When to sow annual dahlias for seedlings: planting, care and picking

In this article we will talk about how to properly plant annual dahlias and care for them.

Dahlias are considered very beautiful and bright flowers of the Asteraceae family. There are more than a thousand varieties in total. Annual flowers are distinguished by the fact that they do not have to be dug up for the winter to prevent them from freezing. This makes them easier to breed. To make flowering faster, gardeners grow these flowers through seedlings. Let's find out how these flowers are planted and how to care for them.

Annual dahlias - what kind of flowers are they and how are they grown?

Annual dahlias
If you decide to plant annual dahlias, then think about the planting material in advance. If you are planting these flowers for the first time, then you should take care of the preparations in the fall. When the time for planting approaches, keep in mind that this must be done on favorable days.

As you know, the Moon is an excellent guide for planting, especially since it has a strong influence on plants. More and more flower growers are paying attention to lunar calendars, as they are able to tell when and what work to do.

So, in 2022 the following days are favorable:

Favorable days

As we have already said, the planting of flowers is greatly influenced by the characteristics of the zone. It is important to understand that even within the boundaries of one city the earth warms up unevenly. For example, lowlands take longer to thaw from snow. In this case, you can focus on warm weather, when the frosts have stopped. In particular, the temperature should not cross the threshold of zero degrees.

In the Moscow region and the middle zone, landing usually takes place in the middle or end of the month. Well, if winter comes early, then the procedure can be performed at the beginning. Just keep in mind that most likely there will be night frosts at this time, so it is recommended to take care of covering material. This will save the plants.

In the Ural and Siberian territories the climate is more severe and summer comes later. Here, dahlias can be planted in the front garden only in the second decade of June. During this period, the temperature already reaches 15 degrees Celsius and the flowers can develop calmly. Most often, gardeners practice the seedling method. Then the already strengthened tubers can be transferred to the sun.

In hot regions, you should not delay replanting so much, because the soil quickly warms up and dries, and therefore flowers can be sent to the beds already in April.

Climatic features of cultivation

For plants to grow well, they need warm soil. Then the short growing season will be captured as much as possible. The site must be well protected from the winds: this must be taken into account in the Urals, Belarus, Siberia and the Leningrad region, where windy weather prevails, leading to freezing of plants, especially those recently planted on the site.

The best varieties of annual dahlias with photos and descriptions: list

Annual dahlias differ in their structure and even flower shape. Today there are 12 classes of these colors. However, over time, new classes begin to appear, as gardeners are actively trying to develop new varieties. We will tell you about the most popular varieties that are most often grown.

Simple

Simple dahlias

Such flowers have only one row of petals with a diameter of 10 centimeters. The bush grows approximately 45-60 cm. The flowers can be pink, yellow and orange-red.

Anemoneaceae

Anemone dahlias

Its marginal petals can grow in one or several rows. They also usually grow no more than 10 cm in diameter. However, the bushes are already larger in height, approximately 60-90 cm. The main colors are lilac-yellow, bronze and red.

Collar

Collared dahlias

The flowers do not differ in size, and the height of the bush reaches 75-120 cm. The petals have one outer edge row, and another one grows along the top. The latter are usually twisted and short. At the same time, they differ in color. The main colors found are golden-scarlet, creamy-reddish and creamy-yellowish.

Peony-shaped

Peony dahlias

They already have bigger flowers. They reach approximately 12-15 cm in diameter. Along the edges, the petals are usually arranged in two or more rows. The shrub grows up to 75-120 cm in height. The main colors are crimson red and purple.

Decorative

Decorative dahlias

The flowers feel like double flowers. Their flower size range is quite large. It can grow from 8 to 25 cm. The height of the bush does not exceed 60 cm. It is mainly found in orange, yellow or purple colors.

Globular

Globular dahlias

They are round in shape and slightly flattened. Their diameter can reach up to 8-15 cm. The bush reaches 90-120 cm in size. Among the colors there are peach-red, reddish and yellow.

Pompons

Pompon dahlias

These flowers are small. They grow from five centimeters or more. The petals are rounded at the edges or have a blunt end. They grow up to 90-120 cm. The most common colors are lavender, light purple, and pinkish.

