Dahlia rainbow growing from seeds. Sunshet Agrosuccess - protecting plants from sunburn and drought

Not many flowers are surrounded by such attention and love as the dahlia. A variety of species and varieties allows each summer resident to choose "his" dahlia to decorate his plot or balcony with these luxurious flowers.

And if there is no time or opportunity to deal with perennial dahlias, which require digging and storing tubers in winter, you can grow dahlias from seeds. The annual culture will also please with flowers: bright, varied and very beautiful.

How to get dahlia seeds at home

Always on sale in specialized stores a large number of various dahlia seeds (varietal mixtures are usually sold). But it will not be difficult to get seeds on your own, when in August and September the dahlias will fade on the site.
The buds of faded dahlias have an achene - a green box, which contains the seeds. A small cone at first has a bright green color, but as it matures, the box becomes dark brown. From above, it is covered with scales, which, when the achenes ripen, dry out and exfoliate. For a summer resident, this is a signal - the seeds are ripe and the box can be removed.

The ripening time of the achenes is the end of August and September, the exact dates depend on the variety of dahlias, growing conditions, weather. It usually starts raining at this time, and there is a high probability that the seeds in the box will be wet. Therefore, experienced flower growers often cover dahlias with a film so that the buds with boxes do not fall into the rain.
With a threatening cold snap, you will have to carefully cut the flower stalks, even if the achenes have not yet matured. At home, flower stalks are placed in a jar of water, within 10-14 days the seeds in boxes reach the desired condition.

ON A NOTE! Each box of dahlia bud contains a small amount of seeds - from 10 to 13-15 pieces.

The seeds are dried and stored in bags, after signing the names of the varieties. It is necessary to maintain the optimal temperature regime - about + 10ºC, avoiding high humidity. In this state, flower seeds are stored until spring, until planting time.

When to plant dahlias

When growing dahlias with seeds, a seedling method is used, so nutrient soil for seedlings and boxes are prepared in advance. The time is chosen based on the climate of the region, but in general it is the period from the end of March and the first decade of April.
It is also necessary to take into account the timing of planting seedlings in open ground, since in some areas this can be done already in mid-May, in others (North-West, Urals, Siberia) - only at the beginning of June.

ON A NOTE! If you want to continue growing the desired variety with tubers, you need to sow it for seedlings in the first March days. In this case, in the fall, the bush will have strong developed nodules.

How to plant dahlias

Sowing the seeds of these wonderful flowers and growing seedlings is not much different from the agricultural practices of other crops. It is necessary to prepare the soil (it is best to do this in the fall), allocate space for drawers on the windowsills, and provide the flowers with good lighting.

Growing dahlias from seeds

Preparing containers for seedlings

Sowing is carried out in boxes, containers, pots, while usually the seeds are first sown in one common container, and then dive into separate pots.

ON A NOTE! Peat cups, tablets, cassettes, ordinary plastic cups with a volume of 200 ml (with a mandatory hole in the bottom) are suitable for growing dahlias.

As a soil, either purchased material, or harvested in the fall, is used. The soil for seedlings should be loose, nutritious, breathable. It is advisable to warm the soil before sowing seeds, as well as disinfect it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Sprouting seedlings

Seeds are sown in boxes in grooves, in separate pots they are sown in holes. Cover the containers with a film, put them in a dark and warm place (the temperature should be at least + 23ºC).

If everything is fine, then in about 8-10 days there will be first sprouts. Then the film is removed, the seedlings are put on a lighted place. The temperature can be slightly lowered to + 18ºC so that the seedlings do not stretch too much. Then set a stable mode + 23 ... + 24ºC.

It is better to water dahlia seedlings from a spray bottle, preventing moisture from entering the seedlings. The earth should be slightly moist, moisture should not stagnate.

Seedling picking

A pick is done when the seedlings have 3-4 leaves. This is usually done for seedlings that were first sown in a common box. Dahlias tolerate a pick well, but you should not forget about accuracy. It is important not to damage the thin roots of plants, not to pour seedlings in a pot.

After picking, the seedlings will adapt for several days, and then they will grow. Normal care: watering (as the soil dries), loosening. You can also feed the seedlings with a special fertilizer for flower seedlings.

Planting flowers in open ground

May and early June are the time when warm days come, the air temperature stabilizes and you can plan to transplant dahlias into open ground. For two or even three weeks, the seedlings are hardened, taking it out to open air.
The time of air procedures at first should not exceed 10-15 minutes, then the duration is gradually increased.

IMPORTANT! You can not immediately, without hardening, transplant seedlings from home into the ground. For plants, this is a strong stress, they will take root in the garden for a long time.

Dahlias that have been hardened take root faster, which means they will begin to bloom earlier.

Location selection

Do you want to get a beautiful and lush flowering of dahlias? Then you have to take care correct selection flower garden space. Sunny, sheltered site will be the best choice. Dahlias can tolerate some shade, but it's still a good idea to provide your flower garden with good lighting throughout the day.

Soil preparation

Handsome dahlias are not picky about the soil, but their flowering will be long and plentiful on nutritious and loose soils. Plants prefer neutral acidity, therefore, if the soil is acidic, dolomite flour or fluff lime should be added.

