Dahlias Funny guys - unpretentious plants, but very attractive. Even a novice gardener can grow them. This variety is perhaps one of the most popular among Russian agronomists. Dahlias got this name because of the brightly colored buds, they create a special festive atmosphere around them. Another variety is widespread due to its varied color palette and drought resistance.
Dahlias are generally classified as perennial herbaceous plants, but the Merry Guys variety is an exception, a dwarf annual. In the year of planting, the plants must be cut. When grown in unfavorable climatic conditions, dahlias may not form tubers. Not so long ago, this variety was the most popular among domestic agronomists, today it has been slightly replaced by marigolds and begonias.
The height of the bushes varies from 25 to 70 cm, the culture has powerful stems with green leaf plates. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches approximately 9 cm. Flowers of this variety can be painted in various shades. The dwarf variety can be either ordinary or terry.
Schematic care
Planting and leaving
Dahlias Merry Guys are a light-loving and thermophilic variety that can withstand even persistent drought. Plants are quite unpretentious to the composition and structure of the soil, but they need a lot of light. If dahlias grow in the shade, it is pointless to wait for a lush bloom.
The planting site must be pre-treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, this will prevent the development of many diseases and pest attacks.
The most common method of reproduction is seed, while the following recommendations must be followed:
- The optimal time for sowing is the second or third decade of April. Seeds are planted in previously prepared soil to a depth of no more than 2 cm. It is necessary to observe the interval between bushes no more than 3 cm. After sowing the seeds, the first shoots can be expected after a week.
- The growing crop needs a pick when its height reaches 10 cm. You can plant seedlings in peat pots or spacious boxes. Then it's time to plant the plants in open ground.
- Already in May, when the air is warm enough, it is recommended to take the seedlings out into the fresh air so that they become hardened and get used to outdoor conditions. In early to mid-June, seedlings can be transferred to open soil. Flowering should be expected in the third decade of June - the first decade of July.
- It is necessary to plant seedlings in open soil, strictly observing the rows. The interval between the two plants is at least 20 cm, due to the rapid development of the bushes. They do not need frequent watering, but they should be plentiful, especially if it is extremely hot outside. It is recommended to mulch the soil near the bushes to retain moisture near the root system.
Growing a family of dahlias is possible immediately by sowing seeds in open soil. This is recommended when the probability of frost is minimized.
Flower care
Taking care of the dahlia family is extremely easy. Before planting, you must first prepare the planting pits by fertilizing them with organic fertilizing. This will ensure not only rapid development, but also lush flowering.
Watering a plant has its own characteristics:
- The dahlia root system should not be waterlogged. For a plant, this is much worse than drought.
- Young seedlings should be watered at intervals of one week, and you can also irrigate the bushes using a spray bottle.
- With the onset of August, plants do not need to be watered at all, they do not need it.
As soon as flowering stops, it is necessary to select the strongest bushes and leave them on the vine for further seed collection. They are carefully separated from the petals, after which it will not be superfluous to dry in the sun (to collect the seeds, the inflorescences must be dry). The collected seed is stored at room temperature in a paper bag for several years.
Dahlias Funny Guys (in the garden)
This flower variety can be grown by seed or tubers.
Tuber propagation is also in demand, but not so much. With the onset of autumn, the root system is removed from the ground, cleaned of soil, treated with a manganese solution and stored in containers with peat or sand. The storage temperature should be at least +8 degrees. If necessary, the sand can be slightly moistened. With the arrival of heat, the tubers are taken out, fading and damaged fragments are removed. The root system should start up small roots during this time, they can be separated. The cut points must be treated with a disinfectant.
Prepared tubers can be planted in open ground in the second or third decade of May. This method allows you to contemplate the lush bloom of dahlias earlier.
Advantages and disadvantages
The annual dahlia is so in demand due to the large number of advantages that more than cover the disadvantages. Main advantages:
- A wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and terry.
- Abundant, continuous and prolonged flowering (from mid-July to frost).
- Compact and rapidly growing bushes, the height varies from 25 to 70 cm.
- Standard and uncomplicated agrotechnical procedures.
- They grow on any kind of soil.
- Excellent indicators of drought resistance.
- Weak infestation by pests and diseases.
Despite the large number of advantages, one should not forget about the disadvantages.
- This is an annual, i.e. at the end of the growing season, the bushes must be dug up.
- The culture is light-loving, so it will not grow in the shade.
- If the rules of care are not followed, dahlias are strongly affected by viral diseases.
Dahlias Funny guys are flowers that can charm anyone, with their help you can form funny flower beds. Even a novice agronomist can grow such beauty, it is enough to first familiarize yourself with the main features of planting and care.
