Favorable days for planting annual dahlias for seedlings in 2021 according to the phases of the moon

In this article we will talk about how to properly plant annual dahlias and care for them.

Dahlias are considered very beautiful and bright flowers of the Asteraceae family. There are more than a thousand varieties in total. Annual flowers are distinguished by the fact that they do not have to be dug up for the winter to prevent them from freezing. This makes them easier to breed. To make flowering faster, gardeners grow these flowers through seedlings. Let's find out how these flowers are planted and how to care for them.

Annual dahlias - name and description of the variety with photos of flowers

There are many varieties of dahlias, differing in height, type of bud, and flowering time.

1. In terms of height, dahlias are tall, short and dwarf;
2. In terms of flowering time, tall varieties bloom several weeks later than short or dwarf varieties;
3. Each variety differs from each other in flower shape, size, color, and leaves.

In these photos you can see what different varieties of annual dahlias look like.

• simple,
• peony-shaped,
• anemoids,
• collar,
• spherical,
• nymphaeal,
• pompoms,
• chrysanthemum-shaped,
• cactus

Characteristics and description of the plant

The dahlia came to us from Mexico and belongs to the representatives of the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family. Numerous flowers are formed on one plant, which vary in shape, size and color. Among the abundance of varieties you can find both simple flower options and more sophisticated forms. The flower crop forms tuberous roots, with the help of which it reproduces.

In Siberia, they use the technique of planting annual dahlias through seedlings.

Optionally select:

• dwarf varieties up to 60 cm;
• short-growing up to 80 cm;
• medium height up to 120 cm;
• tall up to 150 cm and above.

Despite the different heights, up to 10-15 buds with a diameter of 100-120 mm open on one plant. Flowering begins in mid-summer and continues until late autumn.

To grow dahlias from seeds, select a suitable variety.

Among the most famous are dahlias:

• Funny boys;
• Rainbow;
• Flamenco;
• Serena;
• Figaro;
• Bonbini;
• Pompom mix.

Seed dahlias are sold in flower shops, where there is a large assortment of varieties. You need to carefully read the characteristics and decide on the size, shape of the flower and color scheme. There are both “mix” colors and individual colors on sale. Summer dahlias are also distinguished by their flowering time, which can be early, mid and late. The label also indicates the expiration date for dahlias from seeds.

On a note. There are no annuals in nature. This is a perennial flower crop that reproduces through tuberous roots. An annual option is one way to grow.

Annual dahlias in garden design

Which is the best variety to choose for garden design? What to plant depends primarily on their height.

• Tall ones reach a height of no more than 1-1.2 m,
• Low-growing ones do not grow more than 50-60 cm,
• Dwarf varieties of flowers grow approximately 20-30 cm.

Depending on the height of the plants depends on how to plant them. When planting tall varieties, the distance between them is left up to 70 cm. In a round flower bed, tall varieties are planted in the middle or in the background of the flower bed.

Low-growing ones do not require a large distance between plants, since their bushes are lush and compact. They are planted at a distance of no more than 30 cm. They are planted in a flowerbed in front of tall ones.

Dwarf varieties are intended for the foreground in flower beds and borders. But they look best in pots and flowerpots, suspended from a fence or some kind of shelter.

Picking seedlings: features of the method

When seedlings are received, picking is carried out. Seedlings of the Merry Guys variety grow quickly at home. You need to know not only how to sow unpretentious annual dahlias as seedlings, but also how to plant them correctly.

This technique is carried out for:

• strengthening roots;
• supply of batteries;
• pull protection.

The picking of healthy seedlings of annual dahlias is done in the phase of two true leaves. The plant is carefully removed from the ground without damaging the root system. Pinch off the tip of the main, longest root and plant it in separate cups, deepening it to the leaves. Dahlias Merry guys at this phase take root well and grow.

On a note. The soil mixture contains 50% turf soil. This technique will allow you to plant Jolly Guys dahlias in a flowerbed, preparing them for normal soil. This also applies to other varieties.

After 2 weeks, it is necessary to apply complex flower fertilizers. This will help grow dahlia seedlings strong and gain green mass faster. Correctly carried out methods of growing dahlia seedlings from high-quality seeds will allow you to obtain seedlings that can withstand external climatic factors.

What to do if the seedlings are thin or very elongated? Perform pinching of annual dahlias. Usually the procedure is carried out when the flower crop has formed 4 leaves. Growing seedlings involves using pinching, but if the seedlings are strong, then it is not necessary.

Growing annual dahlias from seeds for seedlings

Timing for sowing seeds for seedlings

Dahlias are heat-loving plants; they are planted after the threat of return spring frosts has passed. But sometimes frosts occur as early as June. This means that when planted in the ground in June, dahlias will bloom quite late. Therefore, in the risky farming zone, annual dahlias, as well as perennial ones, are planted through seedlings in the classical way. It is by this time that the seedlings will gain strength, will not suffer from the cold and will bloom by mid-July.