IMPORTANT! Near the landing site should not pass ground water, otherwise dahlia root tubers will suffer from moisture stagnation.

These flowers always grow well in elevated areas, with soil well fertilized in autumn. All fertilizers (humus, compost, ash or complex compounds) are best applied in autumn, for digging. In the spring, it remains only to dig, loosen the soil and prepare holes for planting seedlings.

Planting flowers in a flower bed

Planting of seedlings is carried out according to the scheme, while the distances between seedlings are determined taking into account the variety and height of the stem. For low-growing varieties, 20 cm will be enough; for higher dahlias, 40-50 cm are left.
Humus, superphosphate (wood ash can be used) are added to the wells, spilled with water. Seedlings are planted carefully, trying to get them out of the pots along with an earthen clod.

ON A NOTE! Two or three hours before transplanting, the pots can be poured with plenty of water, then it will not be difficult to get the plants along with a clod of earth.

When growing seedlings in peat pots, they are planted without removing them from containers. This is one of the most the best options, since the roots of dahlias will not be damaged. After transplanting, the land near the plants can be mulched.

Varieties of dahlias that can be grown from seeds

A large number of different varieties of dahlias are on sale, which can be grown in an annual crop from seeds. You can select varieties according to the following criteria:

- height (undersized, plants of medium height);
- in the form of inflorescences (terry, pompon, cactus).

cactus mix

Mixtures of dahlia seeds are good because they contain varieties of the same height, but with different colors of flowers. Dahlia mix is inflorescences of pink, white, yellow, purple, carmine color. There are inflorescences of a combined type, in which one shade smoothly passes into another. Plants begin to bloom from July (with a seedling method - from June), delighting with beautiful fluffy flowers until autumn.

The height of dahlias in the mixture is 40-50 cm, all inflorescences are double or semi-double. Such dahlias are suitable for growing in pots and planters on loggias and balconies.

Bright pom-poms

A mixture of varieties of tall dahlias from the manufacturer - the company "Gavrish". Plants are distinguished by dense and very beautiful inflorescences in the form of pompons. The diameter of each is at least 8-9 cm.
The color is different, from purple and lilac to snow-white.
Dahlias from this set are ideal for planting near the facades, in the background of the flower garden.

Figaro

Fans of dwarf dahlias will love the Figaro variety, which is very compact in size and lush bloom.

The height of the plants reaches about 20-25 cm, but the diameter of the inflorescences - 10 cm impresses anyone. At the same time, the shades can be very different, so the Figaro plantings in the flowerbed look like one big multi-colored carpet. On one bush, Figaro can simultaneously bloom up to 12-15 inflorescences.
The variety is characterized by unpretentiousness and easy care.

Dandy

In mixborders, on discounts, dahlias of the Dandy variety look great. These are dahlias of medium height (up to 50-60 cm), on the peduncles of which very spectacular inflorescences are formed.

Dandy flowers have a number of feathery petals that form a kind of "collar". Coloring: yellow, white, purple, as well as combined colors: red-yellow, white-red and others.

Blooms from the end of July favorable conditions pleases with its magnificent inflorescences until October.

Bambino

The miniature Bambino variety will surprise everyone with bright and colorful double flowers. The height of the bushes is up to 20-25 cm.
The variety is suitable for decorating flower beds, paths (foreground), as well as for growing as a pot culture. The inflorescences have a diameter of up to 6-8 cm. The color is distinguished by a wide variety and brightness of shades. An early variety, when planted through seedlings, flowering begins in June.

Piccolo

Seeing the simple but very bright inflorescences of the Piccolo dahlia variety, everyone will receive a positive charge. It is impossible not to admire these plants, whose average height reaches half a meter.

Inflorescences at Piccolo usually grow in diameter up to 8 cm, the color is varied. One of the best varieties dahlias for group plantings in flower beds.

Funny boys

A variety of dahlias, which goes to the favorites of so many flower growers. Dahlia Cheerful guys appreciate for unpretentiousness, abundant and long flowering.

Plants are compact, low, each can have up to 25 inflorescences. The flowers of the variety are non-double, but this is offset by their bright shades. Used for planting in borders, borders, in the foreground of flower beds.

Mephistopheles

This variety impresses not only with spectacular inflorescences, but also with beautiful, unusually colored leaves. In the dahlia variety Mephistopheles, the leaves have an original bronze hue. Against their background, bright double and semi-double flowers look especially luxurious.

The bushes reach a height of 50 cm, the diameter of multi-colored flowers is up to 6 cm. Such dahlias look great in discounts, they are also used to decorate borders.

coral reef

Dahlias, which stand out from all varieties with an unusual color of inflorescences. They contain all shades of coral, ranging from pale pink to rich purple.

A very spectacular variety, the bushes of which grow up to 60 cm. The inflorescences have a row of petals around the center, forming beautiful ruffles (collars).
This variety of dahlia is excellent for cutting.

Terry ball

Another variety of wonderful pompom dahlias - Terry ball will delight all flower growers with magnificent flowers. The plant is medium-sized, the diameter of the inflorescences is up to 7 cm.

