Contents
Everyone knows that perennial dahlias are grown from tubers. This method provides for certain troubles associated with digging and storing rhizomes. In the spring, these tubers must be sorted out, separated, and again dripped into the ground. Therefore, many flower growers prefer to grow annual varieties of dahlias. Thus, you can plant flowers of different varieties and colors every year. Most of them collect the seeds themselves and germinate them for planting in the spring. You can, of course, just sow dahlia seeds immediately into the flower garden, but then flowering will begin only at the end of summer. So let’s look at how to properly prepare dahlias for seedlings, as well as how to grow and care for dahlias from seeds. Many are interested in when to plant seedlings, and how to do it correctly. You will see the answers to these questions below.
Preliminary work
First you need to know that the cultivation of annual dahlias is divided into the following stages:
- Seed collection.
- Dahlia germination.
- Seedling care.
- Planting flowers in the ground.
But if you are growing dahlias for the first time, it is worth considering which varieties are best suited. For seedlings in 2019, seeds of undersized dahlias are often bought. Such flowers can be grown even in apartment buildings. It has become very popular to plant dahlias on your balcony. If you have a flower bed, then medium-sized dahlias that grow no higher than 60-65 centimeters will be an excellent option. There are varieties that reach up to one and a half meters in height. In general, the choice is huge, and everyone can pick up dahlias to their liking.
Very often on the shelves of flower shops you can find mixtures of seeds. These packages contain seeds of the same variety of dahlias, but of different colors. Such bright combinations will make your yard colorful, and will cheer you up every time. And given that dahlias bloom for a very long time, you can enjoy such beauty even after other flowers in your garden have already withered.
For those who already grow dahlias, it will be easier and more economical to prepare the seeds yourself. They are collected from completely dried flowers, and stored until spring in paper envelopes. The only drawback of this method is that annual dahlias quickly degenerate, and the seeds may lose their properties over time. So from time to time you will have to change the seed.
Preparation of seedlings
The first step is to prepare the soil for sowing seeds. Preparations should begin in the fall. Humus, turf and sand are perfect for this. Peat can also be used instead of humus. All components are taken in equal quantities, and mixed until smooth. Next, we sow the mixture through a sieve to separate the stones. After that, the soil should be heated in the oven and treated with a solution of manganese, this will help get rid of diseases and pests. The seeds themselves do not need to be processed.
For seedlings of dahlias, low boxes with drains for excess liquid are suitable. Half of the container is filled with prepared soil. Before sowing the seeds, the soil must be moistened with a sprayer. Then the seeds are sown at a distance of 3 centimeters from each other. The depth of the hole should be no more than 2 centimeters. Immediately after this, the planted seeds are placed in a warm place with good lighting, the air temperature should be around +25 ° C.
The first shoots should appear after 5-10 days. Now that the sprouts have sprouted, you need to remove the film from the boxes and leave them again in a sunny place. With insufficient lighting, the sprouts will stretch. During this period, it is very important to monitor the level of humidity. The soil should not dry out, but at the same time, a large amount of moisture can lead to diseases and destroy seedlings. It is better to water dahlias with a spray bottle.
Picking should begin after the appearance of three or four leaves. You can move the sprouts into separate disposable cups or other containers convenient for you. They must be filled with soil from the box in which the seedlings grew. A hole should be made at the bottom of the cups so that excess liquid can drain.
Care of seedlings
Healthy and strong seedlings will tolerate planting in the ground much easier, and will also grow well and bloom quickly. To do this, it is necessary to provide her with appropriate conditions and care. Probably the most important thing for seedlings is good lighting. With poor exposure to sunlight, the sprouts become too thin and stretch. It is also necessary that the room with seedlings is well ventilated. But it is important not to overdo it and prevent drafts.
Do not forget about the regular watering of seedlings. The soil should not dry out, so you need to constantly monitor the level of moisture. You need to water only as needed, if you see that the soil begins to dry out.
It is advised from time to time to feed the seedlings with special complex fertilizers. The first feeding can be done only two weeks after picking. The following procedures are carried out every seven days.
In early May, you can start hardening plants. This is necessary so that the seedlings get used to temperature changes. The first time dahlias are taken out to the street or balcony for five minutes. Every day you need to increase the time.
When to plant dahlias
Planting dahlias outdoors depends on the climate in your area. In the southern regions and the center, seedlings are planted from the third week of May. Then in June, the plants will begin to bloom and delight the eyes of others. In the northern regions, the second decade of June will be the best time. The main thing is that the soil is well warmed up. Since every year spring can bring its own surprises, you should not focus too much on any dates. The time when to plant seedlings comes from the moment the frosts completely stop.
How to plant dahlias
You should be responsible for choosing a place for planting dahlias. It directly depends on how strong the bushes will be, and how quickly the flowering period will begin. To choose the ideal site, you need to consider the following factors:
- illumination level;
- soil composition;
- soil moisture.
It is important that the territory is spacious, and the seedlings are not crowded with each other. The place should be well lit. Dahlias do not like strong winds and shaded areas. Therefore, planting them near trees is not advised. In such conditions, the seedlings will stretch, and will not be able to form buds. As a result, there will be very few flowers, and the bushes will look unhealthy. The place for the flower bed should not be deepened so that water does not stagnate there. It is better to plant dahlias on high ground, this will help protect them from frost. Dahlias grow well in slightly acidic or neutral soil.
To easily remove the sprout from the cup, you need to pour plenty of water on it. After 2 hours, you can get the seedlings from the containers and start planting. This method takes a little time, but allows you to keep the root system safe and sound. Due to injuries, the plant may not take root in open ground.
Planted seedlings should be at a distance of about 20 centimeters, if we are talking about low-growing varieties. About 50 centimeters are left between medium-sized bushes, and about 70 centimeters between tall plants. As fertilizer, you can put humus or wood ash in the hole.
The earth around the bushes is mulched, this will protect the plants from the cold, and will not allow the flower garden to overgrow with weeds. All these steps will help dahlias grow quickly and begin to bloom.
Dahlia care
Dahlia is considered an unpretentious plant. It is highly drought tolerant and does not like too wet soil. Due to such features, the dahlia should be watered only when necessary, if the soil has begun to dry out. Even during the period of the most active growth, watering can be done only once a week. If it rains at this time, then even less often.
Top dressing is advised to be carried out once every 2 weeks. Before flowering, only organic fertilizers, such as mullein infusion, can be applied. 1 liter of mullein is added to a bucket of water, and dahlias are watered. One bush will need 1,5 liters of infusion.
When the plants begin to bloom, mineral fertilizers can be applied. Phosphate and potash fertilizers are best suited. The solution is prepared according to the instructions. Such top dressing is also carried out 2 times a month.
Of course, from time to time it is necessary to loosen the soil, as well as remove weeds. Such standard care promotes good air access to the root system. If the summer is dry, you can hill the bushes, then the moisture will last longer.
Conclusion
As we have seen, dahlia seedlings are quite easy to grow. By correctly completing each of the steps, you will get strong and healthy sprouts. And as you know, good seedlings are already the key to success. We also looked at how to plant seedlings and care for them. Dahlias are one of the few flowers that are undemanding to care, but bloom very beautifully and profusely. Therefore, many love and are happy to plant them in their plots.