Ever since the appearance of dahlias in Europe in the 18th century, these flowers created a real sensation and enjoyed extraordinary popularity among the nobility and royalty. Giant flowers are known that grow up to 3-4 meters in height. Well, the dahlia Figaro does not pretend to be such a significant size. However, this flower is able to decorate any flower bed, courtyard or even a small patio with the richness of its colors.
Characteristics of Dahlia Figaro
Figaro dahlias are usually classified as ordinary annual flowers, the seeds of which are sown in the spring as seedlings or directly in the ground. And they delight most of the summer with their lush and non-stop flowering. But few people know that, if desired, the tubers of the Figaro variety formed during the warm season can be preserved, just like the tubers of the popular perennial dahlias. In order to plant them in the ground again next year and ensure an even earlier fireworks of colors.
Each dahlia figaro plant forms a fairly compact bush with an almost perfect spherical shape. That is, it reaches a maximum height of 30-35 cm, and the dahlia grows in width by about the same amount.
The inflorescences of the dahlia Figaro can be double or semi-double, depending on the varietal variety. The size of the inflorescences of the dahlia Figaro also varies from 6 to 10 cm. The color range is quite standard: from white, yellow, to burgundy and purple.
Inflorescences can appear on plants starting in July and as long as weather conditions allow. At temperatures below 0 °C, the Figaro dahlia dies.
Attention! If you dig up the resulting tubers before frost and store them in a frost-free room, and next spring plant them in pots for growing, then inflorescences can form as early as the end of May or June.
The dahlia figaro variety is distinguished by the fact that many inflorescences (up to 12-15 pieces) can form simultaneously on one bush. Of course, provided that a suitable sunny, relatively warm place has been chosen for the dahlia. In shady conditions, flowering will not be nearly as abundant.
Collection of seed material
Do not forget that an annual plant will not grow in this place next year without seeds. That is why it is necessary to take measures to collect them. To do this, it is recommended to choose the most developed and strong inflorescences on the bush. Tag them. It will take about a month and a half for the seeds to ripen. Collecting seeds will allow you to keep this type of dahlia in your collection. However, you need to know that second-generation flowers may have some differences in color. Complete identity of this trait can be achieved only with the help of tubers.
After waiting for the marked inflorescences to dry, they can be picked. Moreover, it is recommended to collect seeds of the same variety of dahlias from different bushes. To ensure complete drying, the inflorescences must be gutted. After a few days, you can select the seeds. They must have a healthy appearance. Damaged seeds are unlikely to grow into a good plant.
Important! Collect seeds for two years. Even if next year for some reason the flowers do not grow, you will still have a supply of the necessary seeds.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The dahlia Figaro has many advantages that allow it to become a real decoration of the garden and local area.
- Early flowering, even when sown from seeds, the first flowers can appear as early as July.
- Unpretentiousness of plants. Dahlias do not require very fertile soil and do not require particularly careful care.
- Flowering is abundant, long lasting and very colorful.
- Dahlia figaro is a wonderful honey plant. By placing flowers close to the vegetable garden, the vegetable yield can be increased due to additional pollination.
- The compactness of the dahlia figaro bushes allows it to be planted not only in flower beds and mixborders on the site, but also in flowerpots in the yard and in pots on balconies and terraces.
There are practically no disadvantages of this dahlia variety. Although for some it may be the short stature of the plants that is a disadvantage.
Growing dahlias from seeds
Dahlia Figaro is an annual variety. Figaro dahlias and their cultivation from seeds is carried out by gardeners when cultivating the plant. In autumn, seed material is collected and processed. Proper storage is required. In spring, planting is done in a pot and then transferred to flower beds. Seedlings require good drainage. The base of the soil consists of a mixture of peat and humus. A little sand and wood ash are added.
The plant needs to be fed. For this you can use Kemira Lux. This is done once a month.
Varieties of dahlia Figaro
Dahlia Figaro has many varieties. Thus, if you really want to, you can not just decorate the area with a scattering of various color spots. You can create entire compositions strictly in one color scheme or another.
Figaro mix
This variety, by its very name, speaks of the possibility of planting a variegated flower bed of dahlias of a wide variety of shades without any problems.
The inflorescences are not too large, about 6-8 cm in diameter, but they are entirely double and are distinguished by bright and rich color shades: lilac, carmine, pink, lemon, white, purple. Dahlia Figaro mix flowers are ideal for planting along the front edge of borders, as well as for creating bright spots in the lawn, flower beds or flowerpots.
Figaro Violet Shades
The variety series of these dahlias is distinguished by a more or less saturated purple hue of semi-double inflorescences. The petals usually come in two rows, with the color becoming more intense in the center of each row. And the central part of the flower itself is decorated with a fluffy pompom in a sunny shade.