Feature of a grade: resistance to adverse weather conditions. Dahlia is beautiful in cutting, inflorescences retain freshness for a long time.

Dahlia Care

Further care is quite standard:

watering;
loosening and weeding;
top dressing.

Dahlias love water, but do not tolerate excess moisture. Based on these requirements, as well as taking into account weather conditions, it will be necessary to determine the irrigation schedule.

In hot weather, water more often (up to twice a week), on cloudy rainy days, plants usually have enough rainfall. If it is very hot, you can lightly irrigate the leaves of flowers with water from a spray bottle in the evening. From about mid-August, watering and top dressing are stopped.

After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil so that a hard crust does not form on the surface. Mulching is effective in this case, for which sawdust, mowed grass, peat, well-rotted compost or humus are suitable. AT without fail all weeds are removed, which not only take useful nutrients from the soil from dahlias, but can also inhibit plants and serve as a source of various infections.

During the season, dahlias are fed several times, while nitrogen supplements should prevail at the beginning of the growing season, later - phosphorus and potassium. If the soils were well fertilized during digging, then this will be enough and nitrogen can be omitted.

The first feeding is carried out no earlier than two weeks after planting dahlias in open ground.

ON A NOTE! When overfeeding flowers with nitrogen, only one green mass is recruited, and few buds are tied.

Excess nitrogen is also the cause of fungal diseases, so all fertilizers are applied exactly according to the norms. During the period of budding and flowering, two or three dressings will be enough. Suitable:

complex fertilizer for flowers;
infusion of wood ash;
superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

To get more buds on the side shoots, pinch the main stem of the dahlia. Buds that have faded must be removed. To obtain seeds, a few buds are left at the end of the flowering period.

In the last days of August, at the beginning of autumn, cold nights are already in many regions, there is a possibility of cold snaps. Dahlias can be covered with non-woven material, and during the day, when it is warm, plants can be opened. Such measures will extend the flowering of these wonderful plants for one and a half or two weeks.

In case of violation of the rules of agricultural technology: thickening of plantings, improper watering, which led to waterlogging of the soil, dahlias can be affected by diseases. Among the common ones:

leaf spotting;
fusarium;
white rot;
verticillosis.

For treatment, drugs Oxyhom, Fitosporin are used (used according to the instructions), and the affected parts of the dahlias (or the plants themselves) must be removed from the beds.

From aphids, whitefly caterpillars, whiteflies, treatment of dahlias with Fitoverm, infusions of ash with the addition of soap, infusion of garlic or tobacco dust helps. From slugs, if they are present in small quantities, dusting the soil around the flowers with wood ash, ground pepper, as well as manual collection of insects, helps. If there are a lot of slugs (for example, in a rainy summer), then you will have to use granules of Thunderstorm, Slug Eater or superphosphate preparations.

Conclusion

There are no particular difficulties in growing dahlias from seeds. But with proper and proper care, these magnificent and undemanding plants always delight you with beautiful and lush flowering.

Thanks to the incomparable flowers of the most beautiful color and variety of forms, the dahlia genus deserves a prominent place in any garden. Few flower growers do not admire the magnificence of this plant. The history of the appearance of the dahlia is connected with the legend that the dahlia appeared on the site of the last fire that died out during the onset of the ice age. And the first to germinate after the arrival of heat, marking the victory of life over death, and heat over cold.

Intensive selection work has led to the creation of a huge number of varieties - now their number is in the tens of thousands. This flower has two official names - Dahlia (most common in England) and Dahlia.

The Aztecs worshiped this plant, considering it an incarnation, the warriors depicted it on their shields and clothes, wore it as an amulet, believing that it gives them strength and courage. The aborigines used the tubers for food, and the hollow stems were used in the construction of water pipes. Dahlia is considered a symbol of all-conquering life, stamina, freedom, impregnability, pride. The Japanese consider it a symbol of greatness. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico.

The dahlias we admire today were obtained by crossing the Mexican species Dahlia coccinnta and Dahlia variabilis. It's grassy perennials, the roots of which have powerful tuberous thickenings with a margin nutrients. The stems are hollow, branching, pinnately divided, opposite, green-blue leaves on elongated petioles. Flowers are collected in inflorescences-baskets, blooming from summer to the first slight frosts. Reed flowers are flat, spatulate, ribbon-like, rolled into a tube of various colors; tubular - yellow or orange.

Depending on the size of the inflorescence, dahlias are divided into giant (diameter more than 25 cm), large (up to 25), medium (20-25), small (10-15) and miniature - up to 10 cm.

Growing dahlias from seeds

Sowing directly into the ground

Considering that these plants are very thermophilic and do not tolerate even short-term light frosts, they can be sown in the ground only after the 20th of May, in order to be sure that the night frost will not destroy the seedlings.

However, there is a significant drawback here: in this case, you can see it not earlier than August.

Therefore, many gardeners still arrange a mini-greenhouse or greenhouse for these flowers and sow already in the twentieth of March. You can use old window frames or pull a film over the arcs.

