Dahlia undersized cultivation from seeds. Sunshet Agrosuccess - protecting plants from sunburn and drought

How to get dahlias from seeds: growing and caring for them is a concern for many garden flower lovers. Dahlias are flowers that have a huge number of varieties. Each variety has its own shades. They bloom all summer until mid-autumn. Bushes reproduce in several ways: roots and seeds. Caring for them is not very difficult.

Some varieties of dahlia

This culture, which grows in almost every household, is represented in stores by many varieties. There are over 15,000 registered! Let's consider some of them:

1. Single row. So called varieties with the arrangement of flower petals in one row. This plant has a flat bud that is always open. The stem grows 25-50 cm high.
2. Peony. They have more lush inflorescences with petals arranged in several rows. The bud is quite large. It can reach a diameter of 20 cm. The leg is 60 to 120 cm high.
3. Collared. They look spectacular thanks to two rows of petals of different sizes. Each row can be painted in different shades of colors.
4. Pompoms. These dahlias have chic spherical buds with a diameter of 3 to 9 cm. Individual flowers grow up to 20 cm.
5. Cactus. In appearance, they resemble a bristling hedgehog. This appearance is created by inflorescences rolled into a tube. They are like needles.
6. Funny boys. Differs in very magnificent blossoming. Flower diameter 10 cm. Does not form tubers. The plant is an annual.
7. Dandy. Semi-double variety with original inflorescences of various colors. The plant belongs to low-growing varieties.
8. Piccolo can be grown in pots on the veranda and in the flower bed. The variety is undersized, 40-45 cm high.
9. Unwins Dwarf up to 60 cm high has branched stems with flowers 6-9 cm in diameter. There are a lot of color shades.

Growing flowers from seeds

How to plant dahlias: growing from seeds or tubers to choose? If you buy seeds in a store, then you will definitely get a bag with a mixture of different types, but approximately the same in height. Having planted them in the garden, you will soon see many colorful buds of different colors, shapes and sizes. But their growth will be about the same. Undersized ones bloom earlier than their tall counterparts. For tall plants, it is good to build props, otherwise the flowers can fly around like a dandelion.

Seeds for seedlings can be grown independently. To do this, you need to carefully look at the faded buds. On many of them, an achene will be found. It is firm and light green in color. When ripe, it becomes dark beige and resembles a small cone. When it dries (this can be seen from the peeling scales), it's time to collect the seeds. They are useful for growing dahlias from seeds. Seeds ripen in autumn at high humidity during rains. Boxes need to be covered from precipitation with a waterproof film. When frost occurs, it is better to cut the stems with boxes and bring them into the house. In a container with water in a couple of weeks they will ripen.

Ripened boxes are cut from the stem and carefully opened. Inside are pieces of 10-15 seeds. Under favorable conditions, they can be stored at home for 3-4 years. How to grow a crop and when to plant seeds?

Growing seedlings begins with soil preparation. In autumn, you need to take an equal amount of sand, turf and humus, mix them and sift. Next, the soil needs to be warmed up and treated with a solution of manganese. This is done in order to combat diseases and various pests. The treated soil is poured into dishes (containers, boxes) and moistened. Dahlias should be planted with seeds to a depth of 1-2 cm. The distance between them is 3 cm. Containers with soil and seeds are placed in a warm place where the temperature is maintained from 23 to 25 degrees. Boxes with future seedlings require good lighting. They need to be covered with a transparent film on top.

After 10 days or a little earlier, sprouts appear. The film is removed from the boxes. So that the seedlings do not stretch too much, it must continue to be well lit. Seedlings need to be moistened. It is better to do this with a spray gun, without eroding the soil. Stagnation of excess water will lead plants to diseases. For annuals, seeds are planted at the very beginning of April. If you plant them a month earlier, then by autumn the flowers will have a fairly powerful and strong root system.

When 3-4 leaves appear on the stems, the dahlia seedlings need to dive. For this procedure, separate glasses are prepared for each plant. They need to be filled with the same soil in which the seeds grew. A hole is made at the bottom of each cup to drain excess water. Each seedling is carefully dug up and planted in a glass. The sprout is sprayed from the spray gun. By May 10-20, the sprouts should be ready for planting them in the garden. But there is no need to rush to land. It is best to wait for the time when the threat of frost has completely disappeared. In the meantime, you can harden the seedlings by taking them out into the open air for 5-10 minutes.