To avoid frost, seeds for seedlings are sown in late March - early April. This is the optimal time to plant plants in a permanent place in June.

Preparing for landing

First, prepare the containers where you will sow the seeds. The most optimal and convenient option is disposable food containers (new or used) with a lid.

Buy fertile soil for flowers or prepare a mixture of soil from your garden, diluted half with store-bought soil. Place vermiculite, perlite, coconut substrate, and sand into the soil to loosen it. In any case, the soil for seedlings should be loose and fertile.

Planting seeds

1. After pouring soil into the container, compact it with a spoon or just your fingers. Then water the soil generously with warm water so that the plant has enough moisture to develop;
2. We plant the seeds on the surface of the ground, lightly pressing them into the soil at a distance of 1-2 cm. Then sprinkle the seeds with the same soil. As a result, the seeding depth is 1.5-2 cm;
3. We close the container with a lid or film and put it in a warm, bright place, temperature 23-25ºС. Shoots appear in about a week.

Care

As soon as shoots appear, remove the lid or film. Dahlias really need lighting, so we move the container to the sun or create additional lighting with phytolamps or regular fluorescent lamps.

Annual dahlias - can the tubers be stored?

Growing annual dahlias is not difficult, but it is important to do it correctly. So, by autumn they grow neat corms. They can be dug up and stored. Please note that you should not save the seeds, because they may not bloom in the end. This is due to the fact that dahlias do not transmit flowering in this way.

Preserving the rhizomes of the desired plant requires some skill, because annuals are much more difficult to preserve. The fact is that their corms are very small. This is precisely the difficulty, because they waste their moisture much faster. So it is important to choose a storage method so that the planting materials feel good.

So, when digging, the corms are divided into four groups and stored in one of the most suitable ways. In this case, it is important to take into account the air temperature, humidity level and air humidity.

As for the storage location, you will have to choose experimentation methods. By combining places and methods you will choose the most optimal option. By the way, this is precisely why it is recommended to divide the tubers into several groups, so that you can find the right method in just one winter.

Growing annual dahlia seedlings in snails

Previously, seeds were germinated on damp cotton wool, but if you hesitated and did not moisten the cotton wool in time, the seeds died. Germinating seeds in snails is quite a convenient way of germination. Seedlings of annual dahlias are also convenient to grow in snails.

Sowing seeds into a snail

1. Take an ordinary food plastic bag measuring 20x30 cm, bend it in half lengthwise. Place 2-3 layers of toilet paper on top of the film, moisten it;
2. Then spread the dahlia seeds, 1 cm from the edge, perpendicular to the edge of the paper;
3. Carefully roll the bag, label the variety and date, and place it in a container. A cake box or food container is suitable for this purpose. Pour 2 cm of water into the bottom of the container.
4. Cover the container with the rolls with a bag or film and place in a warm place. As soon as the shoots appear, remove the film and place the container in a bright place. As the water in the container dries, add a little water to it so that the toilet paper absorbs the water and does not dry out.

In about a week, shoots will appear and the seedlings are ready for picking.

How to grow dahlia seedlings at home

The seeds are quite large, so sowing them will not be difficult. You just need to prepare the appropriate container so that the plants are not crowded.

Preparing soil and containers

The soil for growing dahlia seedlings must be fertile so that it allows water and air to pass through well. An excellent solution would be a mixture consisting of garden soil, sand and humus, taken in equal quantities. The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic.

Before use, the soil must be disinfected - calcined in the oven or spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate. The container must also be treated first with boiling water and then with a pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Ampelous petunia: growing from seeds at home

Selection of seeds and preparation for sowing

Having decided on the plant variety, the seeds need to be prepared. They can be soaked for 15 minutes in a fungicide solution; a one percent manganese solution is suitable. Then soak in a growth stimulator, Epin, aloe juice with water or Zircon will do. After preparation, the seeds can be sown in the ground.

Sowing dahlias

The prepared soil is placed in prepared containers, moistened and the seeds are planted at a distance of 3 cm from each other in a checkerboard pattern. The seeds are lightly sprinkled with calcined river sand on top. This will help the sprouts hatch better and prevent blackleg disease from developing.

The plantings are covered with glass or film and placed on a heating radiator. The greenhouse is ventilated daily. In about a week or a little more, the first shoots will appear. The shelter is removed, the seedlings themselves are placed on the windowsill.

Picking seedlings of annual dahlias

About a week after germination, a pair of true leaves appear on the seedlings. And then you can safely start picking the plants into a separate container. Suitable as containers

• disposable cups,
• seedling containers,
• cassettes with cells.

An important condition: one plant should have 200-250 ml of soil, therefore, you should choose the right container for picking, which should have drainage holes at the bottom. The composition of the soil is the same as for seedlings. Make small holes in the prepared container.