The prepared bed should stand for a couple of days after digging, so that the earth settles.
The furrows are stuffed shallow, the distance is 60 cm.
In a row we sow less often, the plants need space, thick seedlings break through or transplant after, leaving a distance between the bushes of at least 60 cm.
After sowing, the earth is leveled with a rake, filling the furrows.
We water well, you can sprinkle the bed with a thin layer of rotted humus to prevent the formation of an earthen crust.

Often not necessary, natural moisture should be enough for several days. But if the weather is hot, make sure that the earth does not dry out.

Growing dahlias for seedlings at home

When planting dahlia seeds immediately on the garden bed, flowering will not occur until mid-August. When planting seeds at home for seedlings, an earlier start of flowering is achieved. Growing in this way usually does not cause any trouble for flower growers. The only point to be taken into account is that dahlia seedlings do not tolerate even mild frosts.

It is convenient to grow dahlias with seeds for decoration of borders, discounts. Plants grown from seeds form a small tuber by autumn. Therefore, you can save the copy you like and land it next season to admire it next summer. Dahlia seeds ripen well - they can be harvested and saved for planting next year.

Annual dahlias are sown for seedlings in April, but if you want to get nodules of a perennial variety, you need to sow in early March.

Prepare containers that provide drainage. If you are using food packaging be sure to make holes in the bottom.
Fill the containers with nutritious loose soil rich in organic matter. Remember, simple garden soil will have a bad effect on the health of seedlings: during care, it tends to become very compact. Therefore, it is better to buy a special mixture for flowers. Well, or not be too lazy by adding rotted organic matter, peat and sand in equal proportions to the garden soil.
Sowing is done shallow, 1-1.5 cm. It is advisable to sow less often, leaving a distance of 2-3 cm between the seeds.
When small dahlias release 2-3 true leaves, they are carefully dived into separate cups. You can use a fork, a teaspoon or any other tool convenient for you. The main thing is not to damage the tender roots and move them with a clod of earth.
Then just water and provide sufficient lighting.
When warm weather sets in, we arrange seedlings for walks outside: we accustom them to the wind and the sun. We gradually increase the time and by the end of the second week of hardening, our seedlings should be outside for a full day. Such hardened seedlings will not hurt after planting and will quickly be accepted.

When to plant dahlias outdoors

At the end of May, when there is no longer a threat of night frosts, seedlings and tubers are planted in a flower bed. In some regions even earlier, it all depends on the weather. Dahlias bloom 60-90 days after they sprout, depending on the variety.

Planting seedlings of dahlias in spring in the ground

Planting seedlings of dahlias in the ground- a joyful stage for the gardener. Finally, the flowers will go to the flower bed. Here I would like to give some advice:

Try to avoid strict rows, landing will look unnatural, too stiff. It is better to combine dahlias with rudbeckia bushes, or asteriscus, imitating natural randomness.
Give more space for each bush, the distance to other plants is at least 60 cm.
The wells are prepared in advance, they are made wider and deeper than the seedling cups, it is advisable to pour a little humus on the bottom.
Seedlings are planted, carefully removing a clod of earth so that the earth does not crumble from the roots.
They are placed vertically in the hole, trying to maintain the existing level of the root neck.
Sprinkle with earth, moisturize abundantly.
It is advisable to mulch the root space with any material at hand: fresh grass, sawdust, needles.

Planting dahlia tubers in spring

Before planting, dahlia tubers should be prepared: washed from the ground and kept in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for about half an hour. Then the tubers are laid out in boxes with sawdust treated with boiling water and germinated at room temperature until sprouts appear.

After the tubers have sprouted, they should be divided before planting to allow the bushes to develop fully in the new season.

How to divide the tubers before planting, look at the video:

After the tubers are ready for planting, we begin the process itself. Prepare deep holes, approximately 30 cm deep and 40 cm in diameter. Pour humus to the bottom, mix with garden soil. Spread one division of tubers in each hole, cover with earth, the distance from the tuber to the surface of the earth is about 5-8 cm.

For details on planting dahlias with tubers in the spring, see the video:

Reproduction of dahlias by dividing tubers

Tubers are prepared for planting in advance. First they are placed in wet sawdust or peat.
After the sprouts appear, they are carefully divided with a sharp knife into several parts, so that each has sprouts.
The sections are dried and sprinkled with ash or activated charcoal. After that, they are again placed in sawdust for rooting.
As soon as warm weather is established without, they are planted in pre-prepared holes.
1/3 of a bucket of humus or compost is added to each well.
The delenka is placed in the hole so that the sprouts are at the surface of the soil.
Water well and cover with compost.
The root neck should be at ground level.

Propagation of dahlias by cuttings

At the end of February, dahlia roots are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and placed in boxes, half covered with a light nutrient substrate, watered moderately.
Cuttings are taken after 3-4 weeks.
Processed with root and planted in individual cups.
To speed up rooting, you can cover the plantings with polyethylene.
Rooting occurs within two weeks.
In early June, they are planted in groups or rows at a distance of 60 cm.

