Flower beds of urban gardens and home front gardens, created by caring hands, amaze with a riot of colors and a variety of plants. Annual dahlias are large, chic flowers that can be found in almost all regions of the country. Unpretentious, with an original color and shape, dahlias deservedly occupy one of the first places in cultivation on personal plots.
Description
In Central America, the natives used large flower tubers for food, and the hollow stems served as water pipes. Flowers were originally brought to Europe under the guise of a vegetable crop. The palatability did not impress the Europeans, unlike the magnificent colorful and large inflorescences.
Plants belong to the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family, genus Dahlia. This genus includes 42 species. They are distinguished by the presence of flowers with large, sometimes spherical heads. headsinflorescences of wild American species are represented by flowers of two genera: in the middle are tubular small flowers (they bear fruit) are often yellow. Along the edges - reed (reminiscent of a sunflower), white in color, not fruiting. They consist of tightly twisted feather-like petals or are rolled tubules. In cultivated terry varieties of a wide variety of shades, the median flowers degenerated into non-fruiting ones. From this, the inflorescence acquires a denser structure, sometimes forming the shape of a regular ball.
Annual dahlias also form tubers, they can be dug up, stored until spring and used for subsequent spring planting. You can not do this, but grow flowers every year from seeds. The plant raises its inflorescences to a height of 80-120 cm. The number of varieties of dahlias is huge - several hundred. Among them there are annual dahlias, undersized up to 20 cm and taller - about 60-70 cm, of the most amazing shades. They differ in size, shape of flowers and leaves. Continuous flowering (from July until frost) and the appearance of several (10-15) flowers up to 12 cm in diameter on the plant at once makes dahlias very popular with gardeners and landscape designers.
Features
The main advantage of annual dahlias is their unpretentiousness. In addition, they have a number of unconditional advantages:
- very long period of lush flowering;
- variety of color, forms of inflorescences and petals, their surfaces, height of bushes;
- easy care;
- ease of sowing;
- ability to grow indifferent climatic zones of the country;
- no need to dig up and store tubers (during storage they often die or are exposed to fungal diseases);
- tolerate adverse weather conditions easily;
- Pairs beautifully with other colors, looks great as single plantings.
Classification
The bicentennial history of selection work in many countries of the world has given birth to several tens of thousands of varieties. There was a need for their systematization. In 1962, an updated international classification divided plants into 10 classes:
- anemone;
- collar;
- decorative;
- cactus;
- non-double;
- transitional (mixed);
- peony;
- semi-cactus;
- pompoms;
- spherical.
As you can see from the names of classes, varieties are assigned to them based on external features. Annual dahlias vary:
- according to the height of the bush: dwarf, medium, tall;
- on the shape, size, color of the bud;
- according to the peculiarities of the shape of the petals;
- by leaf color;
- by flowering time.
In 1982, the Academy of Sciences of the USSR issued a reference book (edited by V. N. Bylov) with an updated classification of dahlias:
- anemone;
- collar;
- decorative;
- cactus with curved petals;
- nymphae;
- single row;
- peony;
- semi-cactus;
- pompoms;
- straightcactus mixed;
- mixed;
- spherical.
Today, hybrid varieties under the general name of cultural or variable dahlia are most common, there are about fifteen thousand varieties.
Growing from seeds
The technology of growing from seeds of an annual dahlia is not very difficult. They are sown for seedlings in the third decade of April. You can pick up a small plastic container for this, but it is better to immediately distribute the seeds into separate pots. For this purpose, ordinary plastic cups are suitable (holes are made in them to remove excess moisture). The seeds are quite large, so there will be no difficulties with sowing. Sequence of work:
- seeds are soaked for 24 hours;
- a seed is laid out on the prepared soil (it can be purchased at a specialized store);
- top it is sprinkled with a layer of sand and slightly compacted;
- be watered with water at room temperature;
- covered with foil.
Approximately after 5-7 days, the first shoots appear, if the room is not lower than +25 ° С. If the seeds were in a container, then with the appearance of the first two true leaves, they dive (into separate containers).
A week before planting in a flower bed, seedlings are hardened. In May (in the southern regions), plants can be planted in a permanent place of their growth, observing an interval of at least 30 cm. Seedlings easily tolerate transplantation and grow well. There is another option whenseeds for seedlings are sown in open ground under a film. This can be done in April-May. Flowers are transplanted into the flower bed in early June.
You can immediately sow the seeds in the flower beds. The time when to sow annual dahlias in open ground depends on the climate zone. This is usually done in June, after the threat of sudden night frosts has passed. When sowing, be sure to keep a distance. It is preferable to select sunny areas with neutral, loose and fertile soil. Such plants will bloom a little later - in August.
Collecting seeds
Many gardeners independently keep their favorite variety of annual dahlia in their flower beds. Growing from seeds starts with collecting them. The technology is simple. A strong and beautiful inflorescence is chosen, after it wilts, the head is left on the bush. It takes about 6 weeks for the seeds to mature, so the first flowers are left as material.
In warm, dry weather at the end of September, the dahlia basket is cut off and dried indoors. Then the seeds are carefully shaken out, laid out in paper bags and stored until spring. It should be borne in mind that the seeds of hybrid plants can present surprises. Next summer, the color of the petals may be different from the parent. Annual dahlias also form nodules. If they are dug up in the fall and kept “alive” until spring, then a dahlia will bloom in the flower bed with absolutely the same characteristics as the original plant.
Landing
Planting of annual dahlias in open ground begins only afterestablishing a positive air temperature. Landing is preferably carried out in the morning. The first few days, seedlings are covered with non-woven material or protective caps. Sequence of work:
- The flowerbed has been prepared since autumn. It should be on the sunny side of the site, protected from the wind. Fertilizers are applied to the soil, it is dug up well and the beds are planned.