1-2 hours before transplanting, containers with seedlings are well watered so that the seedlings can be easily removed from the ground. The seedlings are carefully removed from the ground with a fork or spatula, along with a lump of earth, and placed in a prepared hole, sprinkled with earth, and watered.

If the seedlings are in the snail, it is unwrapped and the seeds that have not sprouted are discarded. For picking, take well-sprouted seedlings. Carefully tear them off along with a piece of paper and place the seedling in the hole, sprinkle with soil and water.

Plantings are placed in a sunny, warm place. Further care comes down to regular watering, preventing the soil from drying out. To prevent the seedlings from stretching out on the windowsill, the boxes with seedlings are turned or taken into the greenhouse.

Features of sowing seedlings

Seeds can be sown either in general seedling containers or directly in separate peat or disposable cups. In the latter case, the seedlings will not need to be picked.

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Annual dahlias are sown for seedlings as follows:

• The containers are filled with moist, fertile, loose and nutritious soil. You can buy a substrate at a specialty store or use garden soil and dilute it with a baking powder (sand or perlite). If soil from the garden is used, it must be calcined in the oven and watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.

• The seeds of annual dahlias are quite large, so for them, at a distance of about 2-3 cm from each other, using a pencil or stick, make holes 1-2 cm deep. A seed is placed in each hole, which is sprinkled with soil.

• The crops are moistened with warm water from a spray bottle and covered with film.

• Seedling containers are placed in a warm place and soil moisture is monitored. Every day, the film needs to be removed briefly to ventilate the soil.

• If the seeds are good and everything was done correctly, seedlings may appear as early as the third day after sowing. After their appearance, the shelter is removed, and the seedlings are placed on the windowsill, where there is no direct sunlight.

Planting seedlings in open ground

When spring return frosts end, and this is usually the end of May, you can begin planting dahlia seedlings in a permanent place. Which seedlings are transplanted into the ground is shown in this photo.

It is these seedlings that will tolerate transplantation well. Prepare covering material in case of frost, which in some regions may even occur in early June.

Dahlias are planted in a sunny place protected from the wind. The soil should be loose and fertile, filled with humus or compost in the fall. Dahlias do not like fresh organic matter.

Planting dahlias

1. Small depressions are made in the prepared bed;
2. Handle the seedlings out of the container and place them in the hole;
3. Water the seedling with warm water, sprinkle the hole with earth;
4. The top of the soil is covered with mulch, so the moisture from the soil evaporates less and weeds do not grow.

Caring for seedlings comes down to weeding, loosening the soil and watering as needed.

How to properly plant dahlias for seedlings

To properly plant annual dahlias as seedlings, you need to know the technique and scheme for carrying out all the main stages. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Timing for sowing seeds for seedlings

Growing annual dahlias at home is not difficult. It is important to decide when it is necessary to plant dahlias as seedlings, so that they fall into the ground already formed and avoid the threat of return frosts.

The classic option in Siberia is late March-early April. When planting seeds of bright dahlias for seedlings at the planned time, flowering will occur in mid-summer. It is advisable to observe the timing of planting beautiful annual dahlias for seedlings in order to admire the lush inflorescences from mid-summer.

The question of when to plant depends on the gardener’s preferences:

1. If early flowering is important, then the dates are selected earlier.
2. If sowing bright dahlias for seedlings is done late, then flowering will be delayed.
3. In the risky farming zone, you should hurry up and not delay sowing annual dahlia seedlings.

The exact dates when to plant dahlias as seedlings are determined by the 2021 lunar calendar:

Note! These are the dates for planting annuals; perennials should be planted according to a different schedule.

When to plant annual dahlias as seedlings depends on the specific climate zone.

And the exact planting dates are determined based on this indicator and the flowering time of the variety:

• in the Moscow region, sowing dates fall at the beginning of April;
• Seeds should be planted in Siberia in early April;
• it is preferable to sow in the southern regions at the end of March.

When to plant the Merry Guys variety for seedlings is not a difficult question, since it is the most unpretentious and fastest-growing annual dahlia. The timing of sowing Merry guys for seedlings is determined by March-April. For beginning flower growers, this is a “lifesaver,” or a universal option. Having figured out when to plant annual dahlia seedlings, you can begin the planting process.

Important! Don't sow dahlias too early. With short daylight hours, dahlia seedlings stretch out, which causes difficulties during further cultivation.

Selection of capacity

The ideal container for planting and growing seedlings of annual dahlias is a low and relatively wide container with a height of approximately 7-10 centimeters . A small plastic box or bowl, such as a regular food container with a lid, is ideal.

If there are no drainage holes in the container, then be sure to make them , for example, with a nail, scissors or something else. However, there is no need to make holes in peat tablets and pots; the material already allows moisture to pass through perfectly.

But you can also plant annual dahlias as seedlings in individual plastic cassettes, cups, peat tablets, and pots. In such products you need to sow one seed at a time.

