Annual dahlias: description, planting and care, especially the growing

The Flower beds, urban gardens and home gardens, created by caring hands, amazing riot of colors and variety of plants. Annual dahlias - large, gorgeous flowers that can be found in almost all regions of the country. Unpretentious, with original colors and form of dahlias is deservedly one of the first places for growing on personal plots.

Description

In Central America the natives used large tubers flowers in food, and the hollow stems were used as water pipes. In Europe flowers were originally introduced under the guise of vegetable crops. The taste quality produced experience of Europeans, in contrast to the colourful and large flowers.

Plants belong to the family Compositae or Asteraceae genus Dahlia. To this genus include 42 species. They are distinguished by the presence of colors with large, sometimes globular heads. Head inflorescences of wild American species are represented by flowers are of two kinds: in the middle are small tubular flowers (they produce fruit) more often yellow. At the edges – reed (like sunflower), white shade, not a fruit. They consist of a tightly twisted peresobrany petals or a rolled tube. The cultural double varieties of various hues median flowers are reborn in the not fruit. This inflorescence acquires a more dense structure, sometimes forming the shape of a perfect ball.

Annual dahlias form tubers, they can dig, keep till spring and use for later spring planting. You can not do this, and grow flowers every year from seed. The plant raises its inflorescence at a height of 80-120 cm Number of varieties of dahlias is huge - a few hundred. Among them are dahlias annual low-growing to 20 cm and taller - about 60-70 cm, the most amazing shades. They differ in size, shape of flowers and leaves. Long blooming (July to frost) and the appearance of the plant several (10-15) flowers with a diameter of 12 cm makes dahlias are very popular among gardeners and landscape designers.

Features

The Main advantage of annual dahlias - their simplicity. In addition, they have several key advantages:

• Very long period of lush flowering;
• Variety of color, shapes, blossoms and petals, their surfaces, the height of the bushes;
• Easy care;
• Easy sowing;
• The ability to grow in different climatic zones of the country;
• There is no need to dig and store the tubers (in the period of storage, they often die or are subjected to fungal diseases);
• Easily tolerate adverse weather conditions;
• Combines perfectly with other colors, look great as a single planting.

Classification

Bicentennial history of breeding in many countries of the world gave birth to several tens of thousands of varieties. There is a need to systematize them. In 1962, the updated international classification of plants was divided into 10 classes:

• Anemone;
• Collar;
• Decorative;
• Cactus;
• Nemahrovaya;
• Transitional (mixed);
• Peony;
• Poluektova;
• Pompon;
• Spherical.

As you can see from the names of the classes, varieties added to them, based on external signs. Annual dahlias are different:

• Height of Bush: dwarf, medium, tall;
• In the form, size, color of the Bud;
• The features of the shape of the petals;
• Color of the leaves;
• The timing of flowering.

In 1982, the Academy of Sciences of the USSR issued a reference book (edited by V. N. Biloba) with updated classification of dahlias:

• Anemone;
• Collar;
• Decorative;
• Cactus with curved petals;
• Nampanya;
• Single row;
• Peony;
• Poluektova;
• Pompon;
• Straight cactus blended;
• Mixed;
• Spherical.

Today, the most common are hybrid varieties under the common name Dahlia cultural or changeable, there are about fifteen thousand varieties.

Growing from seed

The Technology of cultivation of seeds of annual flowers is easy. Seedlings sown in the third decade of April. You can pick up a small plastic container, but it is better to distribute the seeds in separate pots. For this purpose you can use common plastic cups (they make holes to drain excess moisture). The seeds are quite large, so the difficulties with sowing will not. The sequence of operations:

• Seeds are soaked for 24 hours;
• On the prepared soil (it can be purchased in a specialty store) laid the seed;
• On top of it sprinkled a layer of sand and lightly compacted;
• Be watering with water at room temperature;
• Covered with the film.

Roughly 5-7 days the first seedlings appear, if the room is not lower than +25 °C. the seeds are in the container with the advent of the first two real leaves produce a dive (in a separate container).

A week before planting in the garden the seedlings harden.In may (in southern regions) plants can be planted in their permanent place of growth, respecting an interval of at least 30 cm Seedlings are easily transferred to transplant and grow well. There is another option, when the seeds for seedlings sown in the open ground under the film. This can be done in April-may. The flower bed flowers are transplanted in early June.

It is Possible to sow seeds directly in beds. Time when to plant annuals dahlias in open ground, depending on the climatic zone. This is usually done in June, after the threat of a sudden night frosts. When planting be sure to keep your distance. It is preferable to choose Sunny areas with a neutral, loose and fertile soil. Flowering these plants will be later – in August.

Seed Collection

Many growers to retain their own beds any annual variety of Dahlia. Growing from seed starts with their collection. The technology is simple. Choose a strong and beautiful inflorescence, after its decay leave the head in the Bush. That the seeds have ripened, it will take about 6 weeks, so the material leaving the first flowers.

In warm, dry weather in late September, the basket of Dahlia cut and dried in the room. Then gently shake out the seeds, placing them in paper bags and stored until spring. You need to consider that the seeds of hybrid plants can spring surprises. Next summer the colour of petals can be different from the parent. Annual dahlias also form nodules. If they fall to dig up and keep “live” to spring, the flower bed will bloom Dahlia with absolutely the same characteristics as the original plant.

