Cactus Dahlias: growing from seeds, planting and care (photo)

22.12.2017 Dahlia

Cactus dahlias are a real decoration of the flowerbed. They are in perfect harmony with other colors, creating stunning floral arrangements. Dahlias delight with their flowering for a long period. It is for bright colors that flowers are one of the most beloved among summer residents.

Cactus dahlias have interesting petals, stand out with bright colors. Many flower growers pay attention to plants, consider them very attractive.

Grade characteristics

Cactus dahlias are perennials. They can be in height from 30 to 150 cm. They can be grown in different ways: in a pot or in open ground.

Flowers can be presented in different shades. The abundance of colors is simply amazing. The exception is blue and black colors, in this group such tones do not occur. The structure of flowers attracts special attention. They are twisted into a tube, have sharp ends. Diameter of flowers can be from 10 to 30 cm.

Note: bicolor dahlias are also found. Petals can be presented in several shades.

Dahlia bushes can be used for single plantings or with their help to decorate flower beds. In any case, it will be possible to create an amazing composition and arouse interest in your summer cottage.

Advantages and disadvantages of cactus dahlias

Many gardeners plant dahlias in the flowerbed. Cactus dahlias have some advantages. The main ones are the following:

  • variety of varieties;
  • bright and lush flowers;
  • long flowering period;
  • Dahlias are in perfect harmony with other colors.

Among the shortcomings, the following can be distinguished: for the flowers to please with their splendor, you will have to make every effort. Only with the observance of a certain cultivation technology will it be possible to create a flowerbed of incredible beauty.

The most popular varieties

The cactus dahlia attracts special attention. A variety of varieties is amazing. Each species is special and has its own characteristics:

  1. Snobo Diana is a flower of amazing beauty. The bush can reach a height of up to 1.4 meters. From 1 bush you can cut up to 10 flowers.
  2. Ferdif illusion - lush buds that attract attention. From 1 bush 4 large flowers can be cut.
  3. Summer night - colorful flowers are a real decoration of the flowerbed. Scarlet petals look luxurious.
  4. Kiruna is an interesting variety that is distinguished by luxury and grandeur. There are bicolor petals. Colors change from one tone to another, creating chic buds.
  5. Shooting Star - the variety is tall. Large flowers are represented by lemon color, petals along the edges of a purple hue. Externally, the flowers resemble chrysanthemum.
  6. Grand finale - the plant can be up to 140 cm high. Petals are presented in red and white.
  7. Lilaste Seren is an amazing variety. The tips of the petals have a lilac hue, the middle is represented by a pale yellow color. The bush is compact, the leaves have an openwork shape.
  8. Lemon - a large plant, in height can reach 200 cm. Petals are presented in a pale yellow color.
  9. Cherio - red flowers, the tips of the petals are white. The diameter of the inflorescences can be up to 16 cm. The bush is high, up to 130 cm in height.
  10. Acapulco - raspberry petals slightly dissected, collected in large inflorescences. The bush is compact, its height can be up to 170 cm.
  11. Anderson - delicate flowers that are in perfect harmony with other plants.Cactus dahlia can become a real decoration of the flowerbed.
  12. Aloha - the height of the bush can be up to 1.4 meters, the flowers have a diameter of up to 18 cm. From 1 bush you can cut up to 10 flowers.
  13. Volcano - from the bush you can get up to 6 flowers, the height of the plant is not more than 1.4 meters. It is important that the petals are red in color, the edges turn orange when exposed to sunlight.
  14. Dream - up to 20 flowers can be cut from the bush. The bush can reach a height of 1.4 meters.
  15. Red carnation - bush height up to 1.2 meters. In the sun, flowers can change color.

Planting dahlia

Before embarking on planting, it is necessary to prepare the site. Dahlias prefer a sunny place. In this case, the soil must be nutritious. It is necessary to prepare a site in the fall, it needs to be dug up. In the spring, it is required to dig the earth again, to make fertilizers.

Sowing work should begin in May, when frost will not threaten. First of all, tubers should be selected. They must be strong, healthy, large. If tubers are defective, they must be immediately removed.

The distance between plants should be approximately 100 cm. It is necessary to make holes, lay tubers in them, and water the soil. Since flowers will need support in the future, it is best to stick a peg right away. If you do this later, you can damage the tubers.

You may be interested in:

Dahlia Care

When growing cactus dahlias, it is important to observe the planting technology and to ensure appropriate care in the future. Plants cannot be called moody. However, if you make every effort, the flowers will delight you with their splendor for a long time.

Caring for plants are as follows:

  1. Watering. Flowers need moderate and timely watering. This is especially true for the period of formation of the buds. With a lack of moisture, the plant will not be able to please flowering.
  2. Top dressing. Dahlias need to be fed. This is especially true for the period from July to September. As fertilizers, it is best to use liquid formulations containing potassium.
  3. Mulching. This procedure will keep moisture in the ground and protect plants from weeds. As mulch, you can use compost or peat.
  4. Removing faded flowers. This will extend the flowering period of dahlias.
  5. Garter. The six need to be buried in the soil to a depth of 40 cm. As soon as the bush grows, the main stem must be tied in a support. As the plant grows, additional tying is required.
  6. Stepsoning. As soon as the side shoots appear, they need to be cut. Experienced growers recommend leaving only 2 stems. In order for the inflorescences to be large, pinching is necessary. Pinching stepsons is necessary during growth and flowering.

Collection and storage

Cactus dahlias are usually dug up in late September. For this, it is best to choose a dry day. In this case, the tubers will be able to dry, which will extend their shelf life.

With a knife, cut flowers at a height of 10 cm from the ground. Cover the cut bushes with foil, dig them in from all sides. Use a pitchfork to remove a lump of tubers from the earth, wash it with water and place in a potassium permanganate solution for half an hour.

Then the tubers need to be dried, this will require at least 8 hours. After that, they can be stored. Tubers should be stored in crates, on the bottom of which it is necessary to lay coniferous sawdust. In addition, you can use the package, box, newspapers to store the dahlia.

Important, periodically tubers need to be inspected. If there are damaged instances, they should be removed immediately. To protect the tubers from decay, they can be sprinkled with charcoal.

Diseases and pests

The most dangerous dahlia pests are bugs, aphids, spider mites, caterpillars.To protect plants, it is necessary to treat crops with insecticides.

The wireworm is also found in flower beds where dahlias grow. If you are sure that the pest can be present on the site, when planting plants in the soil, you need to add chlorophos.

Of the diseases, the most dangerous is spotty or mosaic wilting. Affected plants must be removed from the site and burned.

Reviews

Eugene, 47 years old:

“I plant dahlias of different shades on the flowerbed: red, white, pink. Next year I will definitely purchase other varieties. The flowerbed looks amazing, attracts everyone’s attention. ”

Valeria, 35 years old:

“Dahlias are my favorite flowers. Varieties and varieties are simply surprising. The flowerbed is colorful, bright, original. I will continue to sow flowers, and enjoy their flowering. "

Cactus dahlias are a decoration of the flowerbed. Many flower growers note that luxurious bushes are of particular interest to them. Thanks to different varieties, you can get an abundance of colors and create a flower bed of incredible beauty. Having paid a little attention to the garden beauty, you can get an amazing result. Plants will delight with their magnificent flowering for several months.

Posted by

offline 4 months
Andrei 1
The logo of the Tomathouse.com website. Tips for gardeners

Read also

Garden tools