Soil preparation

To sow annual dahlias at home, it is best to choose light, loose, fertile soil with good water permeability .

universal soil for flower seedlings without any problems , but you must add some kind of loosening element , for example, perlite, vermiculite, sand, coconut substrate (in a ratio of 3 parts soil to 1 part baking powder).

Or you can prepare your own soil mixture at home. To do this, mix in equal proportions:

• sand;
• humus;
• turf land.

You can also make seedling soil using the following recipe:

• garden soil (2 parts);
• peat (2 parts);
• sand (1 parts).

Seed selection and preparation

Planting low-quality seeds of annual dahlias for seedlings is initially not a very successful idea, because weak seedlings will grow from low-quality planting material or seedlings will not appear at all.

Therefore, it is better to buy seeds from a trusted manufacturer. It is not recommended to choose a product that is too cheap, since significant savings in this matter can play a bad joke.

There may be unwanted pathogens on the surface of the planting material. To eliminate pathogens from the surface, it is recommended to disinfect the seeds , for example, in a solution of the biofungicide “Fitosporin-M” (follow the instructions on the preparation).

Before sowing flower crops, it is recommended to soak them in a solution of a growth stimulant to improve germination and obtain stronger seedlings (for example, the drug “Zircon”, “HB-101”, “Energen”, “Epin-Extra”). You must also act according to the instructions. This pre-sowing preparation of dahlia seeds should be carried out after disinfection and immediately before the procedure.

Growing dahlias from seeds

Dahlias are grown directly from seeds in warm climates, where there are no night frosts at the end of March and April:

• The area prepared for dahlias is leveled;
• make grooves or holes depending on the planting area;
• plant 2-3 seeds per hole, in the grooves - not too densely;
• the distance between the holes depends on the wasp variety;
• cover the top with soil and water;
• cover with film (for faster germination and protection from drying out);
• When shoots appear, the film is removed.

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Dahlias planted with seeds have time to take root and bloom almost simultaneously with flowers grown by seedlings.

Master class on sowing dahlias

So, if you have successfully completed the steps above, it is time to move on to the most important part of the procedure. Step-by-step instructions with photographs will help you to properly plant dahlia seeds at home:

1) Place drainage at the bottom of the planting container.

The layer size is about 1.5-2 centimeters, but no more. Expanded clay, perlite (it’s in the photo), and broken brick work well. As a last resort, if you do not have such materials, you can pour clean calcined sand.

2) Fill the container with soil.

But not to the edges, leave a gap of 2-3 centimeters.

3) Moisturize generously.

It is advisable to use a spray bottle so that the moisture is distributed evenly, but only clean and settled water can be used.

Lightly compact the soil with your hand or a spoon.

4) Direct landing.

By the way! As you can see in the photo, dahlia seeds are very large, so sowing them in the ground is very convenient. You can do this simply with your fingers, without using improvised means (toothpicks, tweezers).

Seeds must be planted at a distance of 3 centimeters from each other. When planting, press them very lightly into the ground.

5) Cover the seeds with soil.

The thickness of the layer is about 5 millimeters, but no more. Distribute the soil evenly over the surface.

6) Water.

From above, lightly spray the surface of the earth with clean water at room temperature.

A little trick! You can moisten the soil after sowing with a solution of a growth stimulator.

7) Make a mini-greenhouse.

It is required to create suitable moist and warm conditions necessary for seed germination. To do this, you can simply cover the container with a lid, glass, or film.

Advice! It is recommended to label the container with future dahlia seedlings to avoid confusion.

Transfer the container to a warm place.

The room temperature should be maintained at +23-25°C.

Do you need to soak the seeds of annual dahlias?

Many people are interested in the question of whether it is necessary to soak the seeds of annual dahlias before planting. Actually yes, it's better to do it. Then the flowers will sprout faster and show excellent growth. Although, some argue that when planting seeds immediately in the garden, this need not be done. The most important thing is to properly prepare the land for these purposes.

How many days do it take for annual dahlia seeds to germinate?

As we have already said, annual dahlias, when in containers, love a lot of light and warmth. As a rule, if the room reaches a temperature of 25 degrees, then the plants quickly sprout. Usually it takes them 5-6 days. It is important not to forget to ventilate the containers every day so as not to spoil the plants.

Caring for flowers in summer

When the plants get stronger and buds begin to set, the plants need loosening, weeding and fertilizing.

If the land is fertile, usually the first fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers is not carried out. But if the soil is poor or the beginning of summer is rainy and cold, plants are fed with nitrogen fertilizers to increase green mass. These can be liquid organic fertilizers or complex mineral fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen.

The second feeding is carried out when the dahlias begin to set buds, this is around mid-July. During this period, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are needed. Fertilizing is carried out with complex fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus.

