Dahlias: planting and care in open ground, description of the 10 most beautiful varieties (100 Photos & Videos) + Reviews

Dahlias are flowers native to Mexico. Nowadays they can often be found in summer cottages. Due to the variety of shapes and bright colors, dahlias are especially popular among gardeners. A large selection of species and varieties provides gardeners with the opportunity to choose them to suit any design. Dahlias that bloom for a long time can decorate any flowerbed, and even a flowerpot, and look luxurious at the same time.

In this article we will look at the main types and varieties of dahlias, we will look at how to prepare planting material, as well as the place and soil for planting, and of course the basic rules for caring for these flowers.

Peculiarities

Large-flowered variety Myrtle's Folly

Dahlias are a genus of herbaceous plants in the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family. Under natural conditions, these perennials grow in the mountainous regions of Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala.

Dahlias are characterized by long and lush flowering. Almost the entire color palette is present in the color of the inflorescences, with the exception of blue and light blue shades.

Dahlias blooming

Dahlias are perennials that do not overwinter in open ground.

Every year, the above-ground part of these plants with hollow stems and feathery leaves dies. The underground part consists of large cone-shaped tubers connected to the root collar, on which vegetative buds are located.

These buds are absent on the tubers themselves, so the death of the neck leads to the death of the entire plant. For the winter, the tubers need to be dug out of the ground and stored indoors.

Grouping varieties according to cultivation purposes and agricultural technology

Depending on the growing methods and requirements for care, the following groups of dahlias can be distinguished:

• perennials and for one season;
• light-loving and tolerant of partial shade;
• requiring garter and stable.

You can grow the variety you like from seeds or tubers. Read more about the advantages of one and the other methods in the article “How to choose high-quality dahlia planting material.”

Varieties of annual dahlias bloom earlier and more intensely than perennials. They are unpretentious and do not create problems with storing tubers for the winter. But if you don’t like messing around with seedlings, we’ll tell you how to grow varieties of annual dahlias as perennials . To do this, the root, which has not had time to acquire nodules, is dug up in the fall with a clod of earth, dried and stored in the basement in a wooden box. The overwintered root system is planted in the garden in May.

IN THE PHOTO: Annual dahlias do not have time to form tubers, but the roots of annuals, if properly stored, are quite suitable for planting next year.

Perennials reach full bloom only in the second or even third year. To speed up the process of growing up, you should carefully study the question of how to care for dahlias.

Short description

Dahlias

1. Location . Dahlias are heat-loving plants. They grow well in sunny areas, protected from cold winds, with good air circulation. Low and wetlands are not suitable for planting dahlias in open ground.
2. Illumination . The area should be well lit during the day for at least 6 hours
3. Watering . It is necessary to water abundantly, but the soil should not be waterlogged. Dahlias do not tolerate either stagnant moisture or drought.
4. Feeding . Organic or mineral fertilizers are applied 1-2 times a month
5. Soil . Any soil is suitable for dahlias, but the best option is rich garden loam enriched with humus. Fertilized sandy soil is also suitable.
6. Reproduction . By dividing tubers, cuttings, grafting or seeds
7. Bloom . For different varieties - from July to late autumn
8. Pests . Aphids, slugs, earwigs, caterpillars, thrips, horse flies, cutworms
9. Diseases . Mold, fungal diseases, viral mosaic, powdery mildew, fusarium, gray mold, leaf spot
10. Appearance care . It is necessary to remove faded flowers, stepsons and fading lower leaves
11. Usage. Dahlias are used to create borders, flower beds and flower arrangements. Most varieties are used in free compositions and group plantings in flower beds. Dwarf varieties can be grown in pots and containers. Plants with long and strong flower stems are ideal for cutting

The use of dahlias in garden design

To decorate the edges of flower beds, miniature plants are planted. Border dahlias 'Berliner Cleene' with delicate pink flowers are used to create floral designs along sidewalks. For contrast, take salmon-colored 'Margareth Cleene' and light plum 'Blusette'. Border dahlias 'Gallery' are a mixture of seeds from plants in rich and pastel colors.