Growing conditions

Dahlias prefer sunny areas. They grow excellently in partial shade, but are much taller than plants planted in the sun.
Deep shade negatively affects development and flowering.
They love sufficiently moist soil - for this, the land under plantings should be mulched with semi-rotted sawdust or mowed grass. This will prevent moisture from evaporating and prevent weeding.
Top dressing is carried out in cases where organic components were not introduced into the soil during planting.
Use liquid complex fertilizer every two weeks.
A support must be placed under tall varieties - this will protect the stem from breakage during bad weather and strong winds.

No more than 3 shoots should be left on each bush. To get more on the central peduncles, you should cut off all the side shoots. It is imperative to remove faded buds to allow young ones to develop. The fewer buds, the larger the flowers.

After the first frost has damaged the bushes, they should be dug up. Cut the stem at a height of 15-20 cm from the ground and carefully dig out the root, trying not to damage it in the process. Very often, liquid accumulates inside the hollow stem and this causes the plant to rot during storage. Therefore, the tuber is turned upside down, allowing the liquid to flow out. After that, you can dry the tubers outdoors during the day, weather permitting. Then they are transferred to storage in a dry basement.

Diseases and pests

Dahlias are quite resistant, but waterlogging of the soil should not be allowed, which contributes to the development of diseases and the attack of slugs. Against aphids and mites, periodically irrigate your plants with tar water. When infected with a viral mosaic, light spots appear on the leaf plates, yellowing along the veins. Such plants should be culled. If uncharacteristic growths are found on the tubers, which indicates a bacterial cancer, the infected tubers are destroyed.

Types of dahlias with photos and descriptions

Dahlia tree Dahlia arborea- a species with a powerful woody stem, reaching a height of 2 m. It has simple lilac baskets.

Dahlia coccinea The leaves of this species are pinnate with pointed lobes. Baskets are simple and small.
The species Dahlia juarezii has a stem about 1 m high with deeply cut dark malachite leaves and multi-colored inflorescences. cacti-like dahlias originated from it.

Dahlia changeable Dahlia variabilis- has simple baskets with red reed and yellow tubular flowers.
All these species, originally from Mexico, laid the foundation for a variety of varieties that our flower growers so loved. They absolutely do not tolerate even the lightest frosts and are grown as annuals in our strip. But dahlia tubers overwinter well in dry, cool rooms like potato tubers. To do this, they are dug up and re-planted in the spring.

There is a division of dahlias according to the shape of the inflorescence

Anemone. Srednerosly group with semi-double inflorescences outwardly similar to anemones.

collared. The tubular petals of this plant are shorter than those of other species. The middle of the inflorescence is made up of small tubular petals with a collar of one row of large flat petals of contrasting colors.

Peony. Outwardly similar to peonies. The most extensive and colorful view.

Lotus or Nymphaeaceae. All varieties of this species are terry and the largest.

Decorative. The most common variety, including the largest number of varieties.

Ball-shaped and pom-pom-shaped. Similar to each other and differ in size. Both have double flowers, resembling a ball, consisting of many petals. Pompon-shaped, the diameter of which does not exceed 5 cm. Spherical - 8-15 cm. Both species are tall.

cactus. The most original variety, their inflorescences consist of long narrow, folded petals, sometimes dissected at the ends.

Application

The medicinal properties of dahlias make it possible to classify them as medicinal plants. Decoctions of these flowers normalize metabolic processes, are useful for the cardiovascular system. Tincture of rhizomes is used as a prophylactic against diabetes. Fresh leaves are applied to the skin to treat acne. Rhizomes are used in crushed form as a mask for aging facial skin. Tuber powder is rubbed into the base of the hair follicles to strengthen the hair.

Low-growing varieties are used for borders, flowerpots, balcony boxes. Most varieties are used in free compositions or group plantings. And especially spectacular, profusely flowering - in single plantings. Varieties with long, strong flower stalks are used for cutting and stand well in water for more than a week.

Dahlias have always been loved by our flower growers. Some of them collect entire collections - their flower beds attract attention with an abundance of flowering dahlias. The abundance of planting material on store shelves, sufficient unpretentiousness, lush flowering put dahlias among the most popular plants in our areas.

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:

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.
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.
Collared. They look spectacular thanks to two rows of petals of different sizes. Each row can be painted in different shades of colors.
Pompoms. These dahlias have chic spherical buds with a diameter of 3 to 9 cm. Individual flowers grow up to 20 cm.
Cactus. Appearance they resemble a bristling hedgehog. This appearance is created by inflorescences rolled into a tube. They are like needles.
Funny boys. Differs in very magnificent blossoming. Flower diameter 10 cm. Does not form tubers. The plant is an annual.
Dandy. Semi-double variety with original inflorescences of various colors. The plant belongs to low-growing varieties.
Piccolo can be grown in pots on the veranda and in the flower bed. The variety is undersized, 40-45 cm high.
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 different types but about the same 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’s 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 cone. small size. 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 to fight disease and different kind 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 the middle of summer appear bright flowers various shades. 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 they bloom by mid-summer. beautiful flowers.

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.

Dahlia was brought to Europe at the end of the eighteenth century from Central America as a gastronomic culture.

