend about the origin of flowers is also associated with a young man. A long time ago, the navigator George was struck by the beauty of an unknown flower that he saw in one of the countries. The navigator decided to bring such beauty home and took the root of this plant with him. On the way home, George stopped in one country. He liked the country so much that he gave the king a root amazing flower... The king ordered to plant a plant in his garden, when the flower bloomed, everyone was amazed at its beauty, in gratitude to the young man for the gift they called the flower a dahlia.
Growing: planting and care
It is very easy to grow dahlias, they are one of the most unpretentious flowers. Flowers are planted with seedlings or sprouted nodules. Dahlias are planted in seedlings in mid-May, small flowers can be covered plastic wrap... The second method involves growing dahlias with nodules, they are planted in early May. Dahlias prefer a sunny location with moist, fertile soil.
Caring for dahlias consists of regular watering, weeding, weeding, feeding. Flowers should be watered in drought, dahlias need abundant but infrequent watering... The plant should be fed during the growth period, then during the budding and flowering period. You can feed flowers with mullein infusion with the addition nitrogen fertilizers and superphosphate.
Healing properties
The medicinal properties of dahlias make it possible to classify them as medicinal flowers. The substances that have been found in this plant rid the body of toxins, cholesterol, heavy metals. Decoctions of these flowers normalize metabolic processes and the function of the pancreas. For medicinal purposes, flowers with small buds are used. Dahlias are also very beneficial for the cardiovascular system.
The rhizomes and leaves of this flower contain polysaccharides, amino acids, many micro - and macronutrients. Tincture from this plant is a good prophylactic agent against diabetes mellitus. Dahlias have a positive effect on joints, help with their inflammation. In the United States, scientists isolate inulin from dahlia tubers, which is then used to produce fructose. In medicine, fructose is a natural substitute for sugar and starch. This use of dahlias is very valuable for people with diabetes.
In cosmetologists, this flower is used for hair care. Two tablespoons of powder from the tubers of the plant are rubbed into the roots of the hair along with a teaspoon of honey, vegetable oil and yolk. The mask is washed off after 30 minutes. This mask helps with brittle, dull hair.
Fresh flower leaves are applied to the skin to treat acne. Dahlia rhizomes are used to make a homemade mask that is suitable for aging skin. To do this, gruel or powder from rhizomes is mixed with a tablespoon of homemade sour cream and applied to the face for 20 minutes. Wash off the mask first with warm and then cold water.
Cooking use
In cooking, dahlia flowers are not used as often as other edible flowers. Dahlia petals can be added to salads or appetizers.
Mexican cuisine offers to taste dishes from the tubers and inflorescences of this plant. In Central America, dried dahlia petals or their fried tubers are consumed. From the tubers of the plant, a drink is prepared, which is used as an alternative to tea or coffee. This drink is known as Dacora. Sometimes honey or cream is added to the drink to improve its taste. The calorie content of dahlia flowers is very low, which allows them to be added to dietary meals.
Dahlia flowers benefits and treatment
The benefits of these autumn colors have found their application in folk medicine... There are several recipes for medicinal products based on this plant. To lower blood sugar and for problems with the pancreas prepare an alcoholic tincture from dahlia flowers. For tincture, take 10 grams of dry raw materials and pour 100 ml of vodka. The mixture is infused for several weeks in a dark place, after the tincture is filtered and drunk 5 drops before meals 3-4 times a day. Before use, the product is diluted in water.
Fresh leaves of the plant will help with cuts, pimples, wounds. In the spring and winter period in the absence of fresh raw materials, dried dahlia leaves can be used. The leaves are washed and applied to the sore spot, securing the top with a plaster. Before using dry leaves, they should first be soaked with water. Dahlia leaves are used with boils, calluses, suppurations.
Dahlias will help improve a person's condition with a disease such as arthritis... To do this, the tubers of this flower are mixed with horseradish root, Adam's root, hop cones, wateryag and date grains. All the necessary components are taken in equal parts, crushed into powder and poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:10. The mixture is infused for a week, and then the tincture is rubbed in in the morning and in the evening, the course of treatment is two months. If necessary, repeat the course in two months.
Harm of dahlia flowers and contraindications
Flowers and other parts of a dahlia can harm the body with individual intolerance. It is contraindicated to take tinctures and decoctions of the plant during pregnancy and in childhood.