Low growing varieties with large flowers, such as cactus dahlias , are often grown in containers or as a potted plant.

Where to plant tall varieties? They look great as a single bush. They are often planted in a group in a sunny place along a continuous fence that protects from sharp gusts of wind. IN THE PHOTO: A hedge of tall dahlias as a way to design a garden path.

It is recommended to grow varieties for cutting, the buds of which remain fresh in a vase for at least a week.

Reproduction

Flower garden with dahlias

Dahlias are propagated by dividing tubers, cuttings, grafting (rarely) or seeds. The peculiarity of these perennials is that with any of the propagation methods, the plants bloom in the first year.

When propagated by seed, the inflorescences of most new plants are of poor quality. During vegetative propagation, all qualities are transferred from the mother plants, so let’s take a closer look at these methods.

Tuber division

Healthy tubers

The division of tubers is carried out after their preliminary germination, shortly before planting in open ground. To germinate, they are transferred from storage to a warm, bright room, for example, in a greenhouse, and boxes are used that are filled with sawdust with a layer of 5-6 cm. Tubers are laid out on them, covered with sawdust up to the root collar and regularly watered with warm water.

The air temperature must be maintained within 16-20 degrees.

For propagation, well-developed young tubers without signs of infection with viral, fungal and bacterial diseases are used.

As soon as the buds wake up and sprout, the tubers need to be removed from the sawdust and divided into parts. They do it as follows.

Using a sharp garden knife, cut the root collar lengthwise so that each separated part has tubers and at least two or three eyes. The sections are sprinkled with charcoal powder, crushed sulfur or treated with brilliant green.

Bush with awakened buds

Depending on the size and number of awakened eyes, each bush can be cut into 3-6 parts.

The separated tubers are kept for 2-3 days, and then placed again in sawdust for further germination or, if the time has come for planting dahlias in the spring, they are planted in open ground. As a rule, dahlia tubers are sprouted in April, less often in March.

Dividing the bush

You can start germinating dahlias in March in boxes, pots or containers; such plants have time to set buds before they are planted in the ground. Plants must be replanted from pots carefully so as not to destroy the earthen ball.

Cuttings

Cuttings are cut with a sharp knife

This is the most productive method of propagating dahlias. The healthiest and most viable queen cells are selected for cuttings. With this method, the tubers begin to pre-germinate in February. Before the eyes awaken and shoots 1-2 cm long develop, plants can be kept in limited light conditions at an air temperature of 20-25 °C.

For further growth of shoots, plants require maximum illumination and a decrease in air temperature to 12-15 °C. At this time, watering of the queen cells is stopped, and frequent moderate spraying is carried out instead. This reduces the growth rate of shoots and prevents them from stretching.

When the sprouts reach 5-7 cm and form 2-3 pairs of leaves, they are carefully broken off or cut with a knife. Dense shoots with shortened internodes take root faster and better. Plants that develop from such cuttings begin to form high-quality tubers at an earlier date.

Cuttings with the so-called “heel” take root best, that is, cut so that on each there remains a piece of the root collar with a sprout. Cuttings without a “heel” root slowly and form inferior tubers - long and thin. In winter, such tubers may die.

Cutting separated from the mother plant

In place of the cut sprouts, new ones soon grow, but they are less suitable for reproduction. Therefore, as a rule, no more than 2-3 cuttings are taken from one place. For rooting, cuttings are planted in cups or boxes filled with a 7-8 cm layer of ordinary garden soil, on top of which a 2-3 cm layer of well-washed coarse sand is poured.

Planting a cutting

Before planting dahlia cuttings in boxes, water the soil generously with warm water. The cuttings are planted to a depth of 2-3 cm, making a distance between them of 5 cm. Plantings should not be thickened, as this leads to plant loss. The seedlings are sprayed with water, the boxes are covered with glass or film and shaded with white paper from direct sunlight. However, it should be remembered that sufficient light intensity is needed for root formation.

