Dahlias in a summer cottage: how to grow and care (20 photos)

Dahlia flowers are bright plants of a decorative appearance. This is a subspecies of the Compositae plants. Grows in a lush, beautiful bush. The flower got its attractive name in honor of the naturalist Georg. Dahlias are often called "the colors of the passing summer." The plant blooms in late autumn. It blooms for three months.

Flowers can have a wide variety of parameters. The largest buds can reach 25 centimeters, and small ones less than 10 centimeters. Plant growth depends on how they will take care of it (watering, feeding, etc.). A beautifully flowering perennial will be excellently smoothed on a personal plot.

Gardeners share annual and perennial dahlias. Mostly all dahlias are classified into the following species:

• Simple or single row. This species is distinguished by the presence of one row of flowers. They are not terry. Their diameter does not exceed 10 centimeters. The height of the flower does not reach 60 centimeters.
• Anemone. They have exquisite, slightly terry flowers. The number of rows is from one to several pieces. With an inflorescence diameter of 10 centimeters, the stem height is 70 centimeters.
• Collar. This species is notable for the complex and beautiful shape of the flowers. The number of rows is one.
• Pion-shaped. The number of rows varies from one to several pieces. In the central part there is a small “pad” of a yellowish tint.
• Decorative. This is the largest class of these plants. Terry inflorescences, large size. Decorative dahlia has inflorescences up to 25 centimeters.
• Globular. This species boasts a bright and abundant flowering. Terry inflorescence has an attractive magnificent spherical shape. The diameter of the flower is 10-15 centimeters.
• Pompoms. In terms of external characteristics, it is difficult to distinguish them from spherical. The only significant difference is the small size of the flowers (5 cm). In height, the plant can reach 150 centimeters.
• Semi-cactus. Terry flowers with a diameter of up to 25 centimeters are distinguished by the presence of wider petals along the edge. Petals are folded to their length.
• Lotus. This is a very spectacular variety of dahlias. She fell in love with a large number of flower growers with attractive double flowers with a diameter of up to 25 centimeters.
• Mixed. This species is characterized by the presence of a completely different form of inflorescences. It is quite rare.

Depending on the height of the bush, dwarf, stunted, medium-tall and tall plants are distinguished. In addition, there are giant perennial dahlias. They are planted mainly in the vicinity with supports.

Features of planting and care

All varieties of dahlias are unpretentious. They can be grown independently, on their own. However, growing dahlias requires certain rules to be followed. How to grow dahlias? Planting is carried out using seedlings or tubers. If you have chosen a seedling method, then you need to plant the plant in mid-May. It is important not to forget to cover the small flowers with plastic wrap.

When grown by tubers, flowers are planted in early May. Dahlias in the garden love when the soil is fertile. This is a sun-loving plant, you should not plant it in the shade. There it will not actively grow. Caring for dahlias will not cause additional difficulties.These flowers need to be watered often. Especially in dry weather. Watering should be plentiful, but not frequent. As weeds germinate, the flower needs to be weeded. Feeding involves the use of mullein, superphosphates, nitrogen. With proper care, the plant begins to bloom in July. It will delight with its spectacular colors to the very frosts.

How to plant dahlias? When planting, it is necessary to consider the distance between plants. If these are tall dahlias, then it is necessary to plant flowers at a distance of 80-90 centimeters from each other. For undersized plants, it is enough to observe a distance equal to 50-60 centimeters. During plant care, do not loosen the ground using a hoe. The fact is that dahlias are distinguished by the presence of a shallow root system. When working with a hoe, you can accidentally inflict damage. In order to fight weeds, it is better to use mulching - this method is safer and more effective. When the bush reaches 25 centimeters or more, it must be fixed to a vertical base. This is necessary so that in a strong wind the stem does not break.

Dahlias in the country have their own pests (caterpillars, ticks, bugs). Young shoots are particularly attractive to pests. When insects first appear, dahlia shoots must be processed using a decoction based on wormwood and celandine. The broth can be changed to a soap solution. Remember that spotty or mosaic wilting is not treated.

The healing properties of the plant

Dahlias boast the presence of medicinal properties. For this reason, they can be attributed to medicinal plants. The flower contains substances that help the human body get rid of toxins, heavy metals. Taking a decoction prepared on the basis of flowers and leaves, you can normalize the thyroid and pancreas. For medicinal purposes, flowers that have small buds are mainly used. Dahlias are very useful for those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases.

The leaves and roots contain a large number of amino acids and polysaccharides. Taking this drug is recommended as a prevention of diabetes. In addition, dahlias help relieve inflammatory processes in the joints, alleviating the patient's condition. Inulin is extracted from dahlia tubers. It is widely used in order to produce fructose. Fructose is a natural substitute for sugar, starch. This component is very valuable for people who suffer from diabetes.

Garden Dahlia is widely used in cosmetology. If the crushed root of the plant, together with honey, is applied to the hair roots, then the hairstyle will become more magnificent with time. Hair with a regular procedure will gain shine and strength. Fresh dahlia leaves are used to treat blackheads. An excellent anti-aging mask can be prepared from rhizomes.

Dahlia leaves have a beneficial effect on the skin with cuts and scratches. They must be applied to the affected area, carefully wrapped in a band-aid and removed after 20-30 minutes. The leaves will help relieve the inflammatory process on the skin, reduce pain. Dry leaves help to cope with boils, suppuration.

A flower helps alleviate a person’s condition with a common condition such as arthritis. To obtain an effective remedy in the fight against this ailment, it is necessary to mix the crushed dahlia tuber with horseradish, bodyaga, and date grains. Vodka is added to the mixture in a ratio of 1: 1. She must be infused for 12 hours. The prepared mixture must be applied to the inflamed foci. Use the product is required during the week in the morning.

Features of the use of dahlias in cooking

Dahlias are widely used in cooking. In this area, the plant is used much less often than others.Petals are used in the preparation of salads and a variety of dishes. They give food a certain piquancy. In Mexican cuisine, tubers and inflorescences are widely used to prepare a variety of dishes. A drink is made from dahlia tubers. It is used instead of the usual tea or coffee. To improve the taste, such an original drink is consumed with milk or cream. Dahlia flowers and tubers are low in calories. This plant can be a great solution for organizing a diet.

How to store tubers in the winter?

How to care for dahlias in winter? When severe frost occurs, dahlia tubers must be dug up. This event, usually in the middle zone of our country, is carried out in late September and early October. Digging is required in dry weather. This must be done so that the tubers have time to dry. 5-6 days before digging from the bush, it is necessary to carefully remove all leaves, stems. They need to be covered with aluminum foil. Tubers are dug in from all sides (30 centimeters). The forks must be gently slipped under the long root system. Then, they should be pushed out. After digging up the tuber, shake it off the ground. Then it is washed and necessarily dried.

When caring for dahlias, special attention should be paid to the storage of tubers. If the tubers are not dried well enough, they can rot. Excessive drying can lead to the fact that the sprouts in the spring will be very weak. This will make it difficult to grow. Planting stock should be stored in a room that is well ventilated. Humidity in the room should be within 60%. It is recommended to store tubers under crushed charcoal. Material for planting is placed in tanks with peat, sand. If the tubers start to dry excessively, then peat can be moistened.