Cactaceae

Cactus dahlias

Double flowers can grow up to 8-25 cm and even more, and the bush stretches high up to 90-150 cm. They look very beautiful in red, pink and yellow colors.

Semi-cactus

Semi-cactus dahlias

The flowers also reach 8-25 cm in size, and the bushes are 90-150 cm high. Along the edges, the petals curl from the middle to the ends. The smallest flowers are usually found in yellow, the slightly larger ones are white, the medium ones are orange, and the largest ones are also yellow.

Nymphaeal

Nymphaeum dahlias

In appearance, the flowers are somewhat reminiscent of water lines. They are distinguished by their correct shape and are loved by gardeners for their grace. The flowers can reach 7-20 cm in diameter and 70-130 cm in height. The main colors are light pink, pure white and lilac.

By the way, there are also mixed varieties. They combine those we described above. They come in different sizes, as well as a wide range of colors.

How to sow annual dahlias for seedlings?

First, let's figure out how to plant annual dahlias as seedlings. First of all, you need to choose a container. Even simple plastic containers will do. It is necessary to make holes in them so that excess water comes out. Place drainage at the bottom and fill with soil. Dahlias prefer light and nutritious soil. So it is advisable to add baking powder to the soil.

So, the order of planting dahlia seedlings is as follows:

• First check if the days are favorable for planting. This can be done using the lunar calendar. If the day is favorable, then feel free to prepare for landing
• Soak the seeds overnight. To do this, prepare a solution of aloe juice and water in a ratio of 1 to 2. When everything is ready, place the seeds there. Don't just put the seeds, wrap them in cheesecloth
• The next day, moisten the soil in the containers. Simply watering will not work, spray the ground with a spray bottle
• Next, scatter the seeds evenly on the ground and lightly sprinkle on top. The layer can be made 1.5-2 cm
• Cover the finished pots with film or glass. This will create a greenhouse effect for seed growth. Place containers in a warm and sunny location. The temperature should be 23-25 ​​degrees
• It is important to ventilate containers, that is, they should not be kept closed all the time. It is enough to do this for about 15 minutes. Be sure to remove all accumulating condensate
• As soon as the first shoots appear, the film can be removed, but just do it not immediately, but gradually. Start with half an hour a day, then increase to two hours. Later it can be removed completely
• Direct watering for the seeds is now not required; they can simply be sprayed with a spray bottle. Well, when they grow up, you can water them at the root. Just keep in mind that water should not get on the above-ground parts of the plants.
• Please note that plants require 12-14 hours of daylight. So, if necessary, turn on the phytolamps

It is also important to know that before planting in the ground, seedlings must be hardened off. To do this, it must be taken out into fresh air every day. Also, not for the whole day at once, but gradually, starting from 20 minutes.

Planting dates by region

The procedure for growing seedlings of annual dahlias is the same for all regions, only the sowing time differs. Shoots after sowing appear in 3-4 days. After a couple of weeks they are planted, and after another 2 weeks the seedlings are ready for planting in the ground.

Dahlias are planted in well-warmed soil when frost is excluded. Based on the temperature conditions of the region and the time of seedling growth, sowing dates are calculated.

When choosing a planting date, consider the following points:

• manufacturer's recommendations;
• moon calendar;
• climate of the region.

Central Russia and Moscow region

In the Moscow region and the central zone, dahlia seeds are sown at the very end of March or at the beginning of April. Seedlings are planted in the ground after stable heat has been established, when return frosts are excluded. For the Moscow region, this period begins on June 6-10.

Siberia

Siberia does not have the most favorable conditions for dahlias. Summer here is short, autumn is early, and frosts are possible in spring and early June. Seeds are sown for seedlings no earlier than April 20-30.

Ural

Sowing of dahlias in the Urals begins 1-2 weeks later than in the middle zone. Here, night frosts are possible even at the beginning of June, so the timing of planting seedlings is postponed to June 10-12. By this time, the soil warms up to +12...+14°C, and the air temperature to +15..+16°C.

The Ural spring, and even the beginning of summer, can bring temperature surprises, so gardeners here take extra precautions. Dahlia seedlings are covered with film at night for 5-7 days after transplantation.