The third feeding is carried out at the end of July - beginning of August, when the plants bloom intensively. They are also fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Watering plants should be moderate and regular. When watering dahlias in hot, dry summers, try not to over-moisten the soil, as the roots of the plants rot from high humidity and the plant dies.

Annual dahlias - what kind of flowers are they and how are they grown?

Annual dahlias
If you decide to plant annual dahlias, then think about the planting material in advance. If you are planting these flowers for the first time, then you should take care of the preparations in the fall. When the time for planting approaches, keep in mind that this must be done on favorable days.

As you know, the Moon is an excellent guide for planting, especially since it has a strong influence on plants. More and more flower growers are paying attention to lunar calendars, as they are able to tell when and what work to do.

So, in 2021 the following days are favorable:

Favorable days

As we have already said, the planting of flowers is greatly influenced by the characteristics of the zone. It is important to understand that even within the boundaries of one city the earth warms up unevenly. For example, lowlands take longer to thaw from snow. In this case, you can focus on warm weather, when the frosts have stopped. In particular, the temperature should not cross the threshold of zero degrees.

In the Moscow region and the middle zone, landing usually takes place in the middle or end of the month. Well, if winter comes early, then the procedure can be performed at the beginning. Just keep in mind that most likely there will be night frosts at this time, so it is recommended to take care of covering material. This will save the plants.

In the Ural and Siberian territories the climate is more severe and summer comes later. Here, dahlias can be planted in the front garden only in the second decade of June. During this period, the temperature already reaches 15 degrees Celsius and the flowers can develop calmly. Most often, gardeners practice the seedling method. Then the already strengthened tubers can be transferred to the sun.

In hot regions, you should not delay replanting so much, because the soil quickly warms up and dries, and therefore flowers can be sent to the beds already in April.

Growing dahlias with seeds in the ground without seedlings

Not everyone likes to tinker with seedlings, and sometimes there is simply not enough space on the windowsills to place containers with seedlings there. Seeds are planted, either sprouted with small sprouts or dry. In the southern regions, they are planted as soon as the earth has warmed up sufficiently, sometimes in late April - early May. But in the northern regions it will be possible to plant seeds in the ground no earlier than mid-June. Therefore, the flowering of dahlias will shift by two weeks.

The requirements for the composition and structure of the soil are the same as when planting seedlings. The depth of seeding is 1.5-2 cm, the distance between them is 20-30 cm. After planting, water with warm water. To make the seeds germinate faster, the plantings are covered with covering material or film. As soon as the seeds hatch, the cover is removed.

Dahlias in containers

Flowers planted in large flower pots or flowerpots are often used to decorate plots. In some cases, containers with plants turn out to be the only decoration of a small area, making it more interesting and richer.

Dwarf dahlias in pots can be placed in the center of the patio or along its perimeter, on the border with the lawn or small garden, at the end of the central path, around an artificial pond and near the recreation area. With large differences in relief, it is possible to arrange multi-tiered compositions. Flowers with picturesque buds will easily disguise nondescript details in the form of a hatch, an ugly stump, and will enliven a boring corner of the site. Spectacularly blooming specimens will decorate the place at the entrance to the house.

You can plant dahlia sprouts in pots or directly plant them with seeds. Finding a permanent place, the plants will grow strong and will delight you with their beauty for a long time.

How to keep a bush blooming longer

To prolong the flowering of dahlias, do a very simple thing. It is necessary to remove faded flower baskets. When there are a lot of them, they take on a lot of food. If this is not done, flowering quickly ends, because the plant’s main goal is to leave behind offspring, seeds. By removing faded flowers, new buds are formed and flowering continues.

• The last fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers is carried out in June; if you fertilize with nitrogen later, the plant will become fattened and only greenery will grow;
• If you do not remove a faded flower from a branch, then new buds will not form nearby;
• Try not to pick off faded flowers with your hands, but cut them off with pruning shears just above the emerging bud. This way the bush will look prettier and neater and will not harm other buds that are very close.

Other growing methods

There are quite a few options for sowing annual dahlias for seedlings. Inventive gardeners are looking for and finding ways to obtain good quality seedlings of annual dahlias.

Sowing with boiling water

One of the methods for planting annual unpretentious dahlias for seedlings is with boiling water. How to grow high-quality dahlia seedlings from seeds using this method?

1. Pour a loose, slightly moistened earthen mixture into a transparent container with a lid (from under cakes or cookies).
2. The seeds are evenly spread over the surface.
3. Pour boiling water over the annual mixture and cover with a plastic lid.
4. After 2-3 days, shoots appear, and germination is almost 100%.
5. Planting and care include additional addition of earthen mixture so that the plants take root better. In this case, the growth point should remain on the surface.

It is possible to plant dahlias for seedlings using this method at a later date, since they sprout faster and actively grow.

Seedlings in a snail

Planting seedlings is possible using the snail method.