When planting cuttings, do not forget to sign the name of the variety

In addition to varietal characteristics, the rate of formation of the root system depends on the timing of cuttings. When cutting in January-February, 25-30 days are needed for rooting, when cutting in March - 15-20 days, and in April - 6-8 days.

The soil temperature for the first 7-10 days should be maintained within 20-22 °C, and the air temperature should be 17-19 °C. After 7-10 days, the paper is removed from the glass. For 5-7 days, the boxes are regularly ventilated by moving the glass, and then it is removed completely. Drafts should be avoided. After 10 days, the substrate temperature is reduced to 17-18 °C, and the air temperature to 14-15 °C. This will avoid creating imbalances in the development of roots or vegetative mass.

Dahlia cuttings in cups

Rooted cuttings are transplanted into pots or cups with a diameter of 9 centimeters. After picking into small containers, young plants form round compact tubers. If the plants are left in boxes until planted in the ground, the tubers will be of poor quality - long and thin.

For rooting, you can also use perlite with a granule size of 3-5 mm. It provides sufficient moisture and air supply necessary for the rapid development of roots. In addition, perlite creates sterile conditions under which cuttings are less susceptible to fungal diseases.

When cuttings in late April - early May, it is better to use a mixture of perlite with well-weathered peat as a substrate. For every part of perlite add 2-3 parts of peat. This contributes to less damage to young roots when transplanting cuttings. This substrate is leveled, lightly compacted and moistened with water.

A young plant transplanted into open ground

It is better to immediately plant the largest cuttings of January and February harvesting dates in pots half filled with fertile soil and with sand on top. In pots, such cuttings take root better and subsequently the plants develop well. Delenki are planted in open ground when the threat of return frosts has passed.

Varieties with photos

There is a generally accepted classification of dahlias depending on their appearance and characteristics. There are also spectacular hybrids developed through selective breeding. Among the varieties of annual dahlias, several groups are distinguished:

• simple (single-row) - plants with a fully open flower, petals arranged in one row, and a bright core;
• peony - semi-double varieties with several rows of petals;
• anemone-shaped - consist of 2-3 rows of double petals, reminiscent of anemones;
• Votornichkovye - have two rows of petals, the lower of which is longer and the upper is short, can be of contrasting shades;
• spherical - distinguished by the unusual round shape of the flower, in which there are a large number of rows of petals;
• nymphea - resemble lotuses, double flowers, regular shape;
• pompons - also shaped like a ball, but slightly flattened on both sides;
• cactus - their petals are long, collected in tubes and resemble needles;
• semi-cactus - petals are folded in half;
• decorative (the most common group) - inflorescences contain a large number of petals, wide and slightly bent at the core;
• chrysanthemum-shaped - have an external resemblance to chrysanthemums, the petals are wrapped in tubes.

Georgina Mignon

This is a low (up to 40 cm) but very impressive plant. Its shoots are highly branched, and from mid-summer large inflorescences (up to 8-9 cm in diameter) begin to appear on them. The flowers are simple, with one row of wide, regularly shaped petals and a contrasting core. There are white, red, pink, yellow Dahlia Mignon available, as well as a mixture of different colored seeds. This variety is one of the most popular for decorating flower beds and home gardens, as it is distinguished by its bright, abundant flowering and unpretentiousness to growing conditions.

Georgina Piccolo

It is a medium-sized variety and can reach up to 50 cm in height. The inflorescences of this variety are also simple, and the petals are large, wide and colorful. Flowers look especially impressive in flowerpots on terraces and open balconies.

Dahlia Piccolo-Mignon

This is a mixture of seeds of two varieties, which perfectly complement each other in flower arrangements. It is in this form that these plants can be found on sale. They are represented by dwarf annual dahlias up to 35-50 cm high, which take root well in any conditions.