- In the spring, holes are dug in the ridges for seedlings. The distance between them depends on the height of the dahlias.
Distance between flowers: 70 cm for tall ones, 50 cm for medium ones, at least 30 cm for short ones.
- A little ash and compost are poured into each hole, thoroughly mixed with the ground. Now you can plant seedlings. If it is high, then the seedlings are buried to the first cotyledon leaves.
- Seedlings in clay, glass or plastic containers are watered abundantly a couple of hours before planting. This will help to easily remove the seedling without damaging the measles system. Peat and paper cups are buried in the ground (along with seedlings).
- The seedlings are well watered and the soil around them is mulched.
Care
For beginner gardeners, one-year-old dahlias can be recommended for cultivation. Planting and care do not require such worries as perennials. There is no need to dig up and save tubers every autumn, think about where and how to save them. Modern varieties of annual flowers are not inferior in size, shape, variety of colors to their perennial "relatives", and caring for them is much easier.
In order for annual dahlias to bloom for a long time and abundantly, dried heads are removed (if the task of collecting seeds is not worth it). Such a bush will look he althy and fresh. Water the plants as the soil dries out, excess moisture is not welcome. Top dressing is carried out with both mineral and organic fertilizers. The soil around the bushes is pollinated with wood ash. It protects against pests and serves as an additional fertilizer.
A few tips
Today, a lot of lovers grow or plan to start annual dahlias on their site. Planting and care are simple, but experienced gardeners advise:
- Landing. Planted plants either seedlings or seeds. The first option is more suitable for the climate of central Russia, the second - for more southern regions with a mild climate. It is not recommended to plant dahlias in the same place for two consecutive seasons. The earth must be allowed to "rest" (usually 2-3 years). Low wetlands are unsuitable for such flowers.
- Feeding. They begin to prepare scarce soil in the fall, applying organic or complex fertilizers. In order for flowering to be plentiful, the bushes are fed before the appearance of buds and with the beginning of this process in the first of them. The first top dressing (potassium-phosphorus) is carried out two weeks after planting the seedlings. In order not to burn the roots, they are first watered with clean water, and then with fertilizer. Nutritious soil does not require additional fertilizer.
- Water. Overwatering is unacceptable. Watering time is determined by the condition of the soil, usually no more than once atwo weeks. By the end of August, watering is stopped.
- Blooming. For abundant and friendly flowering, the top of the central shoot should be pinned. The growth of the side stems will form the shape of the bush and give a large area for tying buds. Withered inflorescences are best removed immediately. When autumn frosts come, the plants are covered with agrofibre, this will prolong the flowering period.
Diseases, pests
Annual dahlias are subject to the same diseases and pests as other garden flowers:
- Leaf spot. Manifested in the formation of yellow-green spots on the leaves. Later, they become larger and change color to gray-brown with dark edges. The reason is too dense landing. The affected leaves are cut off and burned, the plants are treated with fungicides. In severe cases (complete damage to the bush), the flower is destroyed, and the neighboring ones are processed.
- White rot. The fungus thins and changes the color of the stem. This is caused by excessive deepening of the seedling.
- Fusarium wilt. It affects the root system and tubers, leaves, buds and tops of shoots are taken out of this, a pinkish coating appears on them. The disease provokes a dense planting.
- Caterpillars. They eat young shoots, it is critical for the plant when they affect the base of the stem. With a small number of insects, they are collected manually, with a mass “attack”, insecticides are used.
- Aphids. The first sign is deformation, yellowing and curling of the sheet. Damaged areas are cut and burned without regret. neighboringplants are treated with special insecticides against aphids.
- Slugs. They appear in high humidity. Active at night, their main food is the leaves of plants. Collected and destroyed by hand, eliminate the causes of excessive moisture.
Regular inspection of plants and timely preventive measures will help to avoid damage or death of dahlias.
Use
Annual dahlias as garden flowers are very much in demand in landscape design. All groups of flowers, both dwarf and tall, find application. Often they can be seen as part of group, composite plantings. They can be in the center of the flower bed or, conversely, frame the color group. Dahlias are annuals - large-flowered, bright and very attractive, they also look spectacular as single plants.
Dwarf varieties are great for decorating garden paths or flower beds - flower beds 15 long and up to 3 meters wide. They can be planted in pots or tubs. Dahlias decorate any garden building or loggia (balcony). They will perfectly decorate a small slope where they can be planted in a solid carpet.
Annual dahlias are also grown for cutting. They always make very bright bouquet compositions. Flowers stand for a long time, delighting with a magnificent palette. Long flowering, up to frost, determines the demand for bouquets of dahlias on September 1.
Popular varieties
The best varieties of annual dahlias for growing in home gardens:
- "Bambino" -dwarf, no more than 25 cm in height, inflorescences up to 8 cm in diameter, terry, bright colors.
- "Merry Fellows" - up to 60 cm, compact, very elegant, highly branched bushes, wide range of colors, the middle of the inflorescence is always yellow.
- "Opera" - up to 30 cm, terry, voluminous inflorescences with a barely noticeable yellow center, grow well on balconies.
- "Mignon" - up to 40 cm, has very beautiful original colors.
- "Figaro" - within 35 cm, has voluminous large (up to 10 cm in diameter) inflorescences, the color of the petals is varied.
- "Piccolo" - up to 45 cm, petals of red, pink, yellow or white flowers, pinching the main stem allows you to get a very beautiful flowering bush.
Often in stores you can find mixtures of several seeds. They must be selected according to the timing of agrotechnical work and planting. They can be safely planted in one flower bed.