This method is not so simple, but the subsequent picking is quite convenient:

1. A construction substrate is used, which is cut into strips 10 cm wide.
2. Lightly moist soil is evenly poured onto its surface. First, pour the soil onto one area and level it to a height of 2 cm.
3. How to plant annual dahlias correctly for seedlings using this method? Pre-treated seeds are laid out every 2 cm and rolled into a roll.
4. The soil is poured onto the next area, the seeds are laid out and the “snail” continues to be rolled up.
5. When the tape is finished, it is fixed with a rubber band and “wrapped” in polyethylene to preserve moisture and microclimate. Place in a round container. If the soil has settled, it is added and sprayed.
6. The resulting roll is placed in a warm place to obtain sprouts of the selected variety of dahlias from seeds.

When we plant annual dahlias for seedlings in this way, it is convenient to remove the resulting seedlings from the tape for further manipulation. At the same time, the timing of sowing the annual handsome dahlia for seedlings remains the same.

Sowing with sprouted seeds without picking

It is possible to sow seeds without using picking.

How to properly sow dahlias for seedlings in this way:

1. Place the seeds on a damp cloth and wait until they hatch. Seedlings of annual dahlias are grown from hatched seeds.
2. Planting of seeds is carried out in cake containers, in containers filled with garden soil with the addition of sand and peat for looseness.
3. Furrows are made in the ground and the sprouted seeds are laid out in rows every 2-4 cm.
4. The seed material is covered with earth, the surface of which is sprayed with a spray bottle. Cover the container with a transparent bag and place it in a warm place, marking it with a label.
5. When dahlias grown from seeds hatch, the film is removed and placed on the windowsill to obtain high-quality seedlings.

In May they are moved to a greenhouse for growing. How to grow seedlings of annual healthy dahlias? On warm days, they are taken “out into the open sky” for hardening. At the same time, the leaves acquire a rich color, and the seedlings become stronger and squat.

On a note. What to do if the dahlia seedlings have become very elongated? You need to add soil, and when picking, bury the stem. After this, put it in a bright, warm place and carry out hardening techniques. Fertilizing will help normalize flower growth.

Dahlias "Jolly Guys"

I would especially like to highlight the dwarf variety “Jolly Fellows,” which is very popular among gardeners. It is a perennial but is grown like annual dahlias. As a rule, this is a mix of colors that look very impressive in flower beds and ridges. The height of the plant is up to 60 cm, the inflorescences are semi-double and simple in a variety of rich shades, with a diameter of up to 10 cm. They are used in monoculture flower beds, mixborders, on ridges, and for landscaping balconies.

The variety is grown through seedlings or seeds in the same way as other annual dahlias. They bloom 2-3 months after sowing and bloom profusely until frost. You can dig up the root tubers before frost, save them like regular perennial dahlias and plant them again next year.

Popular varieties of dahlias

Annual varieties of dahlias can be from 25 cm to one meter in height. They begin to bloom much earlier than their perennial relatives. There are a great many varieties of this flower.

Funny boys

Merry Guys
Perhaps the most famous variety is “Merry Guys”. This variety grows up to half a meter. The plant is very branchy. It blooms continuously all summer with colorful multi-colored flat flowers about 10 cm in diameter.

Cactus mixture

Cactus mixture
This variety is slightly taller than “Jolly Guys”, reaching 60 cm in height. And the edges of its petals are curled and resemble cactus needles. The flower itself is also somewhat larger, reaching 12-13 cm in diameter and double. The colors are very varied.

Figaro

Figaro Violet
This variety is a low bush, no more than 40 cm high, but very grown in width. And it is a kind of blooming ball, consisting of flowers with a diameter of 5 to 80 cm. The color of the petals is very diverse: white and yellow, orange and pink, red and burgundy.

The plant is perfect for growing in large vases and containers. Looks great in flower beds and individual colorful bushes and on a balcony or terrace.

Piccolo

Piccolo
Piccolo is very similar to “Jolly Guys”, only the bush is slightly lower and the flowers are smaller. This variety can be grown in balcony boxes and flowerpots. The plant can be formed by pinching into a neat flowering bush.

Minion

Mignon Sunshine
A very beautiful miniature variety. The height of the bush reaches only 40 cm. The plant is very branched and produces many shoots. And in July they already bear inflorescences that are quite large for such a baby, about 9 cm in diameter. The flower is simple, not double, the petals are arranged in one row. The color of the petals can be very diverse: white, red, pink, yellow.

Dahlia collared Dandy

Dandy
This variety is slightly taller than the others, about 50 cm in height. The bush looks original in a group and as a separate plant. This variety has an interesting inflorescence structure. The inner row of petals is somewhat smaller than the outer one and seems to be raised like a collar. They look simply amazing. Such flowers are good in a bouquet. The coloring is very diverse. The collar is often of a contrasting color, which looks very decorative.