Inflorescences can reach a diameter of 10 cm and are formed quite early, even before mid-summer. Flowering can continue until September or beyond, depending on the weather conditions of the region in which the plants are planted.
Figaro Yellow Shades
Dahlias of this variety can be called little suns. Because pure yellow flowers, without a single foreign inclusion, adorn low bushes from late June to September. The inflorescences are quite dense and lush, and there are so many of them that often the greenery is not noticeable behind the flowers.
The variety is very unpretentious and in more southern regions it can even be propagated by direct sowing in the ground in May. In case of possible frosts, young plants are covered with non-woven material on temporary supports.
Figaro White Shades
This type of dahlia figaro does not have the largest inflorescences. Usually they reach a diameter of only 7-8 cm. But their relatively small inflorescence size is more than made up for by their fluffy terry. Exquisite petals of a soft white hue are replaced by a bright yellow center, noticeable even from afar. Against the background of a thick and rich herbal shade of greenery, the flowers look very attractive and create a festive mood.
The bushes are small in height, up to 35 cm, like all other dahlias of this variety.
Figaro Red Shades
This variety of dahlia has a lush yellow core that stands out brightly against the background of the scarlet or carmine-red hue of the petals. It not only contrasts interestingly with the petals, but also creates a peculiar light reflection on the petals over the entire surface of the inflorescences.
In general, dahlias of this variety look very bright and formal, and can decorate the entrance to a house or property. In all other respects, these dahlias do not differ much from other varieties; flowering is quite early and long-lasting. Due to their small size, the bushes themselves should be planted in the foreground so as not to be obscured by other, larger flowers.
Varieties with names and photos
Let's take a closer look at the most popular varieties of dahlia "Figaro".
"Figaro red shades"
Such dahlias will become the real “star” of your site, because it blooms with large, lush and double bright red flowers. Moreover, this color is heterogeneous and has a slight gradient - the middle of the flower is painted in more saturated colors, and towards the edges the color becomes softer and lighter.
This variety is quite low in its botanical characteristics. It is often planted at the entrance to a garden or vegetable garden.
"Figaro yellow"
This variety is considered one of the most unpretentious in the Figaro dahlia line. The color of the flowers varies between different shades of yellow: from light to rich lemon. If you follow all the recommendations for the care and maintenance of the bush, the plant will bloom all summer.
It is important to note that at the time of planting and for some time, the seedlings need to be covered.
"Figaro Violet"
Like other types of plants, this flower got its name due to its bright and unusual colors. So, such a bush will immediately attract your eye, because its flowers have a distinct purple color with a slight crimson tint. In terms of volume, the flowers are quite lush and large in size.
It is important to note that when planting and breeding this variety, you should take into account that it is light-loving, so it should be planted in sunny areas of your garden. If we talk about the composition and structure of the soil, then it must necessarily have a sufficient degree of looseness, and also contain a large amount of nutrients.
"Figaro orange"
The dahlia inflorescences of this variety have a pronounced orange color. At the same time, up to 15 lush flowers can be observed on one bush. The flowering period, like the other varieties described above, occurs in the warm summer season. The shrub is an annual.
There is also a hybrid “Figaro mix”, which can be painted in almost all colors of the rainbow.
Growing dahlia Figaro seedlings
Almost all varieties of dahlias, and Figaro is no exception, have a fairly long growing season. Therefore, for earlier flowering, in most regions of Russia it is customary to grow dahlias using seedlings. Growing dahlia seedlings is becoming especially important in the Urals, Siberia and other regions of Russia, which have a rather short summer.
Seed selection and preparation
Dahlia Figaro seeds can be harvested yourself at the end of the season by collecting dried inflorescences. Heads with fully mature seeds are usually dark beige in color. They must be carefully cut in dry and warm weather and placed in a paper envelope. They can be stored in it all winter at room temperature. A few days before sowing, the heads of the inflorescences are pulled out and the dark oblong seeds are manually separated from the plant husk.
True, in this case there is no guarantee that plants grown from seeds will exactly reproduce the maternal properties. If you don’t have your own seeds or want to plant your flower beds with dahlias of certain color shades, you should purchase them in advance in special stores, on the market or online.
If you are confident in the freshness of the purchased seeds, then they do not require any special preparation for sowing. If you want to once again protect yourself from possible diseases and increase germination, then you can soak dahlia seeds for a day in a warm solution of any immunostimulant: Epin, Zircon, aloe juice and others.
Important! Then the seeds are slightly dried and sown in prepared containers.
Soil preparation
Dahlias are not too fussy about soil. They will grow and bloom beautifully on any soil, except one that is too poor or, conversely, too fat. But for better seed germination, it is better to prepare a light and breathable substrate for sowing. Almost any ready-made soil mixture for seedlings will do. Or you can create it yourself by mixing peat, humus, garden soil and sand in equal proportions. A handful of wood ash is usually added to 10 liters of this mixture.
