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Dahlias can be found in every area. The largest variety of species is divided according to the shape, structure and degree of doubleness of the flower. Among the varieties currently grown by summer residents, a special place is occupied by the pompom dahlia – a very spectacular flower. Its spherical inflorescences reach a diameter of about 7 cm. The difference from other dahlias is clearly visible in the shape of the petals, which are folded into a tube along their entire length. In some varieties, they wrap inward and overlap each other, resembling shingles on a roof.
Dahlia pompom, which has a very large variety of colors of inflorescences, yet does not have a blue color. But it can surprise with play of tone, changing from the edge to the center of the flower or vice versa.
In shape, the pompon dahlia looks like a low bush with strong shoots.
Beautiful oval leaves harmoniously frame fluffy inflorescences. Among the features of varieties of pompon dahlias, their sensitivity to frost should be noted. As soon as there is a sudden drop in temperature in autumn, the leaves and flowers of dahlia immediately die off. But in the summer they delight the whole season with their bright spherical inflorescences.
Grow an amazing pompon flower from seeds. This process is within the power of even beginner growers.
Growing pompon dahlias
The very first step is to find a place for a flower bed with beautiful flowers. Although many people like to grow pompon dahlias as a frame or border. In any case, you will have to find a sunny area with nutritious soil. If the place is known in advance, then add organic soil in the fall so that there is less hassle with fertilizers in the spring.
Now we need to choose a variety of pom-pom flowers that are suitable for decorating a summer cottage. Dahlias are grown as perennials and as annual flowers. If you do not want to bother with digging up tubers or storing them, then growing from seed annually will do.
Many flower growers, in general, prefer the seedling method for pompom dahlias. In this case, dahlias are planted earlier in open ground than with direct sowing. As a result, they bloom much earlier.
For annual cultivation, seeds of pompon dahlias are sown in early April. If you sow a variety already familiar to you and want to continue growing it, then the sowing is transferred to the beginning of March. Then the plants will have time to form small tubers, ready for storage and planting for the next season.
For sowing seeds of pompon dahlias for seedlings, you will need a soil sweep, containers and seeds.
We start sowing
It is necessary to fill the container with soil for seedlings of pompon dahlias. Purchased or a mixture of sand, humus and sod land in equal proportions is suitable. Another option is peat, sand, perlite.
The soil is calcined, disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, “Fitosporin” or other drugs of the same group.
The seeds of these flowers are not small, so it is not problematic to sow them. Two pompon dahlia seeds are placed in one tablet.
The soil is moistened and the dahlia seeds are laid out on the surface, sprinkled a little with soil and pressed down. Lightly moisten from a spray bottle and cover the container with glass or film.
In order for dahlia seeds to germinate on time and together, they will have to provide a temperature of at least 26 ° C. If you have sown several varieties, mark their seedlings with labels or colored bookmarks.
After a week, a maximum of 10 days, shoots will appear. As soon as this happens, immediately remove the film or glass and transfer the container to a lighted place. In cloudy weather, illuminate the seedlings, otherwise you will get elongated seedlings.
If the shoots of dahlias turned out to be thickened, make a pick. Although this procedure is recommended for any type of seedlings. The pompon dahlia is no exception. Dive will improve the conditions for the growth of the root system and allow the seedlings to become stronger. It is carried out in the phase of two to four true leaves.
Before picking seedlings of pompon varieties, the soil is disinfected with a hot solution of potassium permanganate. Its composition should be identical to the soil in which the seeds were sown.
Now the seedlings need competent care. Watering should be moderate. With stagnant water or waterlogging, pompom dahlia seedlings can suffer from a fungal infection.
Before planting in the ground, it is better to harden the seedlings. This will help them to adapt more easily to new conditions and settle down faster. Seedlings of pompon varieties are planted in warm ground even when the possibility of return frosts has passed. When transplanting, they try not to destroy the clod of earth around the roots. In the early days, the bed is covered from a night drop in temperature.
Further care for plants consists of watering, fertilizing (if necessary).
Pompom dahlias are watered as the soil dries, avoiding waterlogging. It must be remembered that excessive moisture causes fungal diseases in dahlias, and a deficiency leads to drying of the foliage.
Varieties of pompon dahlias for summer cottages
“mixture of colors”
Dahlia pompom “Mix of colors” differs among its counterparts in bright inflorescences and flowering duration. The height of the bush is about a meter, therefore, in order to get flowering in July, it is better to grow in seedlings. In one bag of seeds, terry flowers of different colors are guaranteed to be collected. Will delight until October with lush flowers. The distance between plants is from 30 to 50 cm. The first or central flowers are weakly double.
In order to get high-quality inflorescences in the future, it is better to remove them. In the same way, faded inflorescences must be removed in time. They require weeding at the beginning of growth and periodic feeding. With early sowing, they form tubers, which allow the variety to be grown as a perennial.
“Terry ball”
One-year varieties include pompom dahlia “Terry ball”. The diameter of the inflorescences in the mixture ranges from 5 to 7 cm. The stems are strong, not bending, they perfectly hold the inflorescences. Among the features of the variety, resistance to adverse climatic conditions should be noted. He loves warmth and light, fertile and drained land. Can be grown as a seedling method, and sowing in the ground. It blooms all summer, responds well to fertilizing and loosening the soil.
A few more varieties of pompon dahlias for growing in summer cottages:
“White Nordlicht”
Yellow “Baby” with rowan tips
“Gretchen Heine” in light pink color
Tall representatives:
“Ankress”
Fatima
Dwarf varieties:
«Willo’s Surprise»
«Small World»
Conclusion
Choose the variety of pompom dahlias you like for your site. It will not be difficult to grow them, and beauty and comfort in the country will immediately increase. Many species are so attractive that they become favorite flowers and are constantly grown.
