Simple dahlia care for stunning landscape design
In order for the plants on the plot to look their best, you need to understand the characteristics of planting and caring for each species. The combination of bright colors can give annual and perennial dahlia species.
Dahlia Overview
Dahlia or, as it is called scientific language, "dahlia" refers to the family Asteraceae.
According to various sources, from 4 to 42 varieties belong to the genus of this plant. The plant was first seen in the mountains of Guatemala, Mexico and Colombia. From these countries, the first representatives of this species were imported into our country.
In landscape design, low-growing varieties are used to form arrays, borders or rabatka. The remaining species look good in compositions on flowerbeds and in group plantings.
For single plantings, it is better to choose large-flowered, abundantly flowering varieties.
Those plants that are supposed to be cut must have a strong and long stem. Annual plants are thrown after flowering.
Dahlia can be called the queen of the garden plot. The splendor of shapes and colors adorn the garden with luxurious flower beds with lush greenery and variegated inflorescences.
The advantage of these spherical flowers is that the riot of colors persists until late autumn. These are the only summer plants with this property.
Criteria for choosing a landing site
In the process of choosing a place for planting a dahlia, one should remember that these flowers do not like drafts. In this case, the place should exclude stagnation of air.
In addition, dahlias love the sun. Therefore, the shaded parts of the plot should be excluded.
The special structure of the soil also contributes to the growth and flowering of dahlias. The earth should be drained and easily allow water to penetrate into the deep layers to nourish the roots.
Heavy and depleted soil types are not suitable for such plants. Also need to exclude scarce land and excessively damp.
Nutrient soil in this case will be of paramount importance. It can be enriched with humus and compost. These measures will increase the fertility of the land.
This procedure must be carried out in advance, since the soil must be stable. Other beneficial additives will be added immediately during planting.
Planting a dahlia by all the rules
Before planting, the bed must be re-fertilized. As a make-up, non-leaf compost is suitable, which must be scattered on the surface. In addition, you can use a few handfuls of wood ash. For mixing, it is better to use a rake.
For each root, you need to dig a recess in size 2 or 3 times the roots themselves. After immersing the roots in them, about 7 cm should remain free.
If high dahlias are used for planting, it is better to first install the supports, so that when you place them next to an already planted plant, you will not damage the roots.
Landing is done deep enough. The stalk should sink about 5 cm into the ground.
Immediately after planting, plants should be abundantly watered with water at room temperature.
The ground around the seedlings must be covered with crushed bark and sawdust. Such mulching will save young shoots from eating snails.
Making a Good Dahlia Bush
As the seedlings grow, they form bushes. A plant grown from a tuber is created by removing the smallest shoots. Only 2 of the largest and strongest are left for further growth. It is important to carry out this procedure as early as possible.
If reproduction was carried out using cuttings, then only one stem can be left. In this case, you need to pin it on top of the third sheet. Then from one stem will be able to get a lush bush.
In order for large-flowered varieties to be lush and beautiful, it is necessary to remove those shoots that appear in the axils of the leaves. This will save useful elements for the growth and development of the main flower.
If the bush turned out to be too thick, then you need to provide him with the necessary ventilation. To do this, it is enough to remove all leaves from the trunk at a height of 40 cm.
If the choice fell on small-flowered varieties:
- dwarf;
- pompoms;
- collar
then care for them will be much easier. In this case, forming bushes is not required.
Watering a dahlia and feeding them
Immediately after the dahlias have been planted, they require daily watering for a week. After this, watering occurs less frequently. The amount of water is reduced so that the soil does not dry out.
To maintain optimum moisture, it is worth mulching the soil. For this, humus, compost and peat are suitable. At the same time, regular watering is not excluded.
The hotter the days, the more often you need to water the plants. After each watering, it is necessary to carry out loosening of the earth, removal of weeds and the like regular procedures.
If you do not follow the rules of watering, then the buds will be set much less. Such bushes will be less lush, and their flowering - not so plentiful.
Fertilizing should be done with mineral fertilizers or organics according to the schedule 2 times a month. The optimum temperature for the growth of cuttings will be 16-18 gr. A temperature below 7 grams will not allow you to grow a full-fledged plant.
Dahlia care is easy. It is enough to carry out regular activities, ensuring the supply of nutrients to the plant roots. In addition, you need to ensure that pests do not spoil the leaves and shoots of plants. The result of such care will be a bright garden with lushly blooming flower beds of various shades.