Dahlias have been actively grown for several centuries and their popularity, which had somewhat decreased in the 90s, is again growing with unprecedented force. Yes, and it is difficult to imagine that flowers so diverse in shape, color and size would be forgotten. There are many classifications of dahlias: by the size of the inflorescence, and by height, and by color, but the most common is the classification according to the shape of the inflorescence. According to this classification alone, about 16 groups of dahlias are distinguished, differing from each other in the shape and size of the inflorescences. Among them, the most famous are fringed, pompom, cactus, anemone, collar, decorative and many others.
Dahlia Marta, which will be discussed in this article, belongs to the semi-cactus group according to the above classification.
Semi-cactus dahlias
This group of dahlias is, as it were, transitional from cactus dahlias to decorative ones. Their inflorescences also form large caps of layers superimposed on each other, so that they can be called terry.
The middle of the inflorescence is more like the middle of a decorative group, when small and numerous tubular flowers are tightly pressed against each other and almost invisible.
The reed flowers surrounding them, commonly called petals, are oval from the base to the middle. But from the middle to the tips, they, like those of cactus dahlias, are folded into dense tubes that diverge in all directions from the center of the inflorescence.
A fairly large number of dahlias belong to this group.
The diameter of the inflorescence varies, from 10 cm to 20 cm and even more. The height of the bushes of plants of this group also varies greatly, from 50 cm to two meters.
Dahlia Marta – description
The dahlia variety Marta was obtained back in 1994 in the USA.
If you look at these flowers from afar, it seems that the fiery red rays are blazing against the background of bright yellow flashes. Looking closer, you can understand that the petals of the inflorescences themselves are bicolor – an orange-red hue prevails, which turns into bright yellow at the base of the petals. Moreover, this transition is not gradual, like in other colors, but is decorated with juicy oblong strokes. This creates such a unique effect. The petals taper towards the ends into tubules, like rays, and at the very tips they are painted whitish.
The diameter of the flowers is on average about 22 cm, but the size of individual inflorescences can reach up to 25 cm. Flowering can continue from late July until frost.
The height of the bush itself is rather average, about 90-100 cm.
Features of care
Since the homeland of the dahlia is the tropical countries of the South American continent, it is a very heat-loving plant. This must be taken into account both when planting it and when caring for it. The place is desirable to choose the warmest and sunniest. Be sure to protect it from strong winds with a wall of the house or high landings.
Dahlias are not very picky about soils, but they need a lot of nutrition for good growth and abundant flowering. Therefore, sandy soils must be well fertilized before planting dahlias. Loams will be ideal for creating a flower bed of dahlias.
For abundant flowering, the following conditions must be met when planting:
- Dahlia tuber should be started to germinate in room conditions from about mid-March. Otherwise, the dahlia, being a plant with a long growing season, will bloom very late, in August, or even in September.
- A grown dahlia is planted in a flower bed somewhere in early June in the middle lane, when all night frosts are a thing of the past. By this time, the tuber should already have several shoots, from 10 to 25 cm long.
- Before planting, a support for gartering future flowers is well hammered into the hole in the ground.
- After planting a tuber with a clod of earth, it is well shed with water.
- It is also advisable to thoroughly mulch the ground around the dahlia with straw or sawdust.
- The neck, when properly planted, should be buried a few centimeters below the soil level. As the shoots grow, they are tied to a support.
The main thing in caring for a dahlia is regular watering and top dressing. For the latter, it is better to use organic fertilizers.
Since the flower stalks of Martha’s dahlia are quite long and strong, they can be used for cutting.
Dahlia Marta is a wonderful member of this vast family of tuberous flowers and will give you many pleasant moments from admiring her during flowering.
