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Many gardeners grow dahlias on their plots with great success - perennial varieties and annuals. Dahlias “Jolly Fellows” are representatives of dwarf varieties. They differ from their counterparts in that they do not form a tuber, so this variety cannot be grown as a perennial. This type of dahlia is found everywhere. In flower beds and borders, in flower pots and on terraces, you can see bright, elegant inflorescences everywhere. Many people don’t even know what these flowers are called, but they love them very much.
Their popularity is explained by their ease of care and the fact that this variety of dahlias does not require winter storage. For those who have not yet grown dwarf dahlias, we offer a photo of the “Jolly Guys”:
The decorative effect of dahlia flowers is provided by large inflorescences and bright green leaves. The diameter of one flower reaches 9 cm. Usually, mixtures with different shades of inflorescences are sold.
In one package you can purchase white, red, pink, yellow flowers to decorate your summer cottage. Dahlias also differ in the shape of the inflorescence. They can be terry or simple.
Dahlias “Jolly Fellows” are propagated exclusively by seeds in seedlings and without seedlings.
The nuances of growing seedlings of cheerful dahlias
Annual dahlias “Jolly Fellows” love light and warmth. They can easily tolerate short-term drought, but without good lighting the plant stems will be weak and elongated. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant the “Jolly Fellows” variety in the shade. How to grow “Jolly Guys” seedlings for your plot yourself? Of course, withstanding all the agricultural technology requirements of annual dahlias. First of all, let's talk about sowing seeds.
- Deadlines. When sowing dahlia seeds for seedlings, they try to withstand the early dates - late March, April. Sowing directly into the ground is carried out after it is certain that there will be no more frosts. Of course, direct sowing into the ground will delay the flowering period, but the dahlias will have time to please you with their beauty. Plants sown directly into the soil will require close attention at first. The seedlings are protected from possible cold weather until they get stronger. Seedlings make it possible to speed up the flowering of dahlias.
- Seeds. They buy the seeds of “cheerful” dahlias in specialized stores or from their neighbors in the country. Often the plants they like migrate from one area to another. Before sowing, the seeds can be kept in a solution of aloe juice or formaldehyde. But this is an optional procedure. “Jolly” dahlia has excellent germination, and the seeds do not require additional preparation.
- Priming. Loose, slightly acidic or neutral soil is suitable for dwarf dahlias. When growing seedlings, it is better to prepare a mixture of sand, perlite and peat.
- Containers for seedlings. Peat pots and tablets, paper or plastic cups, wooden boxes and pots are great help.
We proceed directly to the procedure for sowing dahlia seeds.
- The soil is spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or another disinfectant. If you heat it, it will only be better for the plants. The prepared soil mixture is poured into containers. Spread the seeds, lightly sprinkle with soil and water moderately.
- Repeated watering is carried out no earlier than 5-7 days later.
- The container is covered with glass or polyethylene - this will speed up seed germination. After the shoots emerge, the film is removed.
- The seedlings are thinned out after a week.
Further care consists of observing standard requirements when growing seedlings:
- watering;
- temperature (27°C) and lighting;
- picking;
- hardening.
For experienced gardeners, the “Jolly Fellows” dahlias, the cultivation of which we describe, are problem-free flowers. Planting and caring for a dwarf variety does not cause any difficulties. Beginners in floriculture need to carefully monitor dahlia seedlings during the growing period in order to change the parameters in time.
We plant annuals in the ground and take care of them
The optimal time for planting is considered to be the end of May. In the place you planned to plant flowers, prepare the soil in advance. Dig up the area, loosen it and fertilize it with humus or compost.
Plant seedlings to a depth of no more than 2 cm. If you deepen the root system further, this can lead to rotting of the root collar.
The planting pattern is 30x20, be sure to keep a neat row.Add a little humus and wood ash to each hole to provide the plants with useful components as much as possible. The “Jolly Guys” variety has lush flowers and requires sufficient distance between the bushes. This rule may not be followed when sowing directly into the ground, given that you can always thin out the seedlings and transplant them to another place.
The planted seedlings of “cheerful” dahlias are watered and mulched. This technique allows you to conserve moisture, reduce the number of waterings and reduce labor costs for gardeners.
Constant presence in the beds is not required, but the basic parameters for caring for “cheerful” dahlias will have to be followed.
Watering
“Cheerful guys” do not have any increased requirements for watering. They withstand short-term drought well, but excessive moisture is undesirable for them. Therefore, weekly abundant watering is the most optimal solution. It is not necessary to strictly follow the schedule in rainy weather. Overwatering leads to rotting of the stems and roots, and plants may die. In August, plant growth stops and the need for watering is significantly reduced.
Feeding
If you have previously fertilized the soil, then this will be quite enough for “Jolly Fellows” dahlias. The only condition is that the fertilizer must have time to decompose so that the nutritional components become available to the roots. Therefore, fertilize the soil in the fall. If it is necessary to obtain more luxuriant flowering in the flower beds, carry out three feeding dahlias:
- The first is mullein infusion or ammonium nitrate two weeks after planting for permanent residence.
- The second is potassium salt or superphosphate after budding.
- The third is organic matter during the flowering phase of dahlias.
Decorate the area with bright flowers
In July, dahlias “Jolly Fellows” begin flowering, which continues until frost.
Knowing the height of the bush, you can plan plantings in flower beds, to decorate garden paths or bright spots on the lawn.
This is done over the 4th pair of leaves. It is also necessary to promptly remove faded inflorescences. If you plan to collect your seeds for next season, leave a few on the bush.
As soon as flowering stops, they will ripen. In cool weather, remove the inflorescences from the bush and place in a warm and ventilated place. But you definitely need to let the seeds ripen on the bush, so that next year you won’t be left without your favorite flowers.
“Jolly fellows” have difficulty forming good tubers for planting. It is important to carefully observe the timing of sowing and planting so that the tuber can form within the season. They are dug up after the first frost on the ground. Now we have to properly preserve the tubers of the “cheerful” dahlia until the new season. Some gardeners, after drying, coat them with clay to retain moisture, then place them in cardboard boxes and lower them into the basement. Be sure to sign the shades of flowers in order to properly plan planting next year.
Tubers that have survived the winter are planted in open ground in May.
Unpretentious dahlias “Jolly Guys” will help you create beautiful elegant flower beds on your site without much time, effort and money. Bright and lush flowering will make the area more elegant and cozy.
What soil should I transplant seedlings into? How to prepare the soil for flowerpots?
Good afternoon.
The soil for planting dahlia seedlings is prepared in the same way as for growing seedlings. You can also take soil from the site. But it needs to be well fertilized with compost or humus. To avoid stagnation of water in the flowerpots, you can add a little river sand.
The optimal ratio of soil, humus and sand is 4:2:1.