Planting and care of dahlias in pots and on the balcony (photo)

Indoor dahlias amaze with their beauty. The ease of care for home plants is surprising in the ability to support the full growth of plants and beautiful flowering. Caring for dahlias in a pot at home is a feasible task for every lover of beautiful indoor plants, but certain points should be taken into account.

Dahlias are one of the most popular plants for home growing. Ease of care and the beauty of flowers contribute to the fact that many people choose dahlias and try to do everything possible for their successful and full-fledged growth, flowering. Caring for dahlias in a pot at home requires consideration of numerous nuances.

Rules for choosing a variety of Dahlias in pots

The initial task is the right choice of dahlia variety for its further cultivation at home. It is advisable to pay attention to the height of dahlia bushes, especially flowering buds and the duration of flowering. Each variety has certain requirements for its successful cultivation, so the care of plants in one way or another is different.

The main aspects of choosing a dahlia variety:

• the height of the bushes, and tall dahlias require mandatory special support;
• features of flowering buds;
• flowering time.

The right choice of dahlias always requires increased attention, since further success largely depends on this.

Pot selection rules

One of the main tasks is the right choice of a pot for dahlias.

First of all, you need to determine the volume of the pot with an orientation on the size of the root system of plants. Low-growing varieties have small roots, so the capacity can be even five liters. However, a tall dahlia will still require a pot of 20 liters.

Growing dahlias in a pot, you will need to take into account the features of the material used for the container:

1. Clay and ceramic pots pass air streams to the roots well and do not overheat, they are distinguished by a beautiful design. The main disadvantages include increased price, fragility and heavy weight. It is necessary to take into account the ability of clay to accumulate salts and microorganisms, therefore care for dahlias requires special responsibility.
2. Plastic pots have a beautiful design and light weight, affordable price. However, the dahlia root system can often overheat and lack oxygen.
3. Wicker pots are distinguished by their decorative design. The main advantages include lightness, breathability and the possibility of guaranteed protection of the root system from overheating. The only drawback is the fragility.
4. Wooden boxes can also be used for planting dahlias, and plants will feel quite comfortable. However, the pots made of wood are not distinguished by a rather beautiful design.

Before growing dahlias in pots, it is advisable to pay attention to additional aspects related to the choice of capacity for planting a plant.

1. Why do you need a big pot? For a successful and proper development of a dahlia, a free and fairly wide pot is suitable.
2. Why choose a heavy pot? It is recommended to use a rather heavy pot, as it should be resistant to dahlias, which are often tall and heavy.
3. Why drill a hole? Pots should have small holes in the walls and at the bottom. Special openings will allow excess water to evaporate, eliminating the risk of overflowing dahlias.
4. Why is it necessary to rinse the pot thoroughly? It is advisable to wash the selected pot thoroughly. Only a clean tank is suitable for the full drainage and allows you to properly plant dahlias, will contribute to their successful growth.
5. Why do I need to use coarse gravel mix? The use of coarse-grained soil plays an important role, since it is in it that dahlias develop in the best way. It is advisable to give preference to loose and fertilized soil, which is permeable to air. The soil should be coarse-grained, but pebbles, clay lumps are not allowed.

You can grow a dahlia at home in a pot only if you initially understand what capacity is ideal for a houseplant.

Landing Features

Planting a dahlia will require a minimum of time and effort. However, certain nuances are desirable to take into account.

1. At the bottom of the pot pour drainage with a height of 15 centimeters. Dahlias are vulnerable to waterlogging, due to which they can die. Drainage holes ensure that excess moisture is removed.
2. Now add soil to the pot. To the edge should remain 20 centimeters. The soil is moistened and crushed.
3. At the next stage, a tuber is planted, which you need to sprinkle well enough with earth. The root neck should be fairly loose. The soil is slightly compacted, remembering the need for caution.
4. The pot is left in a bright and warm place. Watering is not carried out for several days, but the soil is sprayed without fail. Watering is carried out after the appearance of roots at the tuber.

Planting tubers

Note! Planting tubers is one of the main tasks. For tall dahlia varieties, at this stage it is recommended to drive in a stake that guarantees the strengthening of the plant. The dahlia stem will be tied to a driven stake as it grows. You can’t put a stake in the soil of a growing plant, because otherwise, there is a risk of damage to the root system. Only when planting tubers can a stake be inserted, moreover, it is advisable to do this only for tall varieties.

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Tubers are laid at the bottom of the fossa with the kidneys up and sprinkled with soil, which is subsequently compacted. Then watering is required. Sprouts are again sprinkled with soil.

Landing time

Dahlias are allowed to plant shortly before the onset of summer. Dahlias planted in May will please you with a long and beautiful flowering.

Watering the ground

Dahlias tolerate drought well, but lack of watering leads to inadequate flowering and the risk of pests. In dry weather, watering is required once a week, which is carried out in the evening.The next day after watering, loosening the soil is carried out with the removal of weeds. From the end of summer, watering is stopped for the winter conservation of tubers. Mulching will help reduce the frequency of watering dahlias.

Fertilizers

Planting and care of dahlias in pots involves taking into account the many nuances. Fast-growing and large dahlias need regular feeding. However, excessive use of fertilizers is contraindicated, since nitrogen leads to an increase in green mass and poor flowering. An ideal option is a balanced fertilizer, which is used every 2 weeks. In July and August, phosphorus and potash fertilizers are used. Since September, plant nutrition is temporarily stopped.

Shack insertion and stem binding

A properly conducted dahlia planting will allow you to count on successful growth and full flowering of plants.

Care Rules

Many lovers of beautiful plants are interested in how to plant and care for dahlias on the balcony. In fact, care requires a minimum of time and effort, but it is advisable to take care of watering, pest protection, maintaining a good soil condition and regular fertilizer addition.

Watering the stem and soil

The most abundant watering is recommended the first time after planting, but the earth in the pot should remain a little damp. Loosening of the soil is carried out after each irrigation. To preserve moisture, humus, compost and peat are used, which are considered useful when caring for dahlias.

Lighting

Fertilizer timing

Dahlia fertilizers are carried out taking into account the following features:

• every 2 weeks add manure dissolved in water;
• initial feeding is carried out a week after planting a dahlia, and then - once a week and a half;
• moderate use of nitrogen fertilizers is recommended in the spring;
• potassium and phosphorus are used until mid-summer;
• at the end of summer, one potash top dressing is required.

Proper use of fertilizers ensures that the dahlias are kept in good condition and that they retain their ability to grow and bloom.

Lower leaf removal

Removing the lower plants will allow to activate the development of shoots, which are located at the very bottom. Soon, the lower shoots will develop and give long stems. For lush flowering dahlia will require 4 - 6 side shoots. Removing the lower leaves emphasizes the growth of large and beautiful buds.

Spraying with insecticide and fungicide

Dahlia tubers need fertilizer before planting. To do this, use an insecticide and fungicide. The drug can be used to prepare a solution or a simple dusting. For example, when using a solution, the tubers are kept in a special liquid for about 15 minutes, and then dried. Spraying with insecticide and fungicide increases the resistance of dahlias to adverse conditions.

Pests and methods of dealing with them

The most dangerous for dahlias are slugs and tails. At the first signs of pests, a special treatment of plants is carried out using a decoction of wormwood, which is used once a week in the evening. In summer, it is recommended that dahlias be treated using aphids and ticks. The use of a soap solution is also recommended.

Growing dahlias at home in a pot, you can make sure that the plants are pleased with their active growth and beautiful appearance.