Pinching and pinching dahlias are ways to form a bush. Using these techniques, you can grow a lush, abundantly flowering bush or get a plant with one huge flower.
Methods for forming a bush
Topping
Pinching and pinching are used only for tall and medium-sized dahlias. Curb, small-flowered and pompom dahlias They do not require formation; the shape of the bush is determined genetically.
The weather during pinching should be dry; it is advisable to carry out pinching and pinching in the morning after the dew has dried. High humidity promotes the development of pathogenic microflora. Since pinching involves breaking the integrity of the shell, microorganisms easily penetrate inside the plant.
Pinching helps:
- Get early flowering;
- Increase the size of flowers;
- Save the plant strength to form a tuber;
- Increase the decorativeness of the bushes.
Dahlias are pinched to stop the growth of the main stem and stimulate the formation of additional branches. If the bush is left without pinching, the result will be a trunk with three flower stalks at the top. The plant will spend all its vital energy on the growth of the main flower; the remaining buds most likely will not be able to bloom.
After pinching the main stem, the lateral ones begin to develop. Each stem is capable of producing up to three large buds. The central bud blooms first, then the side buds in turn. After pinching, the bush grows spreading, with a large number of flowers.
The main stem is pinched after the fourth pair of leaves appears. The part of the dahlia above the leaves is broken out or cut off with a knife. It is advisable to carry out this procedure as early as possible to preserve the strength of the plant.
When the side branches grow, the procedure can be repeated. The most productive upper branches and lower shoots are not left for flowering. Pinching is carried out after the formation of the second or third pair of leaves, when 3 to 4 lateral branches are formed on the stem, pinching is no longer carried out. All growing shoots must be removed as early as possible.
In addition to pinching the stems, pinching the lower leaves, excess sprouts from the tuber and buds is also used. The lower leaves are cut off for hygienic purposes, the buds are cut off to increase the decorative effect of the flower.
All lower leaves of dahlia bushes are removed to facilitate ventilation of the stems and prevent fungal infections. In this case, the root collar develops correctly, which contributes to better storage of tubers in winter.
Tall dahlias most often form 3 stems.There are significantly more sprouts on the tuber; the excess ones must be removed. They are usually cut as close to the tuber as possible. It is necessary to treat the cut with fungicides.
Excess buds are removed to get one large flower on an even stem. Such flowers are used for cutting, for making bouquets, where the dahlia is the main feature. Large flowers are also important for exhibition specimens.
Stepsoning
Pinching is the removal of shoots growing from each pair of leaves. Leaving all the shoots on the bush will greatly weaken the plant. Flowering will occur much later; most of the buds will not have time to bloom. Tubers of weakened dahlia are poorly stored in winter.
Stepsonning:
- Stimulates flowering;
- Promotes the accumulation of nutrients by the tuber;
- Improves the appearance of the plant.
Stepping is carried out selectively. The top shoots can be left to ensure longer flowering. It must be taken into account that dahlia cannot provide a large number of shoots with nutrients.
The side shoots grow back quite quickly. As a rule, pinching is carried out 3 – 4 times a month, depending on the growth rate.
Having figured out how to properly form dahlias, it is easy to grow a flower suitable for any purpose that will bring real joy to its owner.
