Annual dahlias: varieties, planting and care in the open ground

Annual dahlias are very beautiful and original flowers. In addition, they will delight with their flowering until the first frost, while not requiring special care. In this article we will talk about varieties of annual dahlias, care and cultivation of this plant.

Description of varieties and characteristics of annual dahlias

Annual Dahlia, is a beautiful plant that is often planted in gardens and flower gardens. Such flowers are not whimsical to care for. They can be planted through seeds, and they will delight their hosts with flowering for up to 4 months before the first frosts, so they can be seen in the northern regions of the country.

There are a large number of species of annual dahlias. You can choose both high grade and low. In addition, dahlias are terry and glossy.

Advantages and disadvantages of annual dahlia

Much more often you can see perennial dahlias that are planted in the ground for many years. But as for annual species, it is much easier with them and they have a large number of advantages. These include:

1. Annual dahlias in the first year begin to bloom, while perennial first year may not please their flowering. In addition, annual plants begin to bloom much earlier.
2. Annuals bloom for about 4 months, starting to bloom in July, they delight the eye until the first frosts. Perennial dahlias begin to bloom closer to the fall.
3. Harvesting perennial dahlias is much more complicated. First you need to dig up the tubers, and then they still need to be stored until spring. With annuals, everything is simpler, you need to collect seeds and tidy up stems that have dried up on the flower beds.
4. The tubers of perennial dahlias are more vulnerable. They often suffer from pests and various diseases. Annual dahlias are not so vulnerable and undemanding in care. Planting and care of annual dahlias will not bring much trouble.
5. Almost all regions of Ukraine and Russia are suitable for dahlias.

It is important to understand that if, when choosing a dahlia, preference was given to tall or medium-sized species, then they will have to make support.

Growing

In order to plant dahlias, you first need to grow seedlings. You need to do this from March or April.

1. Preparing a place for seedlings. As a place for seedlings, you can use containers. First, they should be washed in hot water. Then the container must be equipped with drainage holes. This will help the seedlings get rid of excess moisture.
2. Seed selection and preparation. Seeds are harvested in the fall. All preserved seeds are suitable. First they need to be soaked in a special solution that stimulates growth. The solution must be warm. And the soaking time should be at least 12 hours.
3. As for the ground. As soil, you can use neutral loose with or ordinary earth from the garden. True, in this case, the land will have to be sanitized and irrigated with potassium permanganate.
4. Planting seeds. First you need to fill the containers with soil. Pre-hydrated. Then the seeds need to be distributed evenly throughout the soil, and on top of them again it is necessary to sprinkle the earth.
5. Germination. The containers need to be covered with glass and put away in a place that is well visible. After 3-4 days, you can already notice the first sprouts.

When a large number of sprouts appear, the glass needs to be removed.Sprouts should be watered regularly. When the first leaves appear, seedlings can be dived.

For a dive, you will need more tanks. The soil must be loose and nutritious. Seedlings need to be immersed in the ground to cotyledon leaves.

When 14-16 days have passed after the dive, the seedlings can be fertilized. So they will develop even faster. After that, they will need a pinch. And in the case of all the correct manipulations, the seedlings will turn out to be strong and it can easily be transplanted into the open ground.

Cultivation of annual dahlias in the open field

An important point in growing dahlias is the choice of location. For full flowering, it is better to choose open areas on which the sun constantly shines. As for the soil, it is desirable that it be sufficiently loose. The bed on which they are going to plant dahlias needs to be dug up. After adding humus and sand.

As for the timing of planting and care of an annual dahlia in the open ground, these flowers are considered heat-loving plants. And therefore, they need to be planted after all possible frosts, namely at the end of May. For planting, make holes at a distance of 30-60 centimeters. After the seedlings are planted, it must be pritenit for several days.

You may be interested in:

When to dig dahlias in the fall and where to clean them for the winterProper storage of dahlias in the winter at homeDahlias: harvesting and storing tubers

Since annual dahlias are not very whimsical, they may not be fertilized, but in this case they will bloom not so brightly. But for bright flowering, dahlias are recommended to be fertilized 3 times. Fertilize for the first time 12-15 days after planting. The second time they resort to fertilizer during the budding period. And in the last weeks of August. A third top dressing is recommended. As for watering, you need to produce it often, but a little.