Krasnodar region

In the south of Russia, spring comes very early. And since the goal of growing dahlias using the seedling method is early flowering, they begin to sow them in March. By the beginning of May, the seedlings are ready for planting. If the weather is unfavorable, you will have to wait until mid-May. Already in June, the first buds will bloom on the bushes.

Picking annual dahlias - how to do it: step-by-step instructions

Picking dahlias
When annual dahlias are sown in the usual way, then after two or three leaves appear, you can plant them in separate pots. This is done so that the plants do not quickly grow upward due to lack of light. Of course, plant growth is good, but in this case the stems will turn out to be very thin and the seedlings will be weak. In this case, she will quickly die.

Picking dahlias is carried out in the following way:

• To begin, take a suitable container. You can use the same plastic cups
• Place in them the same soil that you used for sowing. This is necessary so that the plant does not have much stress after transplantation.
• A couple of hours before you pick up the plants, water the soil on the ready-made plants so that it becomes soft and it is easier to remove the seedlings
• After this, remove the seedlings carefully. The main thing is to be careful not to harm the roots. There is no need to remove soil from them
• Make a hole in the center of the cup and place the seedling there
• Sprinkle the holes a little on top and press down the soil
• Finally, water the seedlings

When you pick, choose the strongest specimens for replanting. They must have a thick and strong stem. Well, all thin and weak ones should be rejected. They may not take root not only after picking, but even when they get into open ground.

Picking seedlings: features of the method

When seedlings are received, picking is carried out. Seedlings of the Merry Guys variety grow quickly at home. You need to know not only how to sow unpretentious annual dahlias as seedlings, but also how to plant them correctly.

This technique is carried out for:

• strengthening roots;
• supply of batteries;
• pull protection.

The picking of healthy seedlings of annual dahlias is done in the phase of two true leaves. The plant is carefully removed from the ground without damaging the root system. Pinch off the tip of the main, longest root and plant it in separate cups, deepening it to the leaves. Dahlias Merry guys at this phase take root well and grow.

On a note. The soil mixture contains 50% turf soil. This technique will allow you to plant Jolly Guys dahlias in a flowerbed, preparing them for normal soil. This also applies to other varieties.

After 2 weeks, it is necessary to apply complex flower fertilizers. This will help grow dahlia seedlings strong and gain green mass faster. Correctly carried out methods of growing dahlia seedlings from high-quality seeds will allow you to obtain seedlings that can withstand external climatic factors.

What to do if the seedlings are thin or very elongated? Perform pinching of annual dahlias. Usually the procedure is carried out when the flower crop has formed 4 leaves. Growing seedlings involves using pinching, but if the seedlings are strong, then it is not necessary.

When to plant annual dahlia seedlings in the ground?

Annual dahlias are planted in the ground only when there are favorable conditions for this. In particular, you need to take into account the weather and the phase of the moon. During the same period, flowers are planted and immediately placed in the ground. They will bloom a little later and not as profusely.

So, transplanting into the ground is carried out as follows:

• First, we prepare the area for transplantation. You need the soil to be loose. In addition, it must be fertilized with compost or rotted manure. Dig up the soil and gradually add loosening ingredients
• When the soil is ready, start making rows and holes. Keep a distance of 20-30 cm between them. In this case, they can be larger or smaller. It all depends on what specific bushes you have chosen.
• Water the seedlings in containers so that they can be removed well. Plants are removed along with the soil, that is, it is not removed from the roots, but is replanted along with it
• Place the plant in the hole and compact it lightly
• Finally, water the soil and mulch it. You can use sawdust, peat or other material for these purposes.

Now your plants are in the ground and it is important to care for them properly. In other words, if you want to get good plants with bright and strong buds, you must provide them with proper care.

Transplantation to a permanent place

Dahlia seedlings can be planted in a permanent location after the end of spring frosts.

Preparing the flowerbed

Only a few varieties of dahlias can grow in shaded areas, so the location for the flowerbed should be chosen in a well-lit area. Moisture should not stagnate in the soil, so drainage with vermiculite or perlite is recommended.

Vermiculite

Landing

At a distance of 40-50 centimeters from each other, holes are made in the soil of such a size that the roots of the plants fit into them freely. For tall varieties, the distance between holes is increased to 70-80 centimeters.