Advice! A day before sowing, the prepared soil mixture is spilled with a pink solution of potassium permanganate to free it from possible infections in the soil.
Sowing rules
The best time to start growing dahlia figaro seedlings is the end of March or the beginning of April.
- You can prepare any containers for sowing; plastic containers are best because they retain moisture well.
- There must be drainage holes at the bottom of the containers, otherwise with further care it is easy to flood and destroy the young plants.
- The containers are covered with earth, the surface is leveled and, using a match or stick, grooves are made, about 1 cm deep. The distance between the grooves should be at least 3 cm.
- Dahlia seeds are placed in the grooves at approximately the same distance and lightly sprinkled with the same soil.
- The container is covered with plastic film to maintain the required humidity and placed in a place with a temperature of + 23-25 ° C.
- Germination of dahlia figaro seeds can last from 7 to 14 days. Several times during this time, the crops must be opened and ventilated to prevent mold from appearing.
Seedling care
Immediately after emergence, containers with dahlia seedlings must be placed in the brightest place: on a sunny windowsill or under a special lamp with bright artificial light. Lack of lighting causes dahlia stems to stretch and thin. This can cause weakening or even death of flowers at an early stage of development.
- The film cover is gradually removed over several days.
- When the seedlings have 2 or 3 true leaves, the plants will need to be transplanted into separate pots or large planting boxes.
- When transplanting, young dahlias can be deepened to the first leaves (cotyledons). Also, after transplanting, the flowers are watered moderately.
- Further care of dahlia seedlings does not require any special actions. Plants only need light and moderate watering.
- 10-12 days after transplanting, the seedlings can be fed with a complex fertilizer for flowering plants diluted twice.
- To create a lush and voluminous bush, it is recommended to pinch dahlia plants after the formation of the fourth leaf.
Features of cultivation
Growing dahlia figaro does not seem difficult. The plant is unpretentious, so in many regions it can be planted with seeds directly into open ground. In areas with a sharp difference between day and night temperatures, as well as the possibility of frost, it is better to use seedlings.
Selection of seeds for planting
Growing dahlia Figaro from seeds is not a difficult task. If the grower does not have collected seed material, it is better to purchase it from a specialized store. Here you will select the most suitable variety. Don't stop at just one variety. To get a bright and beautiful flower bed, you need to sow seeds of various varieties.
Many flower lovers prepare their seeds in advance. To do this, just collect dried dahlia heads in the fall and lightly dry them. This material is stored all winter in paper bags.
Advice! When collecting seeds, it is not necessary to sort them by color or variety, since the likelihood that the new dahlia will be exactly like the progenitor is minimal.
Sowing time
If the dahlia figaro is grown as seedlings, then the best time to plant the seeds is the end of March or the beginning of April. For planting in open ground, the optimal period is the end of May - the beginning of June, provided that the nights have become very warm.
Selecting a location
The choice of site for a flower bed must be taken responsibly. It will be difficult to grow bright, lush plants in the wrong place. Georgina Figaro loves open spaces that are well lit by the sun.
At the same time, the dahlia is afraid of strong drafts or cold winds. Therefore, the flowerbed must be protected by a fence or wall of the house. The flower should not be in the shade of trees or other plants, otherwise it will not bloom lushly.
Transplanting seedlings into open ground
Dahlia figaro seedlings are usually planted in flower beds or mixborders at the end of May or June. There should no longer be any return frosts outside at this time. As a last resort, young plants can be covered with protective material on arches or other supports.
A place for further growth of dahlia figaro of any variety must be selected that is sunny, without the slightest shading. Only in such conditions will they be able to show all the brightness and abundance of their flowering. If strong winds are common in the region, then it is advisable that the dahlia planting site be protected from them and drafts by a wall or fence.
If it is possible to gradually acclimate the seedlings to outdoor conditions, this will be good. Usually the plants are taken out to the balcony or directly outside and left there for several hours. Gradually, the time of stay is increased and they are brought into the house only for the night.
Advice! Before transplanting to a permanent location, the seedlings are watered abundantly so that they come out of the planting containers well.
When planting, young dahlia plants can be slightly deeper into the ground, especially if they have become excessively elongated due to lack of lighting. The distance between plants is about 20-25 cm.
Landing in the ground
Transplantation into open ground should be carried out only in warm weather, but there should be no aggressive sunlight to avoid burns on the plant.
Seedlings are planted in open ground in early June, when the threat of frost has passed, according to the 20*25cm pattern.
Planting should be done in the spring, or more precisely at the end of May. It is worth considering that the size of the hole must correspond to the size of the plant’s root system. Usually a hole is dug about 50 centimeters deep and 45 centimeters wide.