Dahlias from seeds (video)

Planting plants in open ground

Summer dahlias: their cultivation should take place in certain places. Planting and cultivation of dahlias are carried out in a well-lit flower bed, fenced off from the wind. If a good wind blows, the dahlia can turn into a dandelion, which quickly loses its petals. Well, if the flower bed is on some elevation. This will prevent water from stagnating in the ground. The soil is desirable to have a neutral or slightly acidic composition. In autumn, the place is fertilized with humus, manure or compost.

Before planting in open ground, each plant is watered abundantly and left for 2 hours. Then it is removed from the glass and planted in the ground. If peat cups were used during picking, plants are planted directly in them. A little humus mixed with ash is poured into the hole. The distance between plants is about 25 cm. Plants usually take root quickly and without problems. By mid-summer, bright flowers of various shades appear. Flowering of dahlias continues until early November. Blooming flower beds can be seen in numerous photos and videos that are in specialty stores, magazines and brochures.

Dahlias from seeds: preparation for sowing (video)

Conclusion on the topic

Dahlias are beautiful and beloved by many flowers. There are a huge number of varieties. Photos with their image can often be found on the pages of magazines. The congratulatory videos also have these lush flowers. Many varieties are popular. For example: Merry Fellows (whole big family), Figaro Mix, Piccolo, Harlequin Mix, Dandy, Bishop's Children, Rigoletto Mix, Diablo Mix, Mignon, Monarch, Dandelion and many others.

Dahlia seeds can be grown on your own.

In the spring, you can plant them and grow seedlings. Seedlings are planted in open ground flower beds, where beautiful flowers bloom by mid-summer.

Caring for the plant is not particularly difficult. It is only necessary to monitor the possible appearance of diseases. The main ones are: gray rot, fusarium, white rot. With gray rot, brown spots appear on the leaves and pass to all parts of the plant. Leaves and buds dry up and die. The cause of the disease is waterlogging. Fusarium leads to the death of the root system, which rots at the base. White rot affects individual shoots, on which all flowers die. Planting dahlias: Seeds can be bought or grown - this is a cheap option for decorating the area around the house. You can take a photo in the summer and admire it in the house in the winter.

For many gardeners, pompom dahlias are considered one of the most beloved flowers. And this is not surprising. After all, there are many of their extraordinary shades. In addition, the flowering period of this crop begins in mid-summer and ends in late autumn. Variegated buds are able to decorate any personal plot. It is worth noting that pompon dahlias reproduce not only by tubers, but also by seeds. Transplanting plants with roots is a rather laborious process. It is much more convenient and easier to use seeds as planting material.

How to get seeds

Pompom dahlias are flowers that can delight for a long time with their extraordinary flowering. The easiest way to get planting material is to purchase seeds from a specialized store. But if you want, you can grow them yourself. If you look closely at the buds of a pollinated dahlia, you can see the seeds of a light green hue. As they mature, their color changes and becomes dark beige. In shape, dahlia seeds resemble a small cone. If the box is completely dry, and the scales gradually peel off, then it's time to collect planting material.

Features of obtaining seeds

When growing pompon dahlias from seeds, it is worth considering that the fruits of the plant ripen in late autumn. During this period, the humidity of the air rises and the rainy season begins. So that the planting material does not begin to rot and trample, the boxes should be covered with waterproof material. If frosts have begun, then flowering plants are recommended to be cut and placed in a jar filled with water. Seeds can ripen at room temperature for 14 days.

Seed boxes after full ripening should be cut, and then carefully opened. Varieties of pompon dahlias may vary in color. However, in each box, regardless of variety, there will certainly be at least 10 seeds. You can store such planting material for up to 4 years. At the same time, it is recommended to create favorable conditions.

Soil preparation for seedlings

The first step in growing pompon dahlias from seeds is soil preparation. To germinate seedlings, a certain soil is required. It is recommended to prepare it in the fall. The composition of the soil for pompom dahlias should include humus, sand and turf. Components should be taken in equal proportions. The mixed components of the soil should be sifted, while removing large lumps and stones.