Before planting, the soil in the holes must be moistened and ash and humus added about 1-2 handfuls each.

You can remove seedlings from the container only after the soil is well moistened, so that the roots are not damaged during replanting. If the seedlings were grown in peat pots, the seedlings are placed in the holes along with the pots. Deepening the seedlings into the holes - up to the first cotyledon leaves.

It is advisable to mulch the soil around the plant with a layer of vermiculite about two centimeters thick. This will protect the roots from hypothermia and prevent weeds from growing.

After planting, the seedlings are shaded. The shading is removed after three to four days: during this time the seedlings have time to take root well

How to care for annual dahlias: feeding

Feeding dahlias
The need to feed annual dahlias is determined by the type of soil in which they are located. If the soil is fertile and regularly fertilized with organic matter, then it needs less fertilizing.

Fertilizing areas with planted dahlias is carried out in three ways:

• While plowing the soil before planting
• Directly during planting, fertilizers are added to the holes
• In addition, foliar or root feeding is carried out

If fertilizers are chosen incorrectly, they may not have any effect, and this is at best. At worst, the plant will be harmed. So it is recommended to take soil samples for chemical analysis within 2-3 years.

In autumn, organic fertilizers are usually used for digging. For example, compost. It will be especially effective if it has not yet completely decomposed. Already in the spring, wood ash and aged peat are added.

Do not use chemicals as fertilizer. The fact is that dahlias do not take the necessary substances from them, and these fertilizers themselves are quickly washed out of the soil. These are various types of nitrate, potassium salt, carbamine or potassium chloride.

Immediately before planting, the land is not fertilized if it is fertile. It is necessary to apply fertilizing to the planting holes themselves. Humus is used for this. It is mixed with wood ash or furnace soot. For one bucket of compost, it is enough to use 3-4 tablespoons of ash. One hole requires a quarter of a bucket.

During active growth of dahlias, organo-mineral fertilizers are used. They are added approximately once every two weeks. Cow manure or chicken droppings are excellent for this purpose. So, a liter of manure or half a liter of chicken droppings is diluted with 10 liters of water. At the same time, potassium (15 g) or ammonium nitrate (10 g), superphosphate (15-20 g) and potassium sulfate (10-15 g) are added there. One bucket is enough for 4-5 plants.

It is recommended to apply this fertilizer to plants until mid-July, and then they are changed to others. In particular, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are used. When the second half of August has already passed, it is recommended to give preference to phosphorus fertilizers.

How to collect your seeds

Seeds of annual dahlias can be bought at a flower shop, or you can prepare them yourself. To do this, mark the flower you like with a thin thread or in some other way and allow it to fully ripen. That is, after withering it is not removed. In place of the faded flower, a light green box is formed in which the seeds ripen. After ripening, the box takes on a dark beige color. Ripe seeds may spill out of the capsule. To prevent this from happening, you can do two things:

1. The stems of the plant are cut and brought into a warm, well-ventilated room. Tie heads down.
2. The box that begins to change color is tied with a piece of gauze. The seeds will ripen naturally, but will not fall off.

It is best to harvest seeds from the first flowers. This way you are more likely to get fully ripened seeds. If in the fall, and this is precisely the time when the seed pods ripen, there is a lot of precipitation, then it is better to let the seeds ripen at home at a temperature of 20-25 degrees above zero. Dahlia seeds can be collected several years in advance; they remain viable for 3-4 years. It is best to store Seeds in paper bags or linen bags in a dry place.

Pinching annual dahlias: step-by-step instructions

Pinching dahlias
Most gardeners carry out this procedure as pinching. Beginner gardeners always have a question: do annual dahlias need to be pinched and why do it at all? This operation, as a rule, is required for flowers, but only for medium-sized and tall ones, and of all types. But for dwarfs this procedure is not required.

Among the advantages, it stands out that pinching allows you to make the plant more neat in appearance, and the size of the flowers is larger. In addition, the energy of the dahlia will thus be preserved to create a good and strong tuber.

Pinching of flowers is carried out some time after the shoots appear and eight true leaves grow. The top of the flower is removed using sharp scissors or pruners. As a result, the bush gets a beautiful and lush shape. Buds also appear on the side shoots, which means the plant becomes more lush.