Dahlia collared Dandy

A tall plant with straight, strong stems. The variety looks great both in individual plantings and in group flower arrays. Its difference from other varieties lies in the unusual shape of the inflorescence: they contain collars - individual petals, twisted and directed downwards. On sale you can find a multi-colored mixture of dahlia Dandy, which consists of seeds of multi-colored flowers.

Georgina Colaretta Dandy

An ornamental plant up to 60 cm high. In mid-summer, inflorescences 8-9 cm in diameter appear on it, and the flowering period lasts until the first frost. It is sold in the form of dahlia seeds Colarette Dandy (mix). They grow in many colors and belong to the group of collared varieties.

Decorative dahlia

This is a mixture of seeds of annual plants, which consists of different varieties. This mix contains large flowers 100-120 cm high. Their flowering period coincides and lasts from mid-summer until cold weather.

Georgina Figaro

This is a low-growing variety (up to 35 cm in height) with voluminous inflorescences that reach up to 7-10 cm in diameter. Petals can be colored in red, pink, yellow, orange and combinations thereof. The flowers are monochromatic and look unusually large compared to dwarf double dahlias.

Dahlia Bambino (terry mixture)

Bright flowers for decorating flower beds and lawns, as well as for creating spectacular living borders. Compared to particularly low-growing bushes (up to 25 cm), the inflorescences look very large (up to 10 cm in diameter). These are annual double dahlias, popular both in single plantings and in complex arrays.

Dahlia Bride

Annual up to 50 cm high. Plants are suitable for growing in open ground, as well as in flowerpots. Bride is the common name for several varieties that differ in color and petal shape. They can be monochromatic or combine several shades.

Dahlia terry Opera

These are compact ornamental bushes up to 35 cm high. They are distinguished by very bright and abundant flowering. A large number of double inflorescences up to 7-10 cm in diameter can form on one plant. They differ in the shade of the petals, so you can find a mixture of Dahlia Opera on sale.

Dahlia variable

This is a mixture of varieties that are selected for planting in open ground. These are very decorative bushes, unpretentious to conditions and climate. On sale you can find a mix of pompom, cactus and other dahlias. Their flowering period coincides, and the buds do not stop blooming from July until early autumn.

Dahlia Lark

This is a compact variety up to 60 cm in height. Their inflorescences are voluminous, double, pompom or semi-cactus, and have an intense aroma. They reach 8-9 cm in diameter and are available in white, yellow, pink or red.

Variety Rainbow

These are medium-sized bushes (up to 60 cm), which bloom profusely from mid-summer until the first frost. Their inflorescences are simple, consisting of one or more rows of petals and a contrasting core. They can be painted in any colors and shades, often monochromatic. Plants are suitable for growing in open ground, pots and flowerpots.

Georgina Avignon

These are large plants (up to 90 cm in height), popular for decorating home areas and for cutting. They are distinguished by the unusual shape and color of the petals. The inflorescences are voluminous, up to 15 cm in diameter, white with bright purple thin stripes. Their stems are strong and their petals do not fall off for a long time, so they can be added to bouquets as a central element.

Dahlia Gudoshnik

A tall ornamental plant (up to 1 m) with large voluminous flowers (up to 15 cm in diameter). The petals are wrapped in tubes, arranged in several rows and resemble needles. The variety has an unusual color: the flowers are yellow at the core, forming a smooth gradient to red.

Georgina Valentine

This is a spectacular plant for decorating flower beds and living borders. The bushes do not exceed 35 cm in height, but they form voluminous inflorescences up to 10-12 cm in diameter. The flowers are round in shape, slightly flattened, and the petals are even and wide. The main feature of this variety is its bright red color, which will highlight it in any flower arrangement.

Variety Vasilisa

One of the most compact varieties of dahlias. The bushes rarely reach more than 15 cm in height, so they are especially popular for growing in pots. In mid-summer, double flowers with several rows of petals bloom on them. They are monochromatic and can be painted in white, purple, yellow, red or pink shades with a contrasting middle.

