Flower beds of urban gardens and home front gardens, created by caring hands, amaze with a riot of colors and a variety of plants. Annual dahlias are large, chic flowers that can be found in almost all regions of the country. Unpretentious, with an original color and shape, dahlias deservedly occupy one of the first places for growing in household plots.
Description
In Central America, Aborigines used large flower tubers for food, and hollow stems served as water pipes. Flowers were originally brought to Europe under the guise of a vegetable crop. Taste qualities did not impress Europeans, unlike magnificent colorful and large inflorescences.
Plants belong to the family Asteraceae or Astra, a genus of dahlia. This species includes 42 species. They are distinguished by the presence of flowers with large, sometimes spherical heads. The heads of inflorescences of wild-growing American species are represented by flowers of two genera: in the middle are tubular small flowers (they give fruit) more often yellow. On the edges - reed (resembles a sunflower), white, not fruiting. They consist of tightly twisted feather-like petals or are rolled tubes. In cultivated terry varieties of the most diverse shades, the middle flowers degenerated into non-fruiting ones. From this, the inflorescence acquires a denser structure, sometimes forming the shape of a regular ball.
Annual dahlias also form tubers; they can be dug up, stored until spring, and used for subsequent spring planting. You can not do this, but grow flowers every year from seeds. The plant raises its inflorescences to a height of 80-120 cm. The number of varieties of dahlias is huge - several hundred. Among them there are dahlias annual stunted up to 20 cm and taller - about 60-70 cm, the most amazing shades. They differ in size, shape of flowers and leaves. Long flowering (from July to frost) and the appearance on the plant of several (10-15) flowers at once with a diameter of up to 12 cm makes dahlias very popular among gardeners and landscape designers.
Features
The main advantage of annual dahlias is their unpretentiousness. In addition, they have a number of obvious advantages:
- a very long period of lush flowering;
- a variety of color, shapes of inflorescences and petals, their surfaces, the height of the bushes;
- easy care;
- ease of sowing;
- ability to grow in different climatic zones of the country;
- there is no need to dig up and store tubers (during storage, they often die or undergo fungal diseases);
- they easily tolerate adverse weather conditions;
- go well with other colors, look great as single plantings.
Classification
The bicentennial history of breeding in many countries of the world gave birth to several tens of thousands of varieties. There was a need for their systematization. In 1962, an updated international classification divided plants into 10 classes:
- anemone
- collar;
- decorative;
- cactus plants;
- non-terry;
- transitional (mixed);
- pion-shaped;
- semi-cactus;
- pompoms;
- spherical.
As can be seen from the names of the classes, varieties are assigned to them, based on external characteristics. Annual dahlias vary:
- height of the bush: dwarf, medium, tall;
- in shape, size, color of the bud;
- by the features of the shape of the petals;
- by color of leaves;
- by the timing of flowering.
In 1982, the USSR Academy of Sciences issued a reference publication (edited by V. N. Bylov) with an updated classification of dahlias:
- anemone
- collar;
- decorative;
- cactus with curved petals;
- nymphaeous;
- single row;
- pion-shaped;
- semi-cactus;
- pompoms;
- straight cactus mixed;
- mixed;
- spherical.
Today, hybrid varieties under the general name of cultural or variable dahlia are most widespread, there are about fifteen thousand varieties.
Seed cultivation
The technology of growing from the seeds of an annual dahlia is not very difficult. For seedlings they are sown in the third decade of April. You can choose a small plastic container for this, but it is better to immediately distribute the seeds in separate pots. For this purpose, ordinary plastic cups are suitable (holes are made in them to remove excess moisture). The seeds are quite large, so there will be no difficulties with sowing. Work sequence:
- the seeds are soaked for 24 hours;
- on prepared soil (it can be purchased at a specialized store), seed is laid out;
- from above it is sprinkled with a layer of sand and slightly compacted;
- watering at room temperature;
- covered with a film.
Approximately after 5-7 days, the first shoots appear if the room is not lower than +25 ° C. If the seeds were in the container, then with the advent of the first two true leaves, dive (in separate containers).
A week before planting on a flower bed, seedlings harden. In May (in the southern regions), plants can be planted at a constant place of their growth, observing an interval of at least 30 cm. Seedlings easily tolerate transplanting and grow well. There is another option when the seeds for seedlings are sown in open ground under the film. This can be done in April-May. Flowers are transplanted to a flowerbed in early June.
You can immediately sow the seeds on the flower beds. The time when sowing annual dahlias in open ground depends on the climatic zone. This is usually done in June, after the threat of sudden night frosts passes. When sowing, be sure to keep a distance. It is preferable to select sunny areas with neutral, loose and fertile soil. Such plants will bloom a little later - in August.
Seed collection
Many gardeners independently save their favorite annual dahlia variety on their flowerbeds. Growing from seeds begins with their collection. The technology is simple. Choose a strong and beautiful inflorescence, after withering, leave the head on the bush. It takes about 6 weeks for the seeds to ripen, so the first flowers are left as material.
In warm, dry weather, at the end of September, a dahlia basket is cut and still dried indoors. Then the seeds are gently shaken out, laid out in paper bags and stored until spring. It should be borne in mind that the seeds of hybrid plants can bring surprises. Next summer, the color of the petals may be different from the parent. Annual dahlias also form nodules. If you dig them up in the autumn and keep them “alive” until spring, then a dahlia with absolutely the same characteristics as the original plant will bloom in the flowerbed.
Landing
Planting annual dahlias in open ground begins only after establishing positive air temperature. Landing is preferably carried out in the morning. The first few days, seedlings are covered with non-woven material or protective caps. Work sequence:
- The flowerbed is prepared in the fall. It should be on the sunny side of the area, protected from the wind. Fertilizer is applied to the soil, it is well dug up, and beds are planned.
