Dahlias Funny guys: planting, leaving
Dahlias “Merry Boys” were so named because of their bright colors, which create a mischievous mood in the garden. This is one of the most popular and unpretentious varieties of dahlia.
Dahlia planting “Funny guys”
The easiest way to grow this variety of dahlias using seedlings. The seeds are sold in stores, usually they come in the form of a multi-colored mix. Start seedlings in April, and prepare the ground in the garden in the fall – fertilize it with manure or humus.
Dahlias “Funny guys” can bloom with all the colors of the rainbow
Proceed as follows:
- Plant the seeds in a container with garden soil to a depth of 2 cm. Step back 3 cm between the seeds. The first shoots will appear in 6-7 days.
- When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, plant them in spacious containers or peat pots.
- In May, take the seedlings out into the fresh air so that they are hardened. Gradually increase the airing time.
- Transplant the seedlings into the ground in mid-June. Plant it in rows. The distance between the seedlings is 20 cm, since the dahlia bushes grow strongly. After planting, water the seedlings and mulch the ground.
You can sow seeds in open ground right away, but in this case there is no guarantee that all of them will sprout. Sow in the ground in May, when the weather is stable.
Waterlogging for these flowers is much worse than drought, so water them carefully. The maximum watering frequency is once a week. Instead of watering, it is better to simply spray the bushes with water from a spray bottle. Stop watering completely from August.
Next year, you can grow dahlias from seeds or tubers.
If you choose seed propagation, then harvest them from the strongest and healthiest bushes. When the flower is completely dry, separate the seeds from the petals and dry them in the sun. Fold the seeds in paper bags and store in a dry place. So they can be stored for 2-3 years.
If you do not want to mess with seedlings next year, after the onset of frost, dig out the rhizomes of the flowers along with earthy clods. Disinfect them with a solution of potassium permanganate and dry for 2 days. Cover the wooden boxes in several layers with paper, put the tubers there, sprinkle them with sand and put them in the cellar for storage.
Thanks to a wide variety of colors, “Cheerful Guys” fit into a variety of landscape compositions. They look equally good in a large garden and in a small flower bed near the house. Try to grow this vibrant wonder of nature.