So that the seedlings are not affected by diseases and pests, it is necessary to warm the soil at a sufficiently high temperature, and then treat it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

How to plant seeds

Growing a pompon dahlia is not difficult. When the soil is prepared, you can start planting seeds. For starters, the soil should be moistened. After that, seeds are planted in the soil to a depth of no more than 2 centimeters. In this case, it is worth leaving a distance between the holes. It should be approximately 3 centimeters. Finally, containers with planted seeds should be placed in a room where the air temperature is from 23 to 25 ° C. It is recommended to cover the boxes with planting material with a transparent plastic film, as well as provide good lighting.

seed germination

From seeds, you can grow perennial and annual pompon dahlias. The main thing is to follow all the rules. After 7 days after sowing the seeds, the first sprouts can be seen. At this stage, remove the plastic film from the boxes and move them to a room with good lighting. Otherwise, the seedlings will begin to stretch strongly.

If you grow annuals, then seeds should be sown in early April. If you plan to breed the variety you like in the future with tubers, then it is worth planting planting material in March. This will allow you to get plants with a strong and well-developed root system in the fall.

When the first shoots appear, it is worth providing the seedlings with sufficient moisture and ventilation. It should be noted that water should not stagnate in the soil. Otherwise, the risk of infection of plants with various diseases increases. It is best to moisten the soil with a spray gun, without eroding its top layer.

How to dive seedlings

Pompom dahlias require quality care. When 3 leaves appear on the bores, they must be dived. For each plant, it is worth preparing a separate pot filled with soil, which was prepared in the fall. It is recommended to make a hole in the bottom of each container through which excess moisture will escape. The soil for planting should be sweaty and loose.

Pompom dahlia seedlings should be planted in pre-prepared containers. To do this, it is worth digging seedlings with a small clod of earth from a common box and placing them in a cup with soil. The plant should be buried to the level of the cotyledons. Sprouts after transplantation must be moistened. To do this, you should use a spray gun. Subsequent watering of seedlings should be carried out only after the topsoil dries.

Preparation before planting in open ground

In the second decade of the last month of spring, pompon dahlias should be transplanted into open ground. By this time, the seedlings will become stronger. However, it is not worth rushing to land. You should wait for the final warming, as spring frosts can greatly harm young plants.

Before planting in open ground, dahlias should be hardened. So the plants will take root much faster. Starting from the first days of May, containers with seedlings should be taken out into the fresh air. Initially, the duration of such a procedure should be no more than 5 minutes. Every day, the time the seedlings stay in the fresh air should be increased. At the same time, the air temperature in the room where the seedlings were grown should be gradually lowered.

Choose the right place

A mixture of colors of pompon dahlia will delight you for a long time if you choose the right place for planting seedlings. A flower bed with such flowers should be placed in an open, well-lit area. In this case, the soil must be well drained. It is worth considering that pompon dahlias do not tolerate cold air and drafts, as well as dark places. If the plants are planted in a shaded area, they will begin to stretch strongly. Because of this, the stems will become thin and weak, and the buds may not appear at all.

In addition, water should not stagnate in the soil. Therefore, it is worth choosing a site with loose soil. A flower bed is best placed on a small hill. This will protect the plants from early frosts. In this case, moisture will not accumulate near the root system of dahlias.

It should be noted that such plants are not particularly whimsical to the composition of the soil. However, the soil must be fertile and loose. Ideal soil with a slightly acidic or neutral composition. In the autumn, it is recommended to fertilize the soil where the flower bed will be placed. Manure, compost or humus is ideal.

Planting seedlings

Growing pompon dahlia seeds from seeds has its own characteristics. Seedlings of these plants should be planted in open ground in late spring or early summer. By this time, the soil will warm up enough. It is worth noting that dahlias are unpretentious. They tolerate transplant well.

It is recommended to prepare the bed in advance. A little ash and humus should be added to each well. In the process of transplanting, it is recommended to carefully remove the seedlings from the pots so as not to damage the root system. Otherwise, the plants will be very sick.

The distance between the holes should be about 20 centimeters. After planting the seedlings, it is recommended to lightly water, and then mulch the soil around the seedlings.

Growing pompon dahlia seeds from seeds: highlighting the main thing

Planting seedlings in open ground has its own characteristics. Worth considering:

• If the seedlings were grown in containers made of clay or plastic, then they must be plentifully watered with water at room temperature about two hours before transplantation.
• Cups made of paper or pressed peat can be buried in the ground along with the root system of plants.
• A flower bed with dahlias is best placed in a place protected from strong and cold winds.
• The soil should be prepared in the fall by digging it up and making the necessary fertilizers.
• It is recommended to plant seedlings in pre-prepared holes. The distance between them should be from 20 to 30 centimeters. This indicator depends on the height of the plants. The higher it is, the greater should be the distance between the holes.
• Pits for seedlings should be flavored with ash and compost. Fertilizer must be mixed with the soil in advance.
• Water the planted seedlings with a small amount of water at room temperature. The soil around the dahlias is recommended to loosen regularly.