- In the spring on the ridges they dig holes for seedlings. The distance between them depends on the height of the dahlias.
The distance between the flowers: 70 cm - for tall, 50 cm - for medium, at least 30 cm - for undersized.
- A little ash and compost are poured into each hole, mixed thoroughly with the ground. Now you can plant seedlings. If it is tall, then the seedlings are instilled up to the first cotyledon leaves.
- Seedlings in clay, glass or plastic containers a couple of hours before planting are abundantly watered. This will help to easily remove the seedling without damaging the measles system. Peat and paper cups are buried in the ground (along with seedlings).
- Seedlings are well watered and mulch the soil near them.
Care
For beginning gardeners, annual dahlias can be recommended for cultivation. Planting and care do not require such cares as perennials. There is no need to dig up and save tubers every autumn, think about where and how to save them. Modern varieties of annual flowers are not inferior in size, shape, color variety to their perennial "relatives", and caring for them is much simpler.
In order for annual dahlias to bloom for a long time and plentifully, dried heads are removed (if there is no problem of collecting seeds). Such a bush will look healthy and fresh. Watering the plants as the soil dries, excess moisture is not welcome. Fertilizing is carried out with both mineral and organic fertilizers. The soil around the bushes is pollinated with wood ash. It protects against pests and serves as additional fertilizer.
Some tips
Today, a lot of lovers grow or plan to start annual dahlias on their site. Planting and care are simple, but experienced gardeners advise:
- Landing. Plants are planted with either seedlings or seeds. The first option is more suitable for the climate of central Russia, the second - for more southern areas with a mild climate. It is not recommended to plant dahlias in the same place for two consecutive seasons. Earth should be given a "rest" (usually 2-3 years). Low wetlands are unsuitable for such flowers.
- Top dressing. Lean soil begins to be prepared in the fall, introducing organic or complex fertilizers. To make the flowering plentiful, the bushes are fed before the buds appear and with the beginning of this process in the first of them. The first top dressing (potassium phosphorus) is carried out two weeks after transplanting seedlings. In order not to burn the roots, first watered with clean water, and then with fertilizer. Nutrient soil does not require additional fertilizer.
- Watering. Waterlogging is unacceptable. Watering time is determined by the condition of the soil, usually not more than once every two weeks. By the end of August, watering is stopped.
- Bloom. For abundant and friendly flowering, the top of the central shoot should be clipped. The growth of the lateral stems will form the shape of a bush and give a large area for tying buds. Withered inflorescences are best removed immediately. With the onset of autumn frosts, plants are covered with agrofiber, this will extend the flowering period.
Diseases, pests
Annual dahlias are prone to the same diseases and pests as other garden flowers:
- Leaf spotting. It manifests itself in the formation of yellow-green spots on the leaves. Later they become larger and change color to taupe with dark edges. The reason is too dense landing. Affected leaves are torn off and burned, plants are treated with fungicides. In severe cases (complete damage to the bush), the flower is destroyed, and neighboring ones are treated.
- White rot. The fungus thins and changes the color of the stem. This is caused by excessive deepening of the seedling.
- Fusarium wilt. It affects the root system and tubers, from this leaves, buds and tops of shoots are taken out, a pinkish coating appears on them. The disease provokes a thickened planting.
- Caterpillars. Young shoots are eaten, it is critical for the plant when the base of the stem is affected by them. With a small number of them, insects are collected manually, with a mass “attack” they use insecticides.
- Aphid. The first sign of deformation, yellowing and curling of the sheet. Damaged areas are cut and burned without regret. Neighboring plants are treated with special aphid insecticides.
- Slug. Appear with high humidity. Active at night, their main food is plant leaves. Collected and destroyed by hand, eliminate the causes of excessive moisture.
Regular inspection of plants and timely preventive measures will help to avoid damage or death of dahlias.
Using
Annual dahlias as garden flowers are very in demand in landscape design. All groups of flowers, dwarf and tall, are used. Often they can be seen as part of group, compositional landings. They can be in the center of the flower bed or, conversely, frame a color group. Annual dahlias are large-flowered, bright and very attractive; they also look spectacularly as single plants.
Dwarf varieties are great for decorating garden paths or workplaces - flower beds 15 long and up to 3 meters wide. They can be planted in pots or tubs. Dahlias make out any garden building or loggia (balcony). They will perfectly decorate a small slope on which they can be planted with a continuous carpet.
Annual dahlias are also grown for cutting. Very bright bouquet compositions are always obtained from them. Flowers stand for a long time, delighting with a magnificent palette. Long flowering, up to frost, determines the demand for dahlia bouquets for September 1.
Popular varieties
The best varieties of annual dahlias for growing on personal plots:
- "Bambino" - dwarf, not more than 25 cm in height, inflorescences up to 8 cm in diameter, terry, bright shades.
- “Funny guys” - up to 60 cm, compact very elegant, highly branched bushes, wide color gamut, the middle of the inflorescence is always yellow.
- "Opera" - up to 30 cm, terry, voluminous inflorescences with a barely noticeable yellow middle, grow well on balconies.
- "Mignon" - up to 40 cm, has very beautiful original colors.
- "Figaro" - within 35 cm, has large large (up to 10 cm in diameter) inflorescences, the color of the petals is diverse.
- "Piccolo" - up to 45 cm, petals of red, pink, yellow or white flowers, pinching of the main stem allows you to get a very beautiful flowering bush.
Often in stores you can find mixtures of several seeds. They are necessarily selected according to the terms of agricultural work and planting. They can be safely planted on one flower bed.