Not having managed to win its niche in this capacity, the dahlia became a super-fashionable decorative culture, since already in the first decades of the nineteenth century, many double, large-flowered varieties with a huge variety of colors were obtained from its wild forms.

Breeders all over the world still put a lot of effort into this culture. On the this moment over 15,000 varieties have been registered.

Inflorescences - baskets, they all have a 2-3 row cup-shaped wrapper of green leaves.

The peripheral flowers are lingual, they are the main characteristic of the inflorescence.
They have an underdeveloped pistil, which is why they do not form seeds. The central part of the inflorescence is filled with tubular, usually smaller flowers that have a developed pistil and stamens. This part may produce seeds.

Depending on the degree of doubleness and the shape of the peripheral flowers, there are many types of sorghum (simple, ornamental, pommy, cactus, collared, peony, globular…).
The visually simpler the structure of the inflorescence looks, the better pollination occurs and the more seeds are tied. Non-double (simple) and two-three-row varieties are very well pollinated, since tubular flowers are always accessible for pollination. In varieties with loose inflorescences, seeds are tied to a lesser extent, and in dense ones (without human intervention) it is rare.
Main vegetative ways propagation of dahlias are cuttings, division of the root tuber, extremely rarely grafting and leaf.

These methods of reproduction preserve all decorative qualities belonging to the variety.

When storing root tubers in the winter, many problems arise. Often good knowledge about their conservation is at odds with results in practice.
Consider the unfamiliar dahlia breeding method with a loose structure of inflorescences.
During seed propagation, dahlias do not inherit all parental characteristics, splitting, give a huge variety of shapes, sizes, colors of inflorescences; there are unexpected changes in the size and shape of the bush; flowering times change.

Many insects take part in cross-pollination: butterflies, beetles, bumblebees, flies ... Having given the pollination process at their disposal, it is even difficult to imagine the results of their activities.
At breeding work purposeful crossing of varieties is carried out. Nevertheless, very often amateur, randomly obtained plants become varieties included in international registries.

To obtain seeds, several varieties of different varieties should be planted.

Pollinated inflorescences, enveloped, form a dense light green achene, when ripe it becomes ocher-beige with a sheen, resembling a cone in shape. Frequent rainfall, sharp temperature fluctuations complicate the ripening of seeds. To prevent the seeds from damping out from the accumulation of water, it is necessary to isolate the achenes (vertically located - mandatory).
Seeds ripen within one and a half months. Cut flower stalks with incompletely ripened seeds, placed in water, ripen indoors at room temperature for another two weeks.

Seeds are extracted from dry achenes. Due to free pollination, their number is unpredictable, usually ranging from 10 to 15 pieces. They are gray-black, beige-gray in the form of elongated hard scales with a longitudinal narrow thickening in the center and the entire length.

Seeds remain viable for 3-4 years.

To grow seedlings begin in late March-early April. With earlier crops, the seedlings are strongly drawn out. The soil for growing dahlias with picking can be low-nutrient; when obtaining seedlings without picking, nutritious soil is needed, including sand, loam, good humus (1:2:1) with a slightly acidic - neutral reaction.

Seeds in boxes are sown according to the scheme 3 × 3 cm to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. They should be sprinkled with the same soil and watered with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. At a room temperature of 18-20 ° C, seedlings appear on 4-5 days, and after another 5-7 days you can see the first leaves.
Subcotyledon stretching and rapid growth should be stopped by lowering the temperature and reducing watering, providing maximum light.

Seedlings with 4 leaves from boxes dive into separate containers with nutrient soil, which should be moderately moist in the future. Landing - under the cotyledons.

Landing in open ground is carried out taking into account return frosts, and preferably in early May under shelters immediately on permanent place. Violation of the earthy coma of seedlings is undesirable, it slows down development. Plants are deepened, hiding in the soil only the lower node left from the first pair of leaves.
Don't overfeed your plants. With an excess of nutrients in the soil, the plants "fat", flowering is delayed, few flowers form.

With good care of dahlias, grown from seeds, bloom simultaneously with others and only some linger for 1-2 weeks. Collect seeds from the plants you like.
Seedlings always form a very good strong root-tuber system, which has the best ability to overwinter.

Dahlias from seeds- decoration of any village house, corner suburban area, can bring the most unexpected, pleasant sensations even in rich villas, where he comes English style in landscape design.

While the autumn favorites of perennial dahlias hold their unshakable positions, the former popularity of annual dahlias begins to return again. Easy to grow, unpretentious, these "alternative" dahlias allow you to grow a bright garden decoration and potted arrangements with minimal effort. Growing dahlias from seeds, allowing you to admire the annual form of your loved one garden plant, even for beginners. After all, this is one of the easiest crops for sowing seedlings and soil.

