Dahlias pompons: growing from seeds

Many gardeners pomponne dahlias are considered one of the most favorite colors. And this is not surprising. After all, there are many of their extraordinary shades. In addition, the flowering period of this culture begins in the middle of summer and ends in the late autumn. Colored buds can decorate any home garden. It should be noted that the pompon dahlias reproduce not only tubers, but also seeds. Transplanting plants by roots is a rather laborious process. The seeds are much more convenient and easier to use as a planting material.

How to get the seeds

Dahlias pompons are flowers that can please for a long time with their extraordinary flowering. The easiest way to get a planting material is to purchase seeds from a specialized store. But if you want, you can grow them yourself. If you look closely at the buds of the pollinated dahlia, you can see seeds of a light green hue. As they mature, their color changes and becomes dark-beige. In form, the seeds of dahlias resemble cones of small size. If the box is completely dried, and the flakes gradually flake, then it's time to collect the planting material.

Features of obtaining seeds

Cultivating pomponous dahlias from seeds, it is worth considering that the fruits of the plant mature in late autumn. During this period the humidity of the air rises and the rainy season comes. So that the planting material does not begin to decay and do not proceed, it is necessary to cover the boxes with waterproof material. If the frost has begun, it is recommended to cut the flower-carrying plants and put them in a jar full of water. Seeds can ripen at room temperature for 14 days.

Seed boxes after full maturation should be cut off, and then gently opened. Varieties of pomponne dahlias may differ in color. However, in each box, regardless of the variety, there will certainly be at least 10 seeds. You can store such planting material for up to 4 years. It is recommended to create favorable conditions.

Preparation of soil for seedlings

The first stage of cultivation of pomponous dahlias from seeds is soil preparation. For sprouting seedlings, a certain soil is required. It is recommended to prepare it in autumn. The composition of the soil for pomponian dahlias should include humus, sand and turf. Components should be taken in equal proportions. Mixed components of the soil should be sifted, while removing large lumps and stones.

To seedlings are not affected by diseases and pests, it is necessary to warm the soil at a sufficiently high temperature, and then treat it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

How to plant seeds

Growing pomponne dahlias is not particularly difficult. When the soil is prepared, you can begin planting the seeds. The primer should be moistened first. After that, the seeds are planted in the soil to a depth of no more than 2 centimeters. It is worth keeping the distance between the holes. It should be about 3 centimeters. At the end, containers with seeded seeds should be placed in a room where the air temperature is between 23 and 25 ° C. It is recommended to cover the boxes with the planting material with a polyethylene transparent film, and also to ensure good lighting.

Germination of seeds

Of the seeds can be grown perennial and annual pomponiform dahlias. The main thing is to observe all the rules. After 7 days after sowing seeds, you can see the first growths. At this stage, remove the plastic film from the boxes and transfer them to a room with good lighting. Otherwise, the seedling will begin to stretch.

If you grow annuals, then you should sow seeds in early April. If you plan to breed a variety you like in the future with tubers, then planting the planting stock is in March. This will allow the fall to get plants with a strong and well-developed root system.

When the first shoots appear, it is necessary to provide seedlings with sufficient moisture and ventilation. It should be noted that water should not stagnate in the soil. Otherwise, the risk of infection of plants with various diseases is increased. It is best to moisten the soil with an atomizer, without washing the top layer.

How to Dive a Sprout

Dahlias pompons require quality care. When 3 bracts appear on bores, they must be dived. For each plant, it is worth preparing a separate pot filled with soil, which was prepared in the fall. In the bottom of each container it is recommended to make a hole through which excess moisture will escape. The primer for planting should be fat and friable.

Seedlings of pomponne dahlias should be planted in pre-prepared containers. To do this, from the general box is to dig out the seedlings with a small clod of earth and place in a glass with soil. Deepen the plant to the level of the cotyledons. Sprouts after transplantation must be moistened. To do this, use a spray gun. Subsequent watering of seedlings should be carried out only after the top layer of soil dries.

Preparation before planting in open ground

In the second decade of the last month of spring pomponine dahlias should be transplanted into the open ground. By this time, the seedlings will become stronger. However, hurry with the landing is not particularly worth it. It is necessary to wait for the final warming, as spring frosts can greatly harm young plants.

Before planting in the open ground dahlias worth hardening. So plants will get accustomed much faster. Beginning with the first numbers in May, containers with seedlings should be taken out to fresh air. Initially, the duration of such a procedure should be no more than 5 minutes. Every day the stay of the seedlings in the open air should be increased. At the same time, the temperature of the air in the room where the seedlings were grown should be gradually lowered.

Choose a place correctly

A mixture of pomponne dahlias will delight you for a long time, if you choose the right place for planting seedlings. A flower bed with such flowers should be placed in an open, sufficiently lit area. In this case the soil must be well drained. It should be taken into account that pompon dahlias badly tolerate cold air and drafts, as well as dark places. If the plants are planted in a shaded area, they will begin to stretch. Stems because of this will become thin and weak, but buds may not appear at all.

In addition, the soil should not stagnate water. Therefore, it is worth choosing a site with loose soil. It is better to place a flower bed on a small hill. This will protect plants from early frosts. At the same time, moisture will not accumulate near the root system of the dahlia.