Variety Monarch

This is a combination of bright colors. Bushes up to 50-60 cm in height, lush, with a large number of peduncles. In mid-summer, large semi-double flowers (up to 10-12 in diameter) appear on them. On sale you can often find a mix of dahlias of this variety, painted in different shades. This combination looks great both in open ground and in pots.

Dahlia Pharaoh

Belongs to dwarf varieties. An adult bush reaches up to 35 cm in height, but flowers up to 6-8 cm in diameter are formed in large numbers. They can be terry, semi-double, painted in different colors and shades. Up to 10-15 buds can bloom on one plant at the same time.

Variety Dana

These are decorative or cactus dahlias. They are particularly large in size (an adult bush reaches up to 100-110 cm), and individual inflorescences grow up to 25 cm in diameter. The petals are collected in thin tubes and have an unusual color. At the core they are yellow, and towards the edges they gradually turn into a rich red hue. The stems of this variety are strong and straight, so dahlias are often used for cutting and creating bouquets.

Georgina Nurdviks Gloria

The description and history of this variety begins in the Netherlands in 1969. The bushes are tall (up to 110 cm), with strong stems, so they are popular for cutting. The inflorescences are double, large (up to 15 cm in diameter), and do not fall off for a long time. The petals are collected in tubes and painted in a pastel peach shade. Due to their unusual spherical shape and spectacular color, these flowers can occupy a central position in any group planting or bouquet.

Dahlia Little Tiger (Tiger Cub)

This is a bright and unusual plant for growing in open ground. The bushes grow up to 40-50 cm, their stems are strong and do not require support. From mid-summer, double flowers (up to 10 cm in diameter) begin to appear on them and last until the beginning of autumn. Their main feature is the unusual color of the petals. They are rich red, with contrasting white splashes.

When purchasing plants, you should pay attention not only to their image, but also to the care requirements. Thus, the dahlia Mountain Stream in the photo looks very bright and impressive, like many other varieties. However, flowering will be abundant only if the bushes are grown in sufficient light and watered regularly. These flowers are resistant to temperature changes in the warm season, to diseases and pests, but can also suffer from drought or in wetlands.

The optimal conditions for growing decorative dahlias are a sunny area, reliably protected from the wind. Neutral or slightly acidic soil that is nutritious but well-drained is also suitable. Do not allow moisture to stagnate.

All annual varieties of dahlias with photos and names can be easily found in online stores. They are sold as seeds for planting in the ground without prior preparation. You can create combinations from them to suit every taste. Bright inflorescences of different shapes and colors are an excellent solution for decorating flower beds or lawns, creating gift and wedding bouquets.

How to plant dahlias in spring: soil preparation

Digging the soil

The soil for planting dahlias is prepared in the fall. It is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm and left in clods until spring.

In early spring, the site is fertilized with well-decomposed humus (2-3 buckets per 1 sq. m.) and compost (1 bucket per 1 sq. m.). Good results are obtained by adding mineral fertilizers for flowering plants to organic matter at the rate of 50-70 g per 1 square meter. m. After applying fertilizer, the area needs to be dug up again and raked.

Decorative

Dahlias of this species have the largest inflorescences - up to 40 cm in diameter. The height of the bush reaches 2 meters.

The Melody Dixie variety is distinguished by flowering until frost.

The “duet” variety is distinguished by lush flowering and resistance to frost.

The Santa Claus variety is very bright, the flowers are large, the height of the bush is up to one and a half meters.

Planting dahlias with tubers

Planting dahlias in the ground

Dahlia tubers are planted in open ground after the threat of spring frosts has passed and the soil has warmed to a depth of 20-25 cm. To prevent the planted plants from freezing, the shoots can be sprinkled with soil, sawdust or covered with cardboard boxes at night.

When placing plants on a site, take into account their height and color of inflorescences. Varieties with dark flowers look impressive next to light varieties.

