Among the variety of dwarf plants of decorative type, dahlias "funny guys" can be especially noted. The unique variety blend has a long period of bright and lush flowering. In addition, these plants are quite unpretentious, and therefore even a beginner grower can cope with their cultivation.
Grade description
Dahlias "funny guys" - a mixture of annual varieties of dwarf dahlias that begin to bloom in the year of sowing. In the process of growing these flowers, you can collect the formed tubers, which are suitable for further planting. However, this requires a mild and warm climate, which not all regions of our country are rich in. This plant is used to decorate flower beds, as well as to create living borders along garden paths.
As shown in the photo of the dahlias, "funny guys", its large inflorescences, the diameter of which reaches 9 centimeters, have a fairly rich color scheme - snow-white, yellow, pink, lilac and red. The stems of the plant are very strong and powerful, and the leaves have a juicy green color. The total height of the bush rarely exceeds the mark of 30 centimeters, but with very careful care, you can grow a bush with a height of about 70 centimeters. One bush gives from 3 to 7 flowers, which incredibly long retain their appearance, even in a slice.
Place and time of landing
The main requirement for the landing site is the presence of sunlight. Thanks to continuous lighting, the plants develop evenly, the stems become strong and straight. Sowing dahlias in the shade, you will achieve a tall bush, the stems of which will stretch to the source of light, however, the flowering of such a plant will be very weak. In addition, such a bush will have to be tied up.
As for the soil - here dahlias are completely undemanding and can withstand even prolonged drought, for which many gardeners fell in love. If you plan to plant flowers in seedlings, then sowing seeds is carried out at the end of March. And already in mid-May, transfer to open ground. But even in warm weather at night, it is desirable to cover the plants with a film.
Sowing process
Growing dahlias "funny guys" from seeds does not provide for the preliminary preparation of planting material. This means that the seeds do not need to be soaked or frozen before planting. The main condition for successful seedlings is absolute maturity. With premature harvesting, the risk of getting empty seeds increases. The main sowing process is as follows:
- Sowing of seeds is carried out in prepared soil at room temperature to a depth of not more than 2 centimeters. It is best to use peat pots, with which then the plant is transplanted into the open ground.
- After this planting is well watered. Re-watering is required for plants after another 5-7 days.
- To stimulate the appearance of sprouts, the soil can be treated with growth stimulants, and cover the container with future seedlings with glass or film.
- The first shoots begin to appear after 1-1.5 weeks. And after the first leaves appear, seedlings can be thinned, leaving the strongest sprouts.
At the end of May, the finished seedlings are transferred to the open ground. The root system of the sprout is buried in the soil by no more than 2 centimeters. With a deeper planting, the root system of dahlias "funny guys" begins to decay. The distance between plants should be about 30 centimeters. A closer landing threatens sluggish flowering. After transplanting, seedlings are watered, the soil around them is mulched.
Watering
The main care measures are watering and top dressing. Dahlias are absolutely not demanding for watering. Plants, in general, are very unpretentious in care. Dahlias "funny guys" tolerate drought well, but do not tolerate high humidity. Regardless of the age of the plant, whether it be young seedlings or adult bushes, weekly plentiful watering is sufficient. Immediately watering the area around the plant undergoes cultivation, followed by mulching to retain moisture. But in rainy weather, it is better to refuse mulching, since this will provoke rotting of the roots due to excessive soil moisture. In August, watering is completely stopped, because the plant growth stops and it has enough rainfall.
Top dressing
In general, dahlias “funny guys” do not require fertilizers and top dressing. They successfully grow and bloom even on the most infertile soils. But to obtain a more magnificent, bright and plentiful flowering, it is possible to make a small amount of fertilizer even in the fall, when digging. It is best to use compost, manure or humus, which will have time to decompose by the time of planting and will serve as excellent growth activators.
Seed collection
To collect planting material, you should wait until the end of flowering. Several inflorescences are left unassembled for seed ripening. After full ripening, the flowers of the bush are carefully collected, after which the petals are carefully removed, and the seeds are shaken off in paper bags. It is best to carry out this procedure in a dry and warm room. The seeds are stored in paper bags for 2-4 years, while fully maintaining the suitability for sowing.
You should not rush to collect planting material, since seeds that are not fully ripened may simply not sprout. In this case, you will have to buy new ones and land again, which significantly takes time and effort.
Features of reproduction of tubers
Despite the fact that the main method of propagation of dahlias "funny guys" is the seed method, some gardeners still prefer tuberous propagation.
Harvesting of tubers begins after the first frost. Choose a strong and healthy bush, from which all the flowers and the green part are removed. The bush is carefully dug up, large clods of earth are removed, and the tubers themselves are transferred to a warm and dry room for drying. To preserve internal moisture, they can be covered with a small layer of clay. Storage during the winter is carried out in cardboard boxes, and layers of tubers are transferred by paper. It is advisable to wrap each instance with paper for more careful preservation. Throughout storage, tubers should be carefully inspected for rot and mold. The affected areas are cut, and the places of the cuts are sprinkled with ground charcoal. When spring planting dahlias, "funny guys" tubers do not go too deep.
This method has a significant drawback - the loss of decorative qualities every year. Therefore, this method of reproduction is used no more than three years to avoid complete degeneration of the plant.
Diseases and Pests
One of the main diseases affecting dahlias “funny guys” is gray rot or botritis. The first signs of the disease appear in the form of gray-brown spots on the leaves, which gradually spread to the entire plant, even to the buds. The main causes of the disease:
- poorly selected landing area;
- increased soil moisture;
- excess nitrogen;
- weed plants.
Various insecticides help to cope with gray rot. In addition, the infected area is unsuitable for planting similar crops for four years.
To get rid of thrips, earwigs, spider mites and caterpillars helps spraying with preparations "Karbofos" and "Fitoverton". You can overcome aphids and gall nematodes with the help of a carbonic solution and Spark.