Annual dahlias - how to collect seeds

To obtain seeds of annual dahlias, first select the strongest bush. Faded flowers on this bush are not picked, but are left for further ripening of the seeds in the flower. After the flower has dried, it is carefully picked from the bush and additionally dried for some time naturally.

Then the seeds are selected from the dried flower and placed in paper bags. Store in a dry place, where you usually store all other seeds. At room temperature, seeds are stored for 2-3 years. However, when planting seeds in the ground, they do not always inherit the characteristics of the parent plant.

Have a good harvest!

How to care for annual dahlias: feeding

Feeding dahlias
The need to feed annual dahlias is determined by the type of soil in which they are located. If the soil is fertile and regularly fertilized with organic matter, then it needs less fertilizing.

Fertilizing areas with planted dahlias is carried out in three ways:

• While plowing the soil before planting
• Directly during planting, fertilizers are added to the holes
• In addition, foliar or root feeding is carried out

If fertilizers are chosen incorrectly, they may not have any effect, and this is at best. At worst, the plant will be harmed. So it is recommended to take soil samples for chemical analysis within 2-3 years.

In autumn, organic fertilizers are usually used for digging. For example, compost. It will be especially effective if it has not yet completely decomposed. Already in the spring, wood ash and aged peat are added.

Do not use chemicals as fertilizer. The fact is that dahlias do not take the necessary substances from them, and these fertilizers themselves are quickly washed out of the soil. These are various types of nitrate, potassium salt, carbamine or potassium chloride.

Immediately before planting, the land is not fertilized if it is fertile. It is necessary to apply fertilizing to the planting holes themselves. Humus is used for this. It is mixed with wood ash or furnace soot. For one bucket of compost, it is enough to use 3-4 tablespoons of ash. One hole requires a quarter of a bucket.

During active growth of dahlias, organo-mineral fertilizers are used. They are added approximately once every two weeks. Cow manure or chicken droppings are excellent for this purpose. So, a liter of manure or half a liter of chicken droppings is diluted with 10 liters of water. At the same time, potassium (15 g) or ammonium nitrate (10 g), superphosphate (15-20 g) and potassium sulfate (10-15 g) are added there. One bucket is enough for 4-5 plants.

It is recommended to apply this fertilizer to plants until mid-July, and then they are changed to others. In particular, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are used. When the second half of August has already passed, it is recommended to give preference to phosphorus fertilizers.

Popular types

There are more than 12,000 plant varieties in the world, which differ in height, flower shape and size, and color. Depending on the shape, there are double, non-double and semi-double dahlias. In turn, they are divided into 12 more groups, each of which will be considered in more detail:

1. Dissected. Characterized by rather large flowers. The petals are reed-like, extended forward.
2. Orchidaceae. They got their name because of the bizarre shape of the reed flowers. Their petals are either extended outward or curled inward.
3. Cactus. You will immediately recognize them by their petals, which are rolled into a tube. The flowers themselves are very large and visible from afar.
4. Pompons. These varietal dahlias have short, fairly dense flowers. Reach 5 centimeters in diameter. It is this group of flowers that is most often used for cutting because of its beauty and attractiveness.
5. Peony and Chrysanthemum. The name fully corresponds to the appearance of the flowers. They are very similar to chrysanthemums and peonies.
6. Nymphaeaceae. Unlike other varieties, they have slightly concave false-ligulate inflorescences. Oval shape.
7. Anemoids. The shape is the same as an anemone. Inside there is a disk of tubular petals, around 1-2 rows of reed petals.
8. Minion. Minions include annual dahlias. Rarely grow above 50 cm.
9. Decorative - with wide tongues.
10. Collared. In the center there are tubular flowers, around them there are petal-shaped ones, forming a “collar”.
11. Globular. Perhaps the most elegant look of all listed. The double inflorescence forms a beautiful ball.

The most popular varieties in our country include Peaches, Apvil, royal dahlia, Doris Day, Genetta, Noreen and many others. The group of minion and terry varieties remains in demand. Low-growing plants are actively used for landscaping balconies and are planted in ridges and borders. They also look great in flower beds, especially if planted in the front row.

Caring for young dahlia plants

Potted and container annual dahlias, especially in the first months after planting, require careful care. For them, it is necessary to provide systemic watering, maintaining a consistently high substrate humidity, but avoiding excessive dampness. Fertilizing is carried out with the standard frequency for summer growers - once every 2-3 weeks, using complex fertilizers or alternating organic and mineral fertilizing. On hot days, spraying with warm water will help dahlias maintain their fresh appearance and beautiful leaves until the end of the season.