Pegs next to grown dahlia bushes

Dahlias are planted in such a way that the soil layer above the root collar does not exceed 5-6 cm. Before planting the tubers, pegs are driven into the bottom of the hole. They are needed in order to tie the stems of adult plants to them in the future. The tubers are leaned against the pegs with their root collars, covered with soil and watered with warm water. You can also attach labels with the names of varieties to the stakes.

Regular

These dahlias have a clearly visible center, most often yellow or brown, with petals in one or two rows. The flowers are small, the height of the plant reaches half a meter.

The Dutch hybrid Happy Single Kiss was bred to be disease resistant.

Variety Yellow Hammer - soft yellow, with thin, almost transparent petals.

The “Merry Guys” variety is drought-resistant and can overwinter directly in the ground.

The Mystic Dreamer variety is soft pink with an orange-brown center.

Caring for dahlias

Watering dahlias

Caring for dahlias after planting in open ground during the growing season is as follows:

1. As soon as the shoots reach 30-40 cm, they need to be tied to stakes
2. In order for the stems to be stable and the inflorescences to be large, usually no more than 2-3 shoots are left, and the excess ones should be removed
3. In many varieties, stepsons are formed in the leaf axils. They need to be pinched at the very beginning of development (pinching)
4. Fading lower leaves of plants are cut off
5. The lateral buds of the flowering shoot are also removed.
6. Further care comes down to weed control, loosening the soil, watering and fertilizing
7. It is useful to mulch the soil under dahlias using humus as mulch. In this case, it is enough to water the plants once a week at the rate of one bucket of water per bush
8. After the plants bloom, the watering rate should be increased.
9. Feeding is a necessary part of caring for dahlias after planting. The first feeding of plants is given a month after planting in the ground. It is especially needed during budding. Dahlias should be fed with organic or mineral fertilizers 1-2 times a month.
10. In autumn, it is recommended to protect dahlias from the first frosts with a smoke screen. Thanks to this technique, the plants will continue to bloom until the end of October.
11. Dahlias are demanding on soil and air moisture. The soil must be constantly kept moist, avoiding drying out and waterlogging.
12. On a hot summer day, moisturizing watering is carried out using a sprinkler or special nozzles. This allows you to increase the air humidity for a short time
13. At the end of August - beginning of September, the plants are covered with soil to a depth of 12-15 cm. This protects the bases of the stems from possible damage by low temperatures during frosts
14. In varieties with powerful development of the vegetative mass, the lower leaves are plucked off at a level of 30-40 cm. This technique improves air exchange around the plants and prevents the growth of a thick stem at the base of the root collar, which impairs the storage of tubers

Nymphaeal

These dahlias are also called “lotus”. The flowers are double and very large. The height of the bushes is up to 130 cm.

The Fleurel variety loves the sun and needs protection from drafts.

The Silver Years variety is not afraid of cold weather and blooms until frost.

The Bonesta variety is very delicate and does not like drafts and strong winds.

The Le Castel variety is resistant to wintering conditions; the flowers are not large, but there are a lot of them on the bush.

The Brushstrokes variety has bright pink flowers up to 20 cm in diameter.

The Garden Festival variety is very disease resistant, winters well in the ground, and blooms for a long time.

When and how to dig up tubers

In order not to confuse varieties, dahlia tubers need to be labeled

Dahlia tubers are removed from the beds in the fall, after the leaves of the plants turn black from frost. It is better to dig them up in the morning, in dry weather.

Before harvesting, the stems need to be trimmed, leaving about 10-13 cm. When digging up tubers, dahlias should not be held by the remaining part of the stem, so as not to damage the root collar.

The tubers are dug up carefully: on light soils it is better to do this with a pitchfork, and on heavy loamy soils - with a shovel.

The dug up tubers need to be lightly shaken to remove excess soil. They are left in the garden until evening, allowing them to dry. Then, for 7-10 days, the rhizomes are dried in a well-ventilated, dry room. Dried tubers will be stored better.

After drying, the cut stems can be coated with lime solution. This will protect them and the root collar from rotting.

