Dahlia - a beautiful flower of autumn

It is not for nothing that gardeners like to plant dahlias in flowerbeds, because these flowers have an unimaginable number of varieties. Different types of dahlias differ in many parameters: the height of the stem, the size and shape of the buds, the arrangement of the petals, the conditions of growth and care, and the color gamut.

A little bit about the colors of autumn

The second name of the flower is Dahlia, both names are given by the names of botanists: I. Georgi and A. Dahl. Dahlias belong to the Astrov family, the countries of South America are considered the birthplace of flowers.

It is impossible to tell about all varieties - there are more than ten thousand of them, but you can say a few words about the most common ones. Inflorescences of dahlias can be either gigantic or miniature.

Their petals have very different shapes and colors. In cactus dahlias petals look like thick needles, like twisted into a tube.

Spherical dahlias are distinguished by terry inflorescences with tightly knit needle-shaped petals forming a ball. Pompon dahlias resemble the previous species, but smaller in size.

The variety of dahlias is amazing, and the color scheme overshadows the rainbow - so many tones and shades of these true royal colors.

How to plant dahlias

All types of soil are suitable for plants under conditions of fertility, looseness and moisture holding capacity. It is not recommended to plant them near groundwater - dahlias do not accept excessive moisture.

It is undesirable to plant next to plants with a strong root system, as they pull all the nutrients out of the soil. The soil for the dahlias is prepared, observing the approximate proportions: a humus spade, a pinch of bone meal, a little slaked lime. Before planting, a pit of 30x30 cm in size is filled up to half with this mixture.

Terms of planting in open ground

In the second decade of May, tubers with eyes are planted. Grown up seedlings - in early June, when frosts are excluded.

Site selection and soil preparation

Draft-proof, open and sunlit area - This is the place where you can plant dahlias. No need to plant near high fences and walls, close to trees or high growing bushes: the shadow will not allow dahlias to fully develop and bloom.

Before planting flowers, the ground should be well loosened and sprinkled with bone meal. For the prevention of parasites that harm the roots, you can make in the soil granular insecticides. If diseased plants grew before dahlias, treat the soil with formalin or copper sulfate.

Preparation of tubers for planting

An ungrown tuber is laid on the bottom of the fossa, with a peephole up. They fall asleep with the soil, they water it, and as they grow, they pour the earth in order to cover it completely. Tubers with sprouts before planting are well watered, so that the soil on its roots will be lumped, then it is planted together with the soil in a hole.

How to care for dahlias in the country

Caring for dahlias is no different from caring for other ornamental plants: attention, timely watering and fertilizing, cleaning weeds that interfere with proper growth and nutrition.

Watering and feeding the soil

In hot weather, the flowers need to be watered every day, at the end of the season watering is reduced. It is advisable to spray dahlias in the evenings with settled water at room temperature. During the period of active growth it is recommended to tie dahlias so that they do not break under their own weight.

In order for dahlias to grow well and bloom magnificently, they need to be fed at least three times over the summer with organic fertilizers. It may be cow dung or bird droppings diluted with water. During the flowering period twice a month, the flowers are fertilized with potash and phosphorus solutions.

Loosening and weeding the soil

After each watering it is necessary to loosen the soil, saturating it with oxygen. After the formation of dahlia buds, the soil around the roots is mulched with humus or peat.

Small or poorly developed buds are removed, leaving one or two healthy ones from the three buds in the inflorescence. Blooming inflorescences are also removed so that they do not delay the development of buds.

Weeding is imperative - removing weeds prevents diseases and nutrient deficiencies. In the period of drought, it is desirable to spud the plants, so the moisture will last longer.

Digging and storage of dahlia root crops in winter

It is worth knowing how and at what time to remove dahlias for storage for the winter. The timing of digging depends on the weather in your area, usually the beginning or end of October, before the onset of severe frosts.

It is necessary to cut the stems of the plant with a pruning shears, leaving 15 cm. You need to dig out carefully so as not to damage the roots. For example, forks, making digging from several sides. Leave them for two weeks in a cool place, then put in boxes, cover with sand and peat and store in a cellar.

From time to time it is important to check whether the roots are not getting sick, whether they are dry. If the roots dry up, you can slightly spray them with water.

Dahlia Breeding Methods

To get a luxuriantly flowering, healthy plant, it is important to know how to plant dahlias correctly. The main rule is the quality and health of planting material. In tubers must be strong shoots, and cuttings - small roots and shoots.

Division root root

There are no complicated recipes for growing dahlias from tubers. In the spring, the dahlia tubers, like on potatoes, appear eyes. At this time, you can divide the tubers, soaking them for half a day.

Divided tubers are planted in seedling boxes in moist soil. Leave the tuber neck open. Storage temperature must be at least 15°C.When watering, it is advisable not to get a cut near the neck. The time when dahlias are planted in the spring in the ground is the month of May.

Cuttings

The cutting is carried out in the middle of winter. To begin with, germinate the tubers, and then they cut from them sprouts grown to 7 cm with a piece of the root collar. Sand is poured into the pot chosen for the cutting.

You can process the tips of the stalk "Kornovinom", and then put in a pot, regularly water and ventilate. When the cuttings germinate, you can plant them in open ground.

Growing dahlias from seeds

This breeding method is used for annual and non-double dahlias, as well as for breeding new varieties. With the seed method, dahlias often lose the quality properties of their variety, they often get sick. If you decide to propagate dahlias with seeds, they can be sown both in open ground and in boxes for seedlings in the winter.

Diseases and pests of dahlias, combating them

Dahlias are susceptible to many diseases: viral, bacterial and fungal. When viral yellow ring spot the tips of the leaves are decorated with bright yellow rings and lines.

Bronze different green light circles in the middle of the leaves, while the leaves die. Virus mosaic purses the leaves. The plant grows poorly and blooms, from a normal bush becomes a dwarf. Oak mosaic characterized by pale outlines on the leaves of oak leaves. Unfortunately, the plant that caught the virus must be destroyed, and the tools with which you have processed it must be thoroughly disinfected,as the ground.

Bacterial cancer and fading cancer. In the first case, growths are formed on the root system of the plant. Roots rot and contaminate the soil around them, disease-causing bacteria remain in the soil for up to five years. The second case is characterized by the appearance of light green brush-shaped processes. In these diseases, the plants are also destroyed.

Diseases to fight against: verticillosis, spotting, blackleg, powdery mildew and decay. Signs of these diseases: a darkened thinned stem (blacklegyellowness and sudden wilt (verticillosis), yellowing and decay (white rot) white scurf (powdery mildew).

Powdered with mildew, the plant should be sprayed with preparations containing copper, and repeat the procedure after two weeks. In other cases, the affected areas of the plant are cut, and the rest is treated with various drugs that can be bought at any flower shop.

Insect parasites that attack dahlias: aphids, thrips, bedbugs, wireworms, nematodes. If they appear, spray the plant with a solution of chlorophos, and tobacco infusion can be used against the aphids.

The wireworm, especially the larvae, as well as the cabbage caterpillar, nematodes and woodlice need to be harvested, and then water the plant with karbofos.

Dahlias on your site will create a unique color palette. These plants are good in and of themselves, and in combination with other ornamental shrubs and flowers. All they need is attention and timely care.