Mulching and watering

A mixture of pompon dahlias with other varieties will make the flower bed more original. She is able to please the eye for a long time. The variety of colors is simply amazing. There are special varieties that have been glorified by many writers - black dahlias. In order for the plants to grow well and produce buds, proper care is required.

It is mandatory to mulch the areas where dahlias are planted. This will simplify the care of plants, as there will be no need for regular weeding and loosening of the soil. In addition, mulching protects seedlings from slugs. The soil after mulching retains moisture longer. This is true during periods of drought.

As for watering, it is recommended to moisten the soil up to two times a week. As long as it doesn't rain. However, moisture should not stagnate near the roots, as pompon dahlia tubers are prone to rotting. If a dry period has come, hilling will help keep the soil moist. This should be done after watering.

What fertilizers and how to apply

Photos of pompom dahlias are beautiful and extraordinary. Outwardly, these flowers resemble neat balls of bright colors. In order for plants to bloom well, they must be properly fed. It is recommended to fertilize every 14 days. It is recommended to alternate organic supplements with mineral ones. For feeding dahlias, you can use:

• 15 grams of ammonium nitrate per 1 cubic meter of water;
• mullein, infused with water, in proportions of 1 to 10, respectively;
• infusion of bird droppings in a ratio of 1 to 20 parts of water.

When the first buds appear, it is worth using potassium supplements and superphosphate. To prepare the solution, 30 grams of the substance is required per bucket of water. This amount is enough to feed 8 dahlia bushes.

Don't forget about support

Pompom dahlias, like most other varieties, have a hollow stem. With heavy rain and wind, such plants break easily. It is for this reason that dahlias should be tied up, fixing with threads to the supporting pegs.

If the stem could not stand it and broke, then it is recommended to apply a splint. To do this, attach a strong branch to the stem, fix it and support the plant. Otherwise, it will be pushed to the side. Attentiveness and timely care will save even broken shoots.

Does it need to be cut

Pompom dahlias should only be pruned if you are not interested in the quantity, but in the quality of the buds on the bushes. Do not leave more than three shoots on seedlings. Otherwise, the buds will be too small and not as pretty. In this case, it is worth carefully inspecting the flower stalks. It is recommended to leave only two buds on each of them. In this case, timely care of the bushes is important. Faded buds should be removed immediately. Otherwise, they will retard growth and the formation of new ones.

Throughout the season, it is worth removing side shoots. In high varieties of dahlias, they can be used as cuttings. As for undersized plants, their lateral shoots may not be removed. The latter, by the way, include most of the pompom dahlias.

Pests

Dahlias are plants that attract many pests. The stems of these flowers are most often attacked by slugs, and the buds by earwigs. Therefore, during the period of activity of these insects, it is recommended to treat the plants. It is necessary to carry out such procedures in the evening. For the treatment of bushes, you can use a decoction of celandine or wormwood.

During periods of drought, it is recommended to spray the plants with systemic insecticides. They allow you to protect dahlias from attack by caterpillars, ticks, aphids and thrips. In some cases, old-fashioned methods of pest control may come in handy. It is worth noting that aphids really like dahlias. To eliminate it, seedlings can be treated with soapy water. All decoctions and remedies should be at room temperature. Do not use hot herbal infusions.

Dahlias (lat. Dahlia) from the aster family. This is one of the most beautiful and long-blooming garden flowers, represented by the widest palette of colors and variety of forms. They bloom from July until frost. In addition to the variety of forms, dahlias are also distinguished by a variety of colors, and there is even a black dahlia, or rather, a red-black one, which appeared due to the accumulation of a large amount of anthocyanin pigments in the plant.

The shapes, colors and varieties of dahlias are so diverse that they can be used to decorate not only flower beds, but also border lines, as well as solo, even potted plants. Dahlias are dazzlingly beautiful, but at the same time completely unpretentious. The main thing that is required for their successful growth and lush flowering is to choose the right planting site, provide the necessary soil composition, timely watering and top dressing. You need to buy seedlings no earlier than mid-spring, and the tubers should be fleshy and strong, with already noticeable, but not tall sprouts. Soft or dry tuber is better not to take.