All tubers suspected of having diseases are discarded and destroyed. Damaged, rotten and dead parts are removed. Tubers that received mechanical damage during digging are trimmed and sprinkled with charcoal powder.

Transitional

These dahlias do not have clearly defined characteristics of any particular group. Experts also call them “mixed”.

The Akita variety, although tall, does not require garter.

The Vancouver variety is characterized by long flowering and cold resistance.

Flowers of the Spider Woman variety have long and curled petals, similar to the legs of a spider.

The Rebekka's World variety is distinguished by lush flowering and grows best in a sunny place.

The Procyon variety is very bright and beautiful, the flowers are large, up to 25 cm in diameter.

Storing tubers in winter

Low-growing (border) dahlias

Dahlia tubers are sprinkled with sand and stored in a cool, dry place protected from the cold - for example, in a basement. For storing tubers, the optimal relative air humidity is no higher than 60% and a temperature from 3-5 to 7 °C. The room must be well ventilated to prevent mold from forming.

During the winter, the tubers need to be checked from time to time, the rotten parts should be cut off to healthy tissue, the cuts should be sprinkled with charcoal powder and dried in a warm room for 2-3 days.

Many gardeners complain that in warm basements, dahlia tubers often dry out and die. In this case, they should be stored in slightly damp sand. With this storage method, eyes will sprout. This does not cause any particular harm, and sprouts that have reached 10-15 cm should be removed.

Another method of wet storage is as follows. The dug up tubers are washed with water from a hose, and then immersed for several minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate and stored in damp sand. With this storage method, sprouts will also appear, which must be removed periodically.

When to sprout dahlia tubers

Dahlias: planting and care in open ground, description of the 10 most beautiful varieties (100 Photos & Videos) + Reviews

short

In the video, the florist shows popular varieties of dahlias and talks in detail about the parameters and outstanding characteristics of each flower.

Diseases and pests of dahlias

Dahlias

When growing dahlias, gardeners sometimes encounter problems, the solutions to which we will tell you.

1 Flowers open only partially and lean to one side

The cause of this may be horsefly bugs. Confirmation is provided by black spots under the flowers. It is necessary to spray the plants with a systemic insecticide.

2 The plant appears weak and is growing slowly

This may be due to lack of lighting. If the bushes are growing in containers in shaded areas, place them in a brighter place.

3 Young plants turn yellow

Yellowing of the foliage is possible due to waterlogging. If low-growing dahlias are growing in pots, you should check the drainage holes to avoid stagnant water.

Dahlia leaves have turned yellow

4 A gray coating appeared on the flowers

This is a mold that requires plants to be sprayed with a fungicide.

5 Silvery stripes are visible on the leaves, flowers are damaged

Small insects - thrips - can fly around the plants. To get rid of them, you should spray the plants with an insecticide.

6 The young plant turns yellow, the leaves are pale, but the soil is not waterlogged

Perhaps the plant needs feeding. Apply fertilizer every 10 days. You can shorten the interval between fertilizing, but the concentration of fertilizers should not be increased.

7 Round-shaped damage was found on the leaves, flower buds were eaten away

Plants are damaged by caterpillars. Carefully inspect the bushes, collect insects and destroy them.

The dahlias have turned black

8 Young plants have turned black

Blackening occurs if the bushes have been damaged by frost. In spring, it is imperative to protect dahlias from low temperatures.

9 Small spots appear on young plants, which gradually increase

This develops sooty mold - a fungal disease. Every week you need to spray the plants with Bordeaux mixture from a spray bottle until it is clear.

10 Round-shaped damage and small holes in the petals appear on dahlia leaves.

The plant was damaged by earwigs. It is necessary to treat the soil with a solution of karbofos.

11 Leaves, flowers and buds are eaten away, small holes and traces of mucus are visible on them

Such damage is caused by slugs or snails. It is recommended to place anti-slug preparations around the plants, using them according to the instructions.

