Rules and terms of planting dahlias in spring

In the spring of many novice gardeners are interested in questions about when it is best to plant dahlias in open ground. What special conditions are required for this flower. As far as it is unpretentious to the environment and what care it requires. The information below will help to answer these questions.

Landing time

There are no specific dates, since everything depends on the climate zone. From the practice of experienced flower growers it is considered that the most suitable time for planting dahlias in open ground, regardless of weather conditions, is the period from the end of May to the beginning of June. With early planting, the dahlia tubers may freeze and not climb on the cold days of early May. If you plant later, in the midst of a hot summer, immature seedlings of flowers will burn out at the end of July.

With the onset of consistently normal temperature conditions, without the threat of sudden frost, dahlias are planted in the first half or mid-May.

Growing conditions

When in spring the established weather allows planting dahlias in open ground, it should be remembered that these flowers do not tolerate drafts and darkened or overly lighted places. The ideal is a plot with penumbra, which has a free circulation of air. It is recommended to change the landing site annually. In order for dahlias not to degenerate and not hurt, the site for this culture should not be used for three years.

Location and lighting

For these colors, special conditions are not required. Even being in a permanent shadow leads only to a reduced size and more faded colors of the inflorescences.

Therefore, to get all the riot of colors of this beautiful flower, you should grow it in light penumbra. Such placement will allow not only to fully develop the plant, but also to maximize its flowering period. A prerequisite that should be observed - the place of cultivation should be with a moderate level of humidity. Lowlands, in which the accumulation of excess moisture is possible, are not suitable for this culture.

To maintain normal humidity, under adverse conditions, the drainage of the beds, created in the form of a layer of expanded clay or broken red brick, which is located below the root system of the plant, is used.

Soil requirements

Any type of soil is suitable for growing this flower. When properly planted, dahlias normally grow on both black soil and loam and sandstone. Despite the fact that the type and composition of the soil is not particularly important, the site should have good water permeability (drainage is desirable) and sufficient nutrient content (fertilization).

The acidity of the soil is regulated as follows:

• at pH below 5, slaked lime is added to the soil;
• If the pH is above 8, this indicator can be lowered with the help of peat.

How to plant dahlias in spring

When it comes time to plant dahlias, planting holes are built with a depth of 30 and a diameter of 40 cm, which are arranged in one row or spread, with a distance of between 70-80 cm. The free area for one plant should be at least 0.8-1 square meters. m

Tuber preparation

Before planting, the tubers should be germinated. This is done as follows:

1. A trench of one bayonet depth and two bayonet widths of a shovel is dug out at a free site.
2. At the bottom are placed tubers that were dug in the fall, with the division into varieties.
3. Undivided tubers are covered with a layer of 3-4 cm.
4. On top of the trench is closed transparent plastic film to create the greenhouse effect.
5. After 2-3 weeks sprouts appear.
6. Tubers are dug and divided with a sharp knife into pieces that have 2-3 sprouts on each neck.
7. After treatment with potassium permanganate, the tubers are ready for planting.

Planting dahlias

With the onset of warm weather in spring, the time comes when you should plant dahlias in open ground. The wells before planting are filled with earth,mixed with weathered peat or with humus.

For one well enough 3-4 kg of fertilizer. It is recommended to add the following useful elements to organics:

• potassium nitrate - 15 g;
• potassium sulfate - 10 g;
• superphosphate - 15-20 g

When the holes are prepared, a wooden stake, up to 1 m high, is driven into their center, to which the flower will be tied up after it grows.After that, the tubers are planted with the condition that the depth of immersion in the ground will be 3-4 cm more than the previous planting. This is determined by the first internode, which must be covered with soil. At the perimeter of the hole at a distance of 15-20 cm from the stem, an earthen rim is poured to hold 5-6 l of water during irrigation.

Departure after disembarkation

An important condition for the normal growth and development of the flower is the constant support of the soil in which it grows, in the wet state.Drying is unacceptable, as this can lead to the death of the plant.

Watering is carried out using a watering can with a spray nozzle for 10-15 minutes. This contributes to the uniform absorption of moisture into the soil and allows you to increase the humidity of the air, which favorably affects the plant. Monthly fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers diluted in water:

• potassium sulfate: 15 g / 10 l;
• superphosphate: 50 g / 10 l;
• potassium nitrate: 10-15 g / 10 l;
• cow manure slurry: 1/10;
• chicken litter: 0.5 / 10.

Ten liters of solution is enough for 4-5 plants.

From mid-August, superphosphate and potassium sulphate should be added in the amount of 80-100 g and 30 g per square meter. m, respectively. Throughout the season, weeding and loosening of the soil is done, stepchildren and lateral ovaries of flowering shoots are removed. With a high vegetative mass, leaves should be removed to a height of 30 cm from ground level. Such care does not allow the stem to grow at the root of the neck, which will further simplify the storage of tubers in the offseason.

With proper planting of tubers in the spring and compliance with simple conditions of care throughout the season dahlias will grow beautiful and strong.This will allow for a long time to admire the beauty of flowers on the site and indoors as fresh cut bouquets.