Boarding

The annual Planting of dahlias in the open ground start only after establishing a positive air temperature. Planting is preferably done in the morning. The first few days the seedlings cover non-woven material or protective caps. The sequence of operations:

1. A Bed prepared in the fall. It should be on the Sunny side of the site, protected from the wind. In the soil making fertilizer, it is well dug over and are planning a patch.
2. Spring in the furrows, dig holes under the seedlings. The distance between them depends on the height of the dahlias.

The Distance between flowers: 70 cm-high, 50 cm – for medium, not less than 30 cm – for short.

• In every hole poured a bit of ash and compost is thoroughly mixed with the earth. Now you can plant the seedlings. If it high, then bury the seedlings up to the first cotyledon leaves.
• Seedlings in a clay, glass or plastic containers for a couple of hours before planting abundantly watered. This will help easily remove the seedling without damaging the root system. Peat and paper cups buried in the ground (with seedlings).
• Seedlings well watered and mulch around them with soil.

Clock

For beginner growers for growing annual dahlias to recommend. Planting and care do not require care like in perennial plants. Not necessary every autumn to dig and store the tubers to think about where and how to save them. Modern varieties of annual flowers are not inferior in size, shape, variety of colors with its multi-year “relatives”, and caring for them much easier.

To order the annual dahlias bloomed long and abundant, the dried up head and remove (if not a task of seed collection). This shrub will look healthy and fresh. Water the plants as drying the soil, the excess moisture is not welcome. Fertilizing and mineral, and organic fertilizers. The soil around the bushes to pollinate wood ashes. It protects from pests and serves as an additional fertilizer.

Some tips

Today, a lot of fans are grown or are planning to have on your portion of annual dahlias. Planting and care are simple, but experienced gardeners suggest:

• Landing. The plants are planted or seedlings, or seeds. The first option is more suitable for the climate of Central Russia, the second for the southern regions with mild climate. Not recommended to plant dahlias in the same place for two consecutive seasons. The ground should give “relax” (usually 2-3 years). Low swampy areas unsuitable for such colors.
• Feeding. Poor soil begin to prepare in the autumn, making organic and compound fertilizers. To flowering was abundant, the plants are fertilized before the appearance of buds and the beginning of this process, the first of them. The first fertilizer (potassium and phosphorus) is carried out in two weeks after transplanting. Not to burn the roots, first watered with clean water, and then from fertilizer. Fertile soil does not require additional fertilizer.
• Watering. Waterlogging is unacceptable. The time of irrigation is determined by the soil condition, normally not more often than once in two weeks. By the end of August, stop watering.
• Flowering. For a rich and happy flowering top of the Central escape should primepay. The growth of the lateral stems will form the shape of the Bush and give a large area for tying buds. Withered blossoms is better to remove it. Upon the occurrence of autumn frosts plants covered with agrotextile, this will prolongflowering.

Diseases and pests

Annual dahlias are subject to the same diseases and pests as other garden flowers.

• The Spotting. Manifests itself in the formation on the leaves yellow-green spots. Later they become larger and change color to gray-brown with dark edges. The cause – too thick planting. The affected leaves are plucked and burned, the plants are treated with fungicides. In severe cases (complete defeat Bush) flower destroyed, and the adjacent handle.
• White rot. The fungus thins and changes the color of the stem. This is caused by excessive penetration of the seedling.

• Fusarium wilt. Affects the root system and the tubers removed from this leaves, the buds and the tops of the shoots, they manifested a pinkish tinge. The disease provokes saudinet landing.
• Caterpillar. Eat the young shoots, is critical to the plants when they affect the base of the stem. For a small number of insects harvested by hand, with a massive “attack” to use insecticides.
• Aphids. The first sign of deformation, yellowing and leaf Curling. Damaged areas without regret cut and burned. Neighboring plants treated with a special insecticide against aphids.
• Slugs. Appear at high humidity. Active at night, their main food-plant leaves. Collect and destroy manually to eliminate the causes of excessive moisture.

Regular inspection of the plants and preventive measures will help to avoid defeat or death of dahlias.

Usage

Annual dahlias as garden flowers are very popular in landscape design. The use of all group of flowers and a dwarf, and tall. Often you can see them as part of the group, composition of the landings. They can be in the center of the bed or, conversely, framing your color group. Dahlia annual – grandiflorum, bright and very attractive, they look spectacular and as single plants.

The Dwarf varieties are ideal for decoration of garden paths or borders – flower beds with a length of 15 and width up to 3 meters. They can be planted in pots or tubs. Dahlias make any garden structure or loggia (balcony). They perfectly decorate the small hillside on which they can be planted with a continuous carpet.

Annual dahlias are grown for cutting. Of them always turn out very bright bouquet composition. The flowers are long, delighting gorgeous palette. Prolonged bloom until frost, determines the demand for bouquets of dahlias on September 1.

Varieties

The Best varieties of annual dahlias for growing in home gardens:

• “Bambino” – dwarf, not more than 25 cm in height, inflorescence up to 8 cm in diameter, double, bright shades.
• “Jolly fellows” – up to 60 cm, compact very elegant, much branched bushes, wide color gamut, the middle florets always yellow.

• “Opera” – up to 30 cm, plush, voluminous inflorescences with barely visible yellow inside, which grow well on balconies.
• “Minion” – up to 40 cm, has a very nice original colors.
• “Figaro,” – within 35 cm, has a volume large (up to 10 cm in diameter) inflorescences, color of the petals varied.
• “Piccolo” – up to 45 cm, petals of red, pink, yellow or white flowers, nipping the main stem allows you to get a very beautiful flowering Bush.

Often in stores you can find a mixture of several seeds. They are definitely matched in terms of agricultural activities and upsetting. They can be safely planted in one flowerbed.