Dahlias growing from seeds

Growing dahlias involves labor-intensive digging and responsible storage of tubers, but if these chores scare you, you can grow annual dahlias from seed. Annual dahlias are just as beautiful and unpretentious in culture as perennial ones, and their choice is quite wide: Coltness Hybrids up to 50 cm high with abundant non-double flowers of various colors; bronze leaf redskin ; terry small Rigoletto ; early Figaro ... It is possible, having bought seeds, to sow them in open ground in mid-May, but then they will bloom only by mid-August. If you want to achieve earlier flowering, you will have to germinate the seeds.

To do this, in early April, you will need to sow dahlia seeds in greenhouses or plastic containers, using calcined sand as soil: seeds are poured onto a layer of sand, which are again sprinkled with sand on top, moistened well and covered with transparent polyethylene. It takes about ten days to germinate the seeds at a temperature of 25-27 ° C, then the sprouts need to dive into separate pots. The soil mixture should be moisture-intensive and loose, you can buy it, or you can cook it: one part of peat and sand and two parts of leafy soil. Three days before picking, the soil must be treated with a hot solution of potassium permanganate (70 °) of a dark pink color. After picking, the seedlings are watered as the soil dries. In mid-May, it can be planted in the ground.

Dahlias planting in open ground

You need to start preparing by choosing a landing site. The dahlia flower hates drafts, but requires a well-ventilated and lit place, so you need to plant dahlias in a sunny area, protected from the wind. The soil on the site should be well-drained, permeable and nutritious. Dahlias can grow in soil with a lack or excess of acidity, but a slightly acidic or neutral environment will be optimal for them. If the soil on the site is too acidic (pH 5-4), add slaked lime to it, but if the pH is more than 8.5, you can "acidify" the soil with peat.

Garden floriculture is popular today. Some gardeners opt for wonderful annual dahlias. They are not indifferent to these wonderful plants and, apparently, are not ready to grow perennial varieties. Annual varieties do not require increased care and are very unpretentious. They do not need to dig up tubers for the winter and additional processing. They bloom long and profusely. Growing an annual plant in the garden is a pleasant experience. Select planting material. On sale you can find many seeds of different varieties of these plants, which have differences in height, flowering time and color range of petals.

Dahlia is a genus of plants in the Asteraceae family containing about 30 species. Most have leaves that are often segmented - serrated or cut. About six species of the genus Dahlia have been bred for cultivation as ornamental flowers. Wild species of dahlias have both disc and ray flowers in their flowering heads. There are many varieties of decorative flowers with short petals. After flowering, they form boxes with seeds. The height of dwarf species is up to 35cm in size. Some varieties grow up to a meter tall. Thousands of varieties of dahlias are classified into different types, including single, double, cactus, lily, and peony dahlias. There is even a pompon dahlia, which is also popular. The Royal Horticultural Society recognizes 13 types, the National Dahlia Society of the United Kingdom recognizes 16, and the American Society recognizes 20 flower types and varieties. Dahlia flowers have many different inflorescences. They can be white, yellow, red or purple. Dahlias grow well in most garden soils. When the soil suits perfectly, they grow into entire bushes. They bloom in late summer and continue to bloom until frost hits in the fall.

seed germination

Learn the features of the landing. Annual dahlia seeds will produce all kinds of flowers in different shades. Dahlia flowers are very beautiful. Before you start sowing the seeds, spread the potting soil mixture in the tray. Planting soil can be purchased at any garden center. Sprinkle dahlia seeds over the soil surface. Then cover lightly with soil. You only need a little water to keep the soil just moist, and keep watering the soil slowly during germination. Germination occurs quite quickly - within 7-10 days. Do not overfill. Keep in mind that unlike plant seed, dahlia seeds will not germinate on the same day, germination will occur within a few days. Once the young seedlings have reached a height of approximately 3 inches, they are ready to be divided and transplanted into small pots. These containers should be filled with potting soil and sand mix, about 2/3 pot soil and 1/3 sand. Then, pour enough water into the seedlings so that the soil wets them when they are rooted. Continue to water and keep the soil moist as the plants grow. The seedlings will remain in these containers and continue to grow for about 4-5 weeks before they are ready to be transplanted outside. Before transplanting outside, it is recommended that young seedlings be blackened first. They should be moved to a cold frame or trays and can be placed outside during the day and applied at night over a period of 7 to 10 days. This needs to be done. This will help to rein in the young seedlings, and they will experience less shock when transplanted. Therefore, choose a sunny location that has well-drained transplant soil. After you transplant dahlias into your homes, be sure to rinse them until they are standing on their roots. (Approximate time 1-2 weeks) Please refer to the regular instructions for further care of dahlias. Shoots will appear - this will be your first joy. It is better to spend your time doing what you love. You just need to get some experience in this business.