Dahlia pests

12 Small insects are visible on shoots, buds and flowers

These pests are aphids. Spray the plants with a solution of karbofos every week until it is clear of aphids.

13 The flowers have drooped

This happens when the soil is too dry. You need to water the plants immediately. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.

Thematic video:

How to plant dahlias / Proper planting of dahlias

Dahlias: planting and care in open ground, description of the 10 most beautiful varieties (100 Photos & Videos) + Reviews

DAHLIA / How to SAVE until spring, how to DIVIDE and how to PLANT correctly

Dahlias: planting and care in open ground, description of the 10 most beautiful varieties (100 Photos & Videos) + Reviews

Reviews from flower growers

VEP

Akita is red with a yellow base. And Rebecca World cannot be identified with one photograph - all the flowers on the bush are different

Source: www.forumhouse.ru

Topolek

I planted Art Deco from dahlias Gelleri in the ground - I really liked it, it bloomed all season from June to November as a large beautiful bush, about 50 cm.

Source: flower.wcb.ru

Varieties

Needle dahlias

The number of varieties is so large that dahlias are divided into groups according to the shape of the flowers. Plants from the “minion” group are varieties with simple flowers.

Among them there are miniature forms with a bush height of less than 30 cm. Peony-shaped and anemone-shaped dahlias, together with collared dahlias, belong to the group of semi-double ones.

Today there are several tens of thousands of varieties of this perennial plant.

Terry dahlias do not have a core - it consists entirely of flower tongues. In cactus (needle-shaped) varieties, these tongues are long and pointed. In spherical, pompom-shaped and nymphal dahlias, the tongues are folded like a spoon and give the flower a neat ball shape.

Collar

The subspecies received its name due to the special arrangement of the flower petals. They are large at the edges and smaller closer to the center, usually of a different color. The height of the bushes reaches 120 cm.

The Impression Fabula variety is distinguished by its short stature. Its height is no more than half a meter. Prefers bright sunny places.

The Collarette Dandy color mixture blooms for a very long time - from the beginning of July to the end of October.

The Night Butterfly variety is two-colored and looks beautiful in bouquets.

The Pooh variety is unpretentious to wintering conditions.

The Jocondo variety has particularly brightly colored flowers.

Formation of a bush of perennial dahlias

To get a beautiful bush of perennial dahlias, it is necessary to periodically carry out care and pruning. The best way to obtain large inflorescences is to trim off excess shoots. You can only leave 3-4. It is imperative to remove faded buds so that they do not interfere with the flowering of others.

Also, the lower shoots of tall dahlia varieties need to be removed. They can later be used as cuttings for planting. Also, all perennial dahlias need support, so they need to be tied up as the flowers grow.

Preparing perennial dahlias for winter storage

Immediately discard tubers that are rotten or have deep passages going inside: you will never guess who might be sitting in the depths of this passage. Discard single tubers without roots. The likelihood that they will grow again is very low. It is better to dig with a pitchfork so as not to accidentally cut them.

Simply pry up the soil with a fork and carefully remove the entire tuber clump. Shake off any soil particles. Trim the stem with leaves (they can be sent to the compost heap). Now the tubers need to be dried in the sun during the day. When dry, shake off the soil again.

You can gently wipe them with your hands. Mark what variety or color the dug up dahlias belong to. For example, tie a string with a plastic or wooden tag to the tubers. The remaining stems of dahlias should be no more than 3 cm so that they do not begin to rot in winter.

A large cardboard box is suitable for storing dahlias. Place the tubers in it at a distance from each other to prevent infection. If any of the tubers begin to rot.

Sprinkle the tubers with peat. If the box allows, you can add another layer of tubers with peat. Instead of peat, you can use sawdust or feed pellets. The medium used should protect the tubers from drying out and excessive moisture.

That's it - the dahlias are ready for winter. They should be stored in a cool place where there is no frost (for example, in a caisson or cellar), but many people also store them in the refrigerator. This type of storage can happen, but you should always understand that modern refrigerators dry out the air and this can affect the bulbs.