When a gardener works with annual crops, he needs to ensure that the power of the dahlia is directed specifically at flowering. So carefully inspect the bushes and find places where there is too much foliage. It must be removed so that the plantings are better ventilated. There is no need to be greedy and leave a lot of shoots. If the bush is too thick, it may become infected with fungus or begin to rot.

Care instructions

Annual dahlias are easy to care for. Unlike perennial plants, they do not need constant fertilization - just enough organic matter when digging the soil. To achieve dense flowering, wood ash is added when forming inflorescences. To reduce the frequency of watering and weeding, the roots are mulched with peat, sawdust, and spruce needles.

The soil in the flower bed needs to be loosened periodically. To make the bush more lush, pinch the tops of the shoots. Weeds are removed in a timely manner - they take nutrients from the soil. If the care rules are violated, the flowers may develop powdery mildew, gray and brown rot. When the first signs of fungal diseases are detected, the plantings are treated with Quadris and Fundazol.

Why do the leaves of annual dahlia seedlings curl?

Dahlia leaves curl
Sometimes gardeners have to watch how annual dahlias begin to curl their leaves and, as a result, all efforts turn out to be in vain. Of course, in this case the flower will not delight with its beauty. In this case, it is important to understand the reasons for this phenomenon and try to eliminate them so that the flowers are still beautiful.

So, the reasons why leaves curl are as follows:

• The plant does not have enough nutrients and microelements
• There are pests on the flowers, in particular aphids
• The flower got brown spot
• The air is too dry or too frequent watering will kill the plant.

Perhaps your dahlias are simply lacking nutrients. In this case, add special substances during watering, and soapy water helps fight aphids. 1% Bordeaux liquid helps get rid of brown spot.

Pros and cons of annual dahlias

Among the advantages

planting annual dahlias include the following facts:

• annual species begin flowering in the first year of planting;
• they bloom much more intensely than perennials;
• the flowering period lasts from the first days of June until the first serious frost;
• annuals reproduce by seeds, so root crops are rarely dug up and special storage conditions are not needed (tubers of perennial dahlias are dug up and stored in the cellar);
• plants take root in any climate, including harsh ones;
• annual dahlias are more resistant to various diseases.

Disadvantages include:

1. Every year the gardener needs to grow a new plant;
2. Seeds obtained from hybrid varieties do not retain the properties of the mother flower. Therefore, it will not be possible to get exactly the same plant from your own seeds. Seeds of hybrid varieties need to be purchased again.

Decorate your garden: the best varieties of unpretentious annuals that bloom all summer

Annual dahlias - can the tubers be stored?

Growing annual dahlias is not difficult, but it is important to do it correctly. So, by autumn they grow neat corms. They can be dug up and stored. Please note that you should not save the seeds, because they may not bloom in the end. This is due to the fact that dahlias do not transmit flowering in this way.

Preserving the rhizomes of the desired plant requires some skill, because annuals are much more difficult to preserve. The fact is that their corms are very small. This is precisely the difficulty, because they waste their moisture much faster. So it is important to choose a storage method so that the planting materials feel good.

So, when digging, the corms are divided into four groups and stored in one of the most suitable ways. In this case, it is important to take into account the air temperature, humidity level and air humidity.

As for the storage location, you will have to choose experimentation methods. By combining places and methods you will choose the most optimal option. By the way, this is precisely why it is recommended to divide the tubers into several groups, so that you can find the right method in just one winter.

Seedling care

Dahlia seedlings do not require any special care. It's all about providing heat, light and watering.

Temperature and lighting

If you place the seedlings on a windowsill on the south side, then the April sun is quite enough for its needs, but the air temperature should be at least 22°C. If there is still little lighting, you need to provide the seedlings with additional light.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering for seedlings needs moderate. You shouldn’t get carried away with feeding either, but you shouldn’t ignore them either. After picking the seedlings, about a week later, you need to feed the Dahlia with fertilizer containing nitrogen and potassium. After 7-10 days, fertilizing should be repeated. Then you need to add fertilizers containing calcium and magnesium.

Important! Tall varieties of dahlias are initially fed only with nitrogenous fertilizers, and then with complex fertilizers.