History and interesting facts

The dahlia was first introduced to Britain from Spain in 1798, and countless varieties of dahlias, many of which were bicolor, were subsequently developed in Britain and elsewhere from D. variabilis to D. coccinea. Dahlias. The plant is native to South American countries.

Initially, dahlia tubers were mistaken for edible food and eaten as vegetables. Later, dahlias were given the status of garden plants. Thanks to the efforts of breeders from different countries, the dahlia has become very popular. Plants are famous for their variety of various colors, beauty of forms and unpretentiousness in care, and sometimes reach large sizes. There are about 10,000 plant species in the world.

Popular varieties of annual dahlias

1. "Funny boys"
2. "Figaro"
3. "Bambino"
4. "Piccolo"
5. "Dandy"
6. "Minion"

Growing seedlings

When buying seeds, you should check the flower information on the package itself. You can choose low-growing varieties 35-45 centimeters tall or varieties taller than 50-60 centimeters. You can plant plants near the curbs, in country flower beds or in other places where you yourself want. Perennial dahlias can be prepared for planting. Flowers need loose, neutral and slightly acidic soil. Complex fertilizers should be introduced closer to autumn. In addition, they should be planted in well-lit sunny places, where there is no shade and drafts. When you sow seeds, do not forget about this. The right recommendations and tips will tell you how to plant dahlias in the spring. You will be the first to see the first flowers bloom. Dahlias have a long flowering period, they bloom for many months, even in late autumn.

Seedlings of annual flowers need to be well prepared. Growing and caring for plants requires attention, and growing annuals must be done with care. Before planting dahlias in the spring, carefully study all the rules, recommendations and tips. The landing site must be chosen wisely. For best results, dahlias should be planted from mid-April to May in most areas. The surface temperature is about 60 degrees (an exception would be a hot climate). Around the same time, you will plant your vegetable garden. Do not forget that in some regions during this period there are frosts at night. Dahlias need a sunny location to bloom. A well-lit place is a paradise for flowers. It is best to use an interval during which the flowers receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. Less sun means taller plants and fewer flowers. The exception is a hot climate, then they need morning sunlight and afternoon shade.

Transplanting seedlings

The soil should be warm, well drained when planted and in an open and sunny position. This is a feature of sowing in the ground. If the soil is heavy, add some peat moss, manure and sand to lighten and loosen the texture of the soil for better drainage. Bone meal is ideal for planting. A small handful is added and works well before planting tubers. However, be careful if you have pets or other animals, they may become interested in bone meal and may dig up your tubers. The pH level of your soil should be 6.5-7.0, slightly acidic. Do not make changes to purchased soil unless you are sure that it has not been treated in some way for weeds or fertilizers. This can burn the dahlia sprouts and it won't grow at all. Dahlias will do much better if you plant them in plain old soil. Even if you think it's not the "best" soil, they will be much happier than in commercial soil. Lay the tubers horizontally 4-6" deep, about 18" to 24" apart, and then cover with soil. If the soil dries out when you plant, go ahead and add water carefully. Do not use cow mulch or dust to cover the dahlias, this prevents the soil from warming up and the tubers from germinating properly. This is the right time to apply snail bait.

Your dahlias will do their best if you plant them in a working garden or patio. Even if you think you don't have the best soil, this soil will be better for them than bringing in new soil. Keep in mind that even if this soil information says it's weed-free, you'll never know for sure until your dahlias have a problem. Your dahlias will grow much faster in your plain old ground. Only perennial plants can overwinter.

If you choose to grow dahlias in containers, this is best for undersized or dwarf dahlias. If you want to grow large dahlias in containers, the container must be fairly large. For example, you can put 3 full size dahlias in a whiskey sized jar. The size of the container should be at least 12" x 12" per tuber. Use 2 parts garden soil (plain old soil - not tilled - nothing added), 1 part potting soil that hasn't been worked on in any way. Dahlias need as much plain old earth in these containers as possible.