It should be noted that such plants are not particularly whimsical to the composition of the soil. However, the soil must be fertile and loose. Ideally suitable primer with slightly acid or neutral composition. In the fall period, it is recommended to apply fertilizer to the soil where the flowerbed will be placed. Ideally suitable manure, compost or humus.

Planting of seedlings

Cultivation of pomponne dahlias from seeds has its own peculiarities. Seedlings of these plants should be planted in the open ground in late spring or early summer. By this time the soil will warm up sufficiently. It should be noted that the dahlias are unpretentious. They tolerate the transplant well.

It is recommended to prepare the bed in advance. In each hole, add a little ash and humus. During the transplantation, it is recommended to carefully remove the seedlings from the pots, so as not to damage the root system. Otherwise, the plants will be very sick.

The distance between the holes should be about 20 centimeters. After planting the seedlings, it is recommended to water slightly, and then cover the soil around the seedlings.

Cultivation of pomponne dahlias from seeds: select the main

Planting seedlings in the open ground has its own characteristics. It is worth considering:

• If the seedlings were grown in containers made of clay or plastic, they should be abundantly watered at room temperature about two hours before the transplant.
• Cups made of paper or pressed peat can be buried in the ground together with the root system of plants.
• It is better to place a flower bed with dahlias in a place protected from a strong and cold wind.
• The soil should be prepared in the autumn, dig it up and make the necessary fertilizers.
• Plant seedlings are recommended in pre-prepared wells. The distance between them should be from 20 to 30 centimeters. This indicator depends on the height of the plants. The higher it is, the greater the distance between the wells.
• Pits for seedlings should be flavored with ashes and compost. Fertilizer must be mixed with the soil in advance.
• Sprinkle the planted seedlings with a small amount of water at room temperature. Soil around the dahlia is recommended to regularly loosen.

Mulching and watering

A mixture of pomponne dahlias with other varieties will make the flower bed more original. She is capable of pleasing the eye for a long time. The variety of colors is simply impressive. There are special varieties that were glorified by many writers - black dahlias. That plants grow well and produce buds, proper care is required.

Mandatory mulching of areas where dahlias are planted is mandatory. This will simplify the care of plants, since there will be no need for regular weeding and loosening of the soil. In addition, mulching protects seedlings from slugs. The soil after mulching retains moisture longer. This is relevant during periods of drought.

As for irrigation, it is recommended to moisten the soil up to two times within a week. Provided that there is no rain. However, moisture should not stagnate near the roots, as the tubers of pomponian dahlias tend to rot. If the dry season has come, then wetting the soil will help to keep the soil wet. This should be done after watering.

What fertilizers and how to make

The photos of pomponne dahlias are beautiful and extraordinary. Externally, these flowers resemble neat balls of bright colors. To plants well bloom, it is necessary to properly feed them. Apply fertilizer every 14 days. It is recommended to alternate organic additives with mineral ones. For feeding dahlias you can use:

• 15 grams of ammonium nitrate per 1 cubic meter of water;
• Mullein, infused with water, in proportions of 1 to 10, respectively;
• Infusion of bird droppings in the proportion of 1 to 20 parts of water.

When the first buds appear, it is worth using potassium supplements and superphosphate. To prepare the solution, 30 grams of the substance is required per bucket of water. This amount is sufficient to feed 8 dahlia bushes.

Do not forget about the support

Pompomal dahlias, like most other varieties, have a hollow stem. With heavy rain and wind, such plants easily break down. It is for this reason that dahlias should be tied, fixed with threads to the support pegs.

If the stem has not sustained and cracked, then it is recommended to apply a tire. For this, it is necessary to attach a strong branch to the stem, fix it and support the plant. Otherwise, he will be tilted to the side. Careful and timely care will allow you to save even the broken shoots.

Do I need to crop

Pump dahlias should be cut only if you are not interested in the quantity, but in the quality of the buds on the bushes. It is not necessary to leave more than three shoots on the seedlings. Otherwise, the buds will be too small and not so beautiful. In this case, it is worthwhile to carefully inspect the peduncles. On each of them it is recommended to leave only two buds. In this case, timely care of the bush is important. Faded buds should be removed immediately. Otherwise, they will delay growth and the formation of new ones.

During the whole season it is necessary to remove lateral shoots. In high grades, dahlias can be used as cuttings. As for stunted plants, they can not remove lateral shoots. By the way, most of the pomponian dahlias belong to the latter.

Pests

Dahlias are plants that attract many pests. The stems of these flowers most often suffer from slug attacks, and buds are earwigs. Therefore, during the activity of these insects, it is recommended that plants be treated. It is necessary to conduct such procedures in the evening. For the treatment of bushes can use decoction of celandine or wormwood.

During periods of drought, it is recommended to spray plants with systemic insecticides. They help to protect dahlias from attacks of caterpillars, ticks, aphids and thrips. In some cases, old-age methods of pest control may be useful. It is worth noting that dahlias very much like aphids. To eliminate it, you can treat the seedlings with a soap solution. All broths and remedies should be at room temperature. Do not use the herbs in hot form.