Varieties of annual dahlias

Varieties of dahlias are many. Everyone can choose to their taste. Here are the main ones:

1. Bambino. This dahlia variety is dwarf. Up it stretches up to 25 centimeters. But this is not a hindrance to flowers. In July, this variety is pleased with the appearance of flowers. Which in diameter reach 6-8 centimeters. Also, this variety is distinguished by bright colors. This variety perfectly copes with the task of framing the flowerbed, and it can also be planted separately in pots. Room conditions are great for Bambino dahlias.
2. Dandy. This variety is tall. Its bushes elegantly stretch up. It can be planted everywhere, both in the center of the flower bed, and along its borders. This variety can be distinguished from the others by the presence of collars curled down. These collars are located on semi-double inflorescences. These dahlias bloom in July, usually at the end.
3. Decorative dahlia. This is a mixture in which only tall dahlias are found. Their height can sometimes reach 1.2 meters. Terry flowers appear on such bushes, their number is very large. Such dahlias are best planted in groups. Already in the gray of July, these flowers will delight their flowering. If the flowers are not cut, then they can survive until the first frost.
4. Opera. The height of such dahlias is about 30 centimeters, so they look great on balconies or window sills. On the flowerbed, as a border or frame, these flowers are also well suited. Such flowers can boast of their volume. In addition, this type is terry and has a yellow center. It usually blooms 17-19 weeks after planting. This variety blooms until the first frost.
5. Minion. These flowers are very beautiful and sophisticated, they can often be found as a decorative plant in a pot. They begin to bloom on the 20th of July, and their height does not exceed 40 centimeters.
6. Figaro. This dahlia deserves special attention. Its growth is usually up to 35 centimeters, and flowers reach a diameter of 7-10 centimeters. The color of this dahlia is very bright, which attracts attention.As with previous species, the flowering time lasts from July to October. These flowers can also be grown both in flowerbeds and in pots on the balcony or window sill.
7. Funny boys. These flowers are suitable for those who like compact plants with many flowers. The height of this grade is about 60 centimeters. The flowers have a bright yellow middle and simple inflorescences. They bloom from mid-summer to mid-autumn. They boast bright colors of flowering. Great for various flower beds.
8. Collar. Such a mixture of different varieties is combined due to the height of the bushes. Height reaches 60 centimeters. The middle of the flower is yellow, and around it are short petals, similar to a collar lying on large leaves of the outer edge. Flowering time, as with all previous varieties. Looks great on flower beds along with other varieties of dahlias.
9. Cactus. The stems of this plant reach 1 meter. The petals are thin and curled. Inflorescences are bright and beautiful. They can be decorated: flower beds, gardens, as well as bouquets.
10. Pompom. Flowers of this species have a rounded shape. They have terry heads, bright colors. The height of the bushes is about 90 centimeters. Suitable for group landings.

How to Choose Annual Dahlia Seeds

Seeds of annual dahlias can be collected independently. Make it easy. The main thing is to carry out this procedure on warm and dry days. Otherwise, the seeds may be damaged by mold and be unsuitable for planting. If all the conditions for collecting seeds have been met, then they can almost all participate in planting.

Seed collection rules:

1. You need to collect the seeds after the seed boxes become dry. The collection takes place by tearing the box from the stem.
2. Next, the boxes should be laid out in the room for complete drying.
3. After drying hands, you need to get the seeds from the boxes. These seeds must be stored until spring.

Reviews

Olga, 29 years old:

“If you buy seeds in a store, you need to be prepared for the presence of mixed seeds. Usually, the variety is one, but the colors are different. But it happens in different ways. Having bought seeds once in a store, I received several varieties of dahlias at once. Maybe this is, of course, good, but I was not very happy. So now every year, I collect seeds on my own and put them separately to know where which grade and color. So it seems to me much more convenient. ”

Marina, 45 years old:

“I planted dahlias of different species, but now I try to plant dahlias, only stunted dahlias. Why? Everything is simple. Dahlias, whose bushes are lower, bloom much earlier, and bloom, like everyone else until the first frost. It suits me more. ”

Alena, 38 years old:

“I read that before planting dahlias, it is necessary to harden the plants. To do this, you need to take flowers to the street or balcony for 5-7 minutes, gradually increasing the hardening time. On these tips, I began to temper my dahlias, but, unfortunately, my sprouts died. Later I found out that if the air temperature in the street is below 13 degrees, then quenching should be postponed. Having ruined my flowers, I want to warn the others. Do not make the same mistakes as me. And your flowers will delight you. ”