DO NOT use pre-fertilized potting mix as it burns them. The difference is growing in containers rather than in the ground - they will need water to start growing for you. Please make sure your soil is slightly damp or cool to the touch after planting, not soaking. As the plants mature, they will require additional watering and fertilization to ensure proper growth and flowering. We recommend fertilizing dahlias in containers much more often than those planted directly in the ground. Fertilization should be carried out at least 2 times a month with a low nitrogen fertilizer. Watering containerized dahlias should be frequent and daily if you don't want them to dry out completely.

Seedling care

In most areas, there is enough rain to fill a dahlia's water needs until seedlings emerge above ground. After planting dahlias, do a deep watering 2-3 times a week for at least 30-60 minutes with a sprinkler, more needed during warmer weather at dusk. For more intense climatic conditions, it is necessary to use water more often, as conditions require. Proper watering promotes proper flowering. Manual watering is not enough. They like a lot of water during the growing season.

Dahlias need nitrogen fertilizer. We recommend using a high percentage potash and phosphate fertilizer such as 5-10-10, 10-20-20 or 0-20-20. You are simply looking for a fertilizer where the first ingredient number is 1/2 of the other two numbers. Additional examples are 2-6-8, 10-50-20, 2-8-8, 5-20-10, etc. This is a common flowering or plant type fertilizer. The first applications must be within 30 days of planting and repeated again. 3-4 weeks later - Approximately once a month. Such top dressing is carried out periodically. One of the most basic mistakes made with dahlias is feeding them "high nitrogen" fertilizers. Avoid high-nitrogen and high-nitrogen fertilizers as they help develop weak stems, huge green plants, small blooms, swollen/pop-up centered flowers or petals, and tubers that rot.

Hand weeding is the only type of weed control you will ever use, there are no exceptions. There are no other ways to eliminate them yet. Don't use any herbicides, your dahlias won't survive. When you're looking for a product to use on or around dahlias, anything that's safe for vegetables or other flowering plants will do wonders for your dahlias.

Diseases and pests

Snails and Slugs - They will start eating your dahlias before they even show up through the ground. Slugs and snails will eat new growth, holes in leaves, and they will even eat the stem. We recommend baiting slug and snail 2 weeks after planting and continuing to add bait throughout the season.

The most common predator for dahlias is a spider, the spray for which differs in composition. Generally, your plantation needs more water. Most plants will develop yellow spots on the leaves, and then the leaves will begin to darken - and so on throughout the plant. Spiders thrive in hot weather and can attack certain varieties without disturbing others. Spraying should be prevented from the end of July and continued in September. It is recommended to use various suitable sprays. They are good for prevention, but do not work on already infected plants. General advice is - Apply recommended sprays - prevention is always better than trying to get rid of pests as soon as they arrive.

Mold - most often appears in the fall. The leaves will start to get white powdery mildew or leaf spots. It has to do with weather, temperature and humidity. It is best to prevent spraying before this problem occurs. You need to start spraying at the end of July and continue in the fall. Recommended sprays: Daconil, Funginex or Fung-onil or any oil based sprays.

1) If you cut flowers

The best time to cut your flowers is on a cool morning, but it can be done at any time of the day. You can carefully dig up the dahlias before cutting. Place the cut stems in 2-3" VERY HOT WATER (approximately 160-180 degrees) and let cool for at least one hour. This will allow the flowers to bloom and it will last 4-6 days. Removing old flowers will keep your plants strong and blooming at the end of the season. Be sure to use a metal can or plastic bucket (not glass - it will cool too quickly). Change the water in the containers daily.

2) Plant transplant

Soil or sand is recommended as a planting medium. Select the desired dahlias 6 weeks before you are going to transplant them. Store dwarf and ordinary dahlias in a warm area above 60 degrees. They will need water to grow for you. Make sure your starting environment is slightly damp and cool to the touch. (Don't flood them, as dahlias can rot or thrive in too wet conditions.) Replant the dahlias in their places. The surface temperature should be around 60 degrees. Plants should be about 12 inches or smaller when you move them. When you repot your dahlias, be sure to plant the tuber 6 inches deep. Use a handful of bone meal in each hole while you transplant. After you transplant your dahlias into your habitats, be sure to rinse them down to the roots. Once your dahlias are planted, take care of them as if you were planting tubers directly into the ground. In a year, you will gain experience in caring for flowers and will be much more successful next year.