Self-collection of dahlia seeds and their selection for sowing
Sowing dahlias in the soil
Growing dahlia seedlings
Caring for young dahlia plants
Growing perennial dahlias from seeds

Features of propagation of dahlia seeds

Confusion with the classification of dahlias often leads to the fact that annual dahlias are considered to be one or more certain types genus Dahlia (Dahlia). In fact, it's more about in a special way cultivation and agricultural technology. Annual dahlias are any dahlias that are grown from seeds and are not stored for the winter., but are cultivated purely as annuals, the same garden or variable dahlias that are grown with digging for the winter in a perennial crop. Species dahlias are almost never found in culture today, and even if dahlias were bred specifically for growing from seeds, we are talking about complex hybrids, the origin of which is almost impossible to determine. But as a result of long-term selection of medium-sized plants better suited for growing in pots and containers, annual dahlias stand out clearly from their perennial competitors in abundance, flowering time and their compact size.

Annual dahlias (on seed packages they may be simply referred to as Dahlia, Dahlia hybrids, Dahlia x hybridum, Dahlia cultorum, Dahlia pinnata or the outdated synonym Dahlia variabilis) - quite powerful, but not large flowering flowers herbaceous plants. Their roots are thickened, fleshy, even when grown from seeds at the end of the season, tuberous "cones" are formed. In most modern varieties, the height ranges from 20 to 50 cm, although big choice seed allows you to find higher options. Dahlias are characterized by branched, hollow inside, straight and stiff stems. The leaves are set densely, oppositely arranged, large, pinnate or entire, broadly lanceolate or rhomboid with a rarely serrate "toothed" edge. The edge is an optional but common characteristic of dahlia leaves. The color of the leaves varies depending on the variety, but usually it is quite bright. Typical for representatives of the genus Dahlia (Dahlia) baskets of inflorescences consist of large reed and small tubular flowers. The degree of doubleness of the flower, color, size fluctuate depending on the varietal characteristics.

Annual dahlias bloom from mid-summer, continuing their parade until they suffer from the first severe frosts. From sowing to flowering usually takes a period of at least 50-60 days. It is worth paying special attention to the duration of the growing season and the timing of flowering: despite the fact that annual dahlias have a tendency to bloom earlier in low-growing forms and late in taller ones, this rule is sometimes violated in modern varieties.

All annual dahlias reproduce in the same way. Today it is customary to divide dahlias into dwarf or balcony varieties and "regular" or garden dahlias. The name of the legendary variety "Merry Fellows" has long become synonymous with any annual dahlias, but the range is far from limited to this variety mixture. According to the technique of growing from seeds, representatives of different varieties, groups and classes of dahlias do not differ from each other.

Methods for growing annual dahlias:

Sowing in the soil.
Sowing for seedlings

Abundant fruiting is one of the reasons why annual dahlias are considered easy to grow and "budget" plants, a great alternative to perennial crops. After flowering is complete, fruit achenes ripen, from which, after drying, a generous crop of seeds can be obtained. And although they will give offspring with a wide range of characteristics and will not allow you to accurately preserve the characteristics of the mother plant, nevertheless, self-collection of seeds is very popular.

On average, you can collect seeds from the bushes already a month after the flowering of the baskets, cutting the achenes whole. Dry the dahlia baskets in a ventilated and dry place at normal room temperatures. You can remove the seeds only after the achene is completely dry.

You can also store dahlia seeds at room temperature. Heat and high humidity, as well as light, are indicators from which they should be protected. Dahlia seeds are perfectly preserved in simple paper bags.

When buying dahlia seeds in a store, you should pay attention to three parameters:

On the terry inflorescences.
Color nuances.
To plant height (the higher the variety, the longer the growing season and the limited possibilities its use in garden design).

Dahlias can hardly be called elite plants, their seeds are available and are found everywhere. In choosing high-quality seeds, it is enough to show the usual care. If you are buying rare varieties and mixtures or new varieties, then it is better to choose producers who have proven themselves well with other novelty plants. When choosing seeds, pay close attention to the recommended uses, especially if you want to grow dahlias in borders or containers rather than in flower beds.

Sowing dahlias in the soil

Despite the later subsequent flowering, sowing dahlia seeds directly at the place of cultivation remains the most popular, and perhaps the most in a simple way growing annual dahlias. Simplifying the growing process as much as possible, the option of sowing dahlias in the soil allows you to get adapted, strong, blooming dahlias towards the end of summer, well adapted to the conditions of the growing place. In the middle lane, this method requires a more careful selection of varieties with the shortest growing season that can bloom 2 months after sowing (otherwise, flowering may be very late, it may not be enjoyed at all).

When choosing a place for annual dahlias, it is worth remembering their extreme sun-lovingness. Warm, sunny, protected areas will allow these plants to fully reveal their beauty. Annual dahlias will not die in partial shade, but abundant long flowering can only be observed in bright areas. Dahlias grow better in nutrient-quality loams, but they adapt very well to other slightly acidic or neutral, loose, fertile soils. The main thing is to prepare the site for sowing in advance by introducing organic (compost, but not manure) and mineral fertilizers, wood ash, having qualitatively processed the soil.

The timing of sowing in the ground is determined only by the characteristics of the weather. Dahlias are cold-resistant, but still not frost-resistant, so you should not rush to sow them in the soil. Traditionally, dahlias are sown in May, with favorable weather - at the beginning or middle of the month, in the middle lane - in the third decade. It is better to focus on the forecasts for each individual season and wait until the weather is stable and warm.