After planting in the soil, it is also better for dahlias to maintain stable humidity, avoiding prolonged drying out of the soil and providing maintenance watering during drought. In the future, it is enough to water only when there is not enough rainfall or on particularly hot days. Fertilizing for plants on fertile soils may not be necessary, but 2-3 such procedures during the summer will allow dahlias to bloom more luxuriantly (they are carried out 2-3 weeks after transplantation, at the budding stage and a month after the start of flowering). It is better to avoid excess fertilizer in the soil, because excessive fertilizing will cause the growth of greenery to the detriment of flowering. From the first month of planting, it is worth taking care of two more components of caring for annual dahlias:

1. Loosening the soil, which is best done after each watering or heavy rainfall.
2. Weed control.

For both potted and annual dahlias growing in the ground, watering should be reduced in early autumn, carrying out careful water procedures if necessary and avoiding waterlogging of the soil. The last feeding for annual dahlias is carried out in August.

Removing spent heads, unless you want to collect seeds from them for the next season, allows you to extend flowering for a longer period. Pruning for annual dahlias is not carried out even after planting in open ground.

Dahlia seedlings from seeds

Preparing seeds and containers for seedlings

To plant dahlias, you can use purchased seeds or collect them yourself. Their maturation takes 1-1.5 months. Seeds should be collected from the highest quality inflorescences, leaving them on the stem after wilting. Harvesting is done on dry and warm days, then the seeds are kept at room temperature for several days, and then put away in a cool place. The dried material is laid out in paper bags.

Attention! When harvesting seeds yourself, the shade of the flowers grown from them may differ from the initial color.

Self-collected seeds must be sorted by size and density, which is determined when immersed in a saline solution. Loose specimens will float - they are not suitable for sowing.

To improve the quality of seedlings, it is necessary to treat the seeds with a growth stimulant. If you use a ready-made drug, the instructions should be on the packaging. It is effective to use aloe juice by diluting it in half with water. In this case, the seeds need to be soaked for 10-12 hours.

To get dahlia seedlings, the seeds must first be germinated. This is done in plastic containers or mini-greenhouses. The container should be large, but not high.

The spherical dahlia begins to bloom from the end of June

To pick seedlings, you can use plastic cups or blanks from bottles, clay, peat or paper pots. Paper and peat allow you to plant bushes in open ground along with a container.

Read more Pinching and pinching dahlias - video, photo

Containers for seed germination and pots for individual bushes must be thoroughly washed and disinfected. To do this, you need to effectively use a solution of potassium permanganate.

Attention! All containers for growing dahlias must have sufficient drainage holes.

Features of propagation of dahlias by seeds

Confusion with the classification of dahlias often leads to the fact that annual dahlias are considered one or more separate species of the genus Dahlia. In fact, it is more about a special method of cultivation and agricultural technology. Annual dahlias are any dahlias that are grown from seeds and are not saved for the winter , but are cultivated purely as annual plants, the same garden or variable dahlias that are grown and dug up for the winter in a perennial culture. Species dahlias are almost never found in cultivation today, and even if dahlias were bred specifically for growing from seeds, we are talking about complex hybrids, the origin of which is almost impossible to determine. But as a result of long-term selection of small plants better suited for growing in pots and containers, annual dahlias clearly stand out from their long-term competitors in their abundance, duration of flowering and their compact size.

Annual dahlias (on seed packages may simply be referred to as Dahlia, Dahlia hybrids, Dahlia x hybridum, Dahlia cultorum, Dahlia pinnata or the obsolete synonym Dahlia variabilis) are quite powerful, but not large, beautifully flowering herbaceous plants. Their roots are thickened, fleshy, and even when grown from seeds, tuberous “cones” are formed at the end of the season. Most modern varieties have a height ranging from 20 to 50 cm, although a large selection of seeds allows you to find taller options. Dahlias are characterized by branched, hollow inside, straight and rigid stems. The leaves are dense, arranged oppositely, large, pinnate or entire, broadly lanceolate or diamond-shaped with a sparsely serrated “toothed” edge. Edge is an optional but common characteristic of dahlia leaves. The color of the leaves varies depending on the variety, but is usually quite bright. Typical inflorescence baskets for representatives of the genus Dahlia (Dahlia) consist of large reed and small tubular flowers. The degree of flower terry, color, and size vary depending on the varietal characteristics.

Annual dahlias bloom from mid-summer, continuing their parade until they suffer from the first severe frosts. From sowing to flowering, a period of at least 50-60 days usually passes. It is worth paying special attention to the duration of the growing season and the timing of flowering: despite the fact that annual dahlias have a tendency for shorter forms to flower earlier and taller ones to bloom later, in modern varieties this rule is sometimes violated.

All annual dahlias reproduce in the same way. Today it is customary to divide dahlias into dwarf or balcony varieties and “regular” or garden dahlias. The name of the legendary variety “Jolly Fellows” has long become synonymous with any annual dahlias, but the range is far from limited to this variety mixture. Representatives of different varieties, groups and classes of dahlias do not differ from each other in the technique of growing from seeds .

Methods for growing annual dahlias:

1. Sowing into the soil.
2. Sowing seedlings

Germination of dahlia seeds. © Carol Lim