Flower lovers are probably very familiar with dahlias. They attract attention with their bright flowers and incredibly delicate and fluffy buds. The colors of dahlias are so varied that everyone can find flowers to their liking. By experimenting with flowers, you can create entire compositions in your flower beds. Cactus dahlias look especially attractive; their pointed leaves leave no one indifferent. Also, seed producers have taken care and are producing a mixture of cactus dahlia. Dahlias of various colors are placed in such a bag with seeds. Agree that this is very convenient and also saves you money.
Characteristics of the cactus-shaped dahlia
The cactus dahlia is an amazingly beautiful flower. It belongs to the bushy perennial plants. Each bush produces up to 15 flower stalks. The flowers are large, each petal is twisted, with a sharp end. Colors can be very diverse: yellow, pink, white, orange, burgundy and red. There are two-color types of dahlias, when one flower can combine petals of two colors, or smoothly transition from one color to another. By purchasing a package called “Dahlia cactus mixture” at a seed store, you can grow flowers of several colors at once. The packaging shows exactly what colors are in it.
Dahlia is a compact plant. All bushes are approximately the same height. This allows you to use it for group plantings, bouquets and decorating flower beds. The height of the bushes can range from 30 to 150 cm, and the diameter of the flowers is approximately 10 to 30 centimeters.
Growing and care
Grow dahlias It is recommended to use the seedling method. But you can immediately sow dahlia seeds in the ground. If you choose the second option, then do not rush to sow. This must be done in May, so that in July you can already admire the luxurious flowers. But sowing seedlings should begin in early April. At first, boxes with dahlias need to be covered with film to create a greenhouse effect. For rapid germination, peat and sand are added to the soil.
When the first leaves appear on the stems, you should pick the plants into separate pots. But before this, the soil must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or steamed with boiling water. Before planting, the plants are hardened off by taking them outside. The first day we hold the seedlings for only 5 minutes, each next day we increase the time by another 10 minutes. Some flowers may bloom at this stage.
You can start planting in open ground at the end of May, make sure that the frosts have completely passed. For full growth, flowers need to be planted at a distance of 30 centimeters from each other. We leave about 40 centimeters between the rows of dahlias.Flowering may continue until frost occurs. In this case, it is necessary to pick dried flowers from time to time, as well as loosen the soil. Water dahlias as needed.
Dahlias can also be grown from rhizomes. This method allows you to plant flowers year after year without spending money on seeds. Landing is carried out as follows:
- In April, the roots should be removed from the cellar and placed on sawdust or peat in a sunny place. Only with good lighting will the roots produce healthy shoots. Due to insufficient sunlight, pale shoots will sprout and are unable to grow.
- After the buds appear, the rhizomes should be divided. Each tuber must have at least one bud.
- One rhizome is enough to plant 6–10 tubers. We place each of them in a box and cover it with earth. In early May, you can plant dahlias in a greenhouse. They can be moved to a flower garden or flower bed in early June.
- Tubers are planted in the ground to a depth of about 15 centimeters downwards with their eyes. Next, you need to sprinkle it with soil and water it thoroughly.
Conclusion
Cactus-shaped dahlias can delight our eyes all summer and even the beginning of autumn. These flowers are incredibly easy to grow. They are unpretentious to conditions and do not require special care. Having dug up the rhizomes in advance, you can grow these flowers in your flowerbed for many years. And by purchasing “Dahlia cactus mixture”, you can get such beauty as shown in the photo. The variety of colors will please all your loved ones and will decorate your yard in an original way.
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