There is nothing complicated in sowing dahlias:

The surface of the "bed" for sowing dahlias is leveled. At a distance of 20-30 cm, shallow grooves are created. In a small area, sowing can be carried out in individual holes located at the optimal distance for the selected variety.
Dahlia seeds are laid out less often in prepared rows. 2-3 seeds are laid out in the wells.
Seeds are carefully covered with soil and watered abundantly.
If possible, dahlia crops are covered with a film from above, which will not allow the soil to dry out, accelerate germination and protect young shoots. As soon as friendly sprouts appear, the shelter is removed.
Seedlings are allowed to grow stronger and grow within 2 to 3 weeks.

Unlike many annuals, it is not at all necessary to thin out in the classical sense, with the release of weak plants, seedlings of dahlias. Excess plants can be transplanted and used as seedlings without losing a single seedling. Of course, if there are too many seeds and there is no need to save the plants, then a simple pulling out of excess seedlings can also be carried out.

Dahlias in an annual crop are often described as too simple a plant to complicate your garden life by growing their seedlings. After all, when grown by sowing directly into the soil, dahlias bloom magnificently and justify their autumn reputation. But if you want to get an earlier flowering, starting not in August, but in July or even June, enjoy a full-fledged long flowering in conditions middle lane or acquired rare varieties that have special value and perspective, then you can use the classic seedling method.

Soil and containers for sowing dahlias

Dahlias are traditionally sown in large, low containers or boxes. Drainage holes are a must. You can sow not in pots or containers, but in the soil of greenhouses or greenhouses.

For growing dahlia seedlings, any universal substrate suitable for growing vegetable and flower seedlings is suitable. Light, loose and medium-nutrient soil mixture with high water permeability can also be mixed independently. Peat with sand in a ratio of 3 to 1 is also suitable for sowing seeds (but not for diving). It is better to disinfect the soil before sowing seeds. In addition to the substrate, it is better to prepare drainage in advance for growing dahlia seedlings (at least calcined sand).

Sowing dahlia seeds

Seeds of dahlias for seedlings are sown in April, with a favorable sunny spring or (when it is possible to provide seedlings with additional lighting) - during March. Earlier sowing is associated with the risk of losing plants due to lack of light.

Before sowing, dahlia seeds, especially those collected on their own, are best treated with fungicides. They can be soaked for several hours in a warm solution of potassium permanganate or treated for 10 minutes in a weak solution of aloe juice or any systemic fungicide. After pre-planting treatment, dahlia seeds must be dried by spreading out on paper or a napkin.

There is nothing complicated in the sowing itself:

If the container is not low or the drainage holes are small, a layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom of the container. The containers are filled with prepared soil, without compacting it, but gently leveling and moistening with a spray bottle.
The seeds are carefully laid out on the surface of the soil, trying to leave a distance sufficient so that the roots of individual plants are not damaged during the dive (from 3 to 4 cm). Seeds are re-sprayed from a small spray bottle.
From above, the seeds are covered with a thin layer of soil or sand (thickness from 3 to 5 mm). It is better to use a sifted substrate.
The containers are covered with glass or film on top.

Conditions for germination of dahlia seeds

It is advisable to set containers with sown dahlia seeds in the brightest possible light. Shoots will also appear at normal room temperatures, but in hot conditions, at an air temperature of 25 degrees, the first shoots appear after 5-6 days.

The containers are aired daily until the first sprouts appear. Shelter from seedlings is removed gradually.

Growing dahlia plants

Fast growing dahlias require regular watering to keep the soil moist. Care must be taken when spraying seedlings, as excessive dampness can lead to loss of seedlings as a result of the spread of diseases. For dahlias, it is necessary to maintain the brightest possible lighting.

Diving dahlia seedlings and caring for young plants

Thanks to active growth Dahlia seedlings can be dived already 10-15 days after the appearance of the first shoots. Dahlia seedlings are best dived into individual containers. If possible, peat pots or such containers are used for these plants, which can be removed from the plant without destroying the earthen coma. Dive is carried out at the stage of 2 - 3 true leaves, trying not to contact the roots. If the shoots are stretched out, you can deepen them to the first (cotyledonous) leaves. After transplanting, it is advisable to water the seedlings with weak fungicide solutions to prevent diseases.

Caring for young dahlia seedlings comes down to regular, careful watering, which does not allow waterlogging of the soil or its complete drying. Top dressing for dahlias is usually not carried out, but to speed up adaptation before transplanting, you can add a growth and rooting accelerator to the water for irrigation. If plants are grown for a potted garden, then you can start feeding from the second or third week after diving to accelerate growth and flowering. Pinching the tops allows you to stimulate the growth of side shoots. For container culture, pinching is carried out over 4-5 pairs of leaves. Stepchildren are not removed from annual dahlias.

Hardening off dahlia seedlings

For dahlias, it is important to first adapt the plants to the abundance of fresh air and conditions in the garden. Seedlings are hardened for at least 1-2 weeks, starting to take the plants out into the fresh air during the day from the beginning of May.