Before planting the plant, a mixture of soil mixed with compost or humus should be placed at the bottom of the hole. Then you need to pour a little soil and form a mound. It is in this mound that the dahlia root system is installed and sprinkled with soil. After planting, you need to water the dahlia well and mulch it.
For mulching, you can use peat, sawdust, hay, compost or just soil. It is necessary to lay out a layer of mulch about 5-6 centimeters in height.
Caring for dahlia Figaro in open ground
Dahlia Figaro flowers do not require any special care. As the soil dries out, they, like any other plants, need moderate watering. Until young plants take root well and produce several new leaves, there is no need to feed them. Typically, the next feeding period occurs approximately 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in the ground.
Before flowering, dahlias can be fed two more times during the season. You can use both organic and mineral fertilizers, with a predominant content of phosphorus, potassium and microelements.
If you regularly remove the heads of faded inflorescences, new ones will appear more uniformly and in greater numbers.
A little history
There is a beautiful legend about the origin of dahlias. During a severe cold snap, the fires, kept alive by people with the last of their strength, went out. In place of the last ashes, a flower with petals resembling flames grew. The plant helped people survive difficult times, and remained an eternal symbol of the desire for life.
According to scientific facts, Central and South America are considered the birthplace of dahlias. In their warm homeland, the plants were real giants - reaching up to 6 m in height.
Attention! Dahlia tubers were considered edible (this does not apply to garden crops!).
Flowers were brought to Europe in the 18th century and quickly spread throughout Europe.
Reviews of Dahlia Figaro
Natalya Moshkina, 29 years old, Serpukhov
I was always confused by dahlias because of their huge size and the fact that they needed to be tied up. And the Figaro variety is so small and compact that the flowers grow on their own and require virtually no additional care other than watering. And how bright and beautiful they are.
Larisa Gracheva, 49 years old, Saransk
For me, dahlias, like gladioli, are always most associated with the end of summer and September 1, when beautiful bouquets were made from them. But the flowers of this variety of dahlias bloom in the beds already in July and this is very pleasant. Because you can admire the rich colors of these beauties throughout the second half of summer. And then bring several pots onto the terrace and thereby extend the life of the dahlias for another month or two.
Reviews
The fact that this variety is very popular is evidenced by numerous positive reviews.
Natalia Lytkina writes: “My favorite variety. I purchased flowers in yellow and orange colors. The plant is lush. There are many flowers on one bush. But the seeds could not be collected. I'll have to order again."
Marina from the city of Orel writes: “As a child, I often visited my grandmother, and my memories are connected specifically with dahlias. Grandma always raised them by September 1st. She made a gorgeous bouquet, and always included dahlias in the centerpiece. A very beautiful flower."
Description of the variety and characteristics
Little Figaro is a low-growing species of dahlia grown from seeds in one year. These days, such dahlias have become very popular, and all thanks to the large number of new varieties with incredibly beautiful inflorescences of various colors.
The Figaro variety series includes several varieties that differ not only in color, but also in the size of the flowers and the degree of terry. General features of the series:
- early dates of flowering;
- compactness of bushes;
- plant height – no more than 30-35 cm;
- a large number of inflorescences on the bush;
- large diameters of flowers - 8-10 cm.
The dahlia blooms early and pleases with its beauty until autumn. The color of the buds is varied, from snow-white to purple and bright yellow. Figaro flowers can be monochromatic, as well as with a combined palette of shades - the petals are purple or white, the center is yellow. The flowers are double or semi-double, bright and very elegant.
The variety is unpretentious to care and can bloom until frost. These dahlias are ideal for borders and are beautiful in group plantings. Figaro is also used for growing in pots and containers, creating compositions of magnificent beauty.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Dahlias - “babies”, which include Figaro, have a number of advantages over their tall counterparts:
- Easy to care for.
- Early and very long flowering (they bloom at the end of June and produce buds until autumn).
- Variety of colors and flower shapes.
- Possibility to do without supports, pinching, pinching.
- Compact sizes.
For those who are just taking their first steps in the difficult business of growing dahlias, you can start with varieties such as Figaro. It is easier to grow luxurious flowers from seeds, and after acquiring the skills, you can move on to more capricious and complex varieties in agricultural technology.
Conveniently, if you wish, you can always collect your seeds from plants in the fall and use them for planting next year. There is no need to fuss with dahlia tubers, arrange them for winter storage, check them, everything is much simpler and easier. But at the same time, Figaro has very lush flowering and is not inferior to the most elegant perennial varieties of dahlias.
ON A NOTE! If you want to have dahlias of different colors, you can purchase seeds of a mixture of Figaro varieties.
Another plus is that Figaros are great for growing in pots and various containers that can be placed on a balcony, veranda or loggia.
Figaro dahlias have no drawbacks as such. The variety will definitely thank you for your care and will delight everyone who loves and appreciates this flower.
