Annual dahlias: varieties, planting and care in open ground

Annual dahlias are very beautiful and unique flowers. They will delight you with their blooms until the first frost, requiring little care. This article will discuss annual dahlia varieties, care, and cultivation.

Description of the variety and characteristics of the annual dahlia

The annual dahlia is a beautiful plant often planted in gardens and flower beds. These flowers are easy to care for. They can be planted from seed, and they will delight their owners with blooms for up to four months before the first frost, making them a popular choice even in the northern regions of the country.

There are many varieties of annual dahlias. You can choose from both tall and short varieties. Dahlias also come in double and glossy varieties.

Advantages and disadvantages of annual dahlias

Perennial dahlias are much more common, planted in the ground for many years. However, annual varieties are much easier to manage and offer many advantages. These include:

1. Annual dahlias begin blooming in their first year, while perennials may not bloom for the first year. Furthermore, annuals begin blooming much earlier.
2. Annuals bloom for about four months, beginning in July and delighting the eye until the first frost. Perennial dahlias begin blooming closer to autumn.
3. Harvesting perennial dahlias is much more complicated. First, you need to dig up the tubers, and then store them until spring. With annuals, it's simpler: you just need to collect the seeds and remove the dried stems from the flowerbeds.
4. Perennial dahlia tubers are more vulnerable. They often suffer from pests and various diseases. Annual dahlias, on the other hand, are less vulnerable and require little care. Planting and caring for annual dahlias is relatively hassle-free.
5. Almost all regions of Ukraine and Russia are suitable for annual dahlias.

It is important to understand that if, when choosing dahlias, preference was given to tall or medium-sized varieties, then they will need to be supported.

Growing

To plant dahlias, you first need to grow seedlings. This should be done in March or April.

1. Preparing a seedling site. Containers can be used as seedling sites. First, wash them in hot water. Then, install drainage holes in the container. This will help the seedlings remove excess moisture.
2. Selecting and preparing seeds. Seeds are harvested in the fall. Any remaining seeds are suitable. First, they need to be soaked in a special solution that stimulates growth. The solution must be warm, and the soaking time should be at least 12 hours.
3. Regarding soil, you can use neutral, loose soil or regular garden soil. However, in this case, you'll need to disinfect the soil and water it with potassium permanganate.
4. Planting the seeds. First, fill the containers with pre-moistened soil. Then, evenly distribute the seeds throughout the soil, and cover them with more soil.
5. Germination. Cover the containers with glass and place them in a well-lit area. After 3-4 days, you'll see the first sprouts.

When a large number of sprouts appear, remove the glass. The sprouts should be watered regularly. When the first leaves appear, the seedlings can be pricked out.

You'll need additional containers for transplanting. The soil should be loose and nutritious. The seedlings should be buried in the soil up to the cotyledons.

After 14-16 days from transplanting, the seedlings can be fertilized. This will speed up their growth. After this, they will need pinching. If done correctly, the seedlings will be strong and easily transplanted into open ground.

Growing annual dahlias outdoors

Choosing a location is crucial when growing dahlias. For full bloom, it's best to choose open, sunny spots. As for the soil, it's best to have it fairly loose. The bed where the dahlias are to be planted should be dug over, adding humus and sand beforehand.

Regarding the timing of planting and caring for annual dahlias outdoors, these flowers are considered heat-loving plants. Therefore, they should be planted after all possible frosts, specifically in late May. For planting, dig holes 30-60 centimeters apart. After planting, the seedlings should be shaded for a few days.

Since annual dahlias are easy to grow, they can be left without fertilization, but their blooms will be less vibrant. However, for vibrant blooms, three fertilizations are recommended. The first application is 12-15 days after planting. The second application is during budding. A third application is recommended in the last weeks of August. Watering should be frequent, but sparingly.

Varieties of annual dahlias

There are quite a few varieties of dahlias, so everyone can find one to suit their taste. Here are the main ones:

1. Bambino. This dahlia variety is a dwarf, reaching up to 25 centimeters tall. However, this doesn't hinder its blooms. In July, this variety delights with the appearance of flowers, which reach 6-8 centimeters in diameter. This variety also boasts vibrant colors. This variety makes an excellent border for flower beds and can also be planted individually in pots. Indoor conditions are ideal for Bambino dahlias.
2. Dandy. This variety is tall, with elegantly upright bushes. It can be planted anywhere, both in the center of a flowerbed and along its edges. This variety can be distinguished from others by the presence of downward-curling collarettes. These collarettes are found on semi-double inflorescences. These dahlias bloom in July, usually towards the end.
3. Ornamental dahlia. This mix contains only tall dahlias, sometimes reaching 1.2 meters in height. These bushes produce double flowers, many of which are present. These dahlias are best planted in groups. These flowers will delight you with their blooms as early as mid-July. If left uncut, they can last until the first frost.
4. Opera. These dahlias grow to about 30 centimeters tall, making them a great choice for balconies or windowsills. They also work well in flowerbeds as borders or edgings. These flowers boast a generous volume. Furthermore, this variety is double and has a yellow center. It typically blooms 17-19 weeks after planting. This variety blooms until the first frost.
5. Minion. These flowers are very beautiful and elegant, often found as ornamental potted plants. They begin blooming around July 20th, and reach a height of no more than 40 centimeters.
6. Figaro. This dahlia deserves special attention. It typically grows to 35 centimeters tall, and its flowers reach 7-10 centimeters in diameter. Its vibrant coloring makes it a real eye-catcher. Like the previous varieties, it blooms from July to October. These flowers can be grown in flowerbeds, as well as in pots on balconies or windowsills.
7. Cheerful guys. These flowers are perfect for those who love compact plants with many flowers. This variety grows to about 60 centimeters tall. The flowers have a bright yellow center and simple inflorescences. They bloom from midsummer to mid-fall, boasting vibrant bloom colors. They are perfect for a variety of flowerbeds.
8. Collared. This mixture of different varieties is combined because of the height of the bushes, reaching up to 60 centimeters. The flower has a yellow center, surrounded by short petals resembling a collar resting on the large leaves of the outer edge. The blooming time is the same as all the previous varieties. It looks great in flowerbeds alongside other dahlia varieties.
9. Cactus. The stems of this plant reach 1 meter. The petals are thin and curled. The inflorescences are bright and beautiful. They can be used to decorate flowerbeds, gardens, and even bouquets.
10. Pompom. The flowers of this variety are rounded, with double, brightly colored heads. The bushes grow to about 90 centimeters tall. Suitable for group plantings.

How to choose annual dahlia seeds

You can collect annual dahlia seeds yourself. It's not difficult. The key is to collect them on warm, dry days. Otherwise, the seeds may become damaged by mold and be unsuitable for planting. If all the seed collection instructions are met, almost all of them are suitable for planting.

Rules for collecting seeds:

1. Seeds should be collected after the seed pods have become dry. Collection is done by breaking the pods off the stem.
2. Next, the boxes should be laid out indoors to dry completely.
3. Once dry, remove the seeds from the capsules by hand. These seeds should be stored until spring.

Reviews

Olga, 29 years old:

"If you buy seeds at the store, you need to be prepared for mixed seeds. Usually, it's one variety, but the colors vary. But it happens. After buying seeds at the store once, I got several varieties of dahlias at once. This might be a good thing, of course, but I wasn't entirely satisfied. So now, every year, I collect the seeds myself and store them separately so I know which variety and color is which. I find it much more convenient."

Marina, 45 years old:

"I've planted different types of dahlias, but now I try to plant only low-growing dahlias. Why? It's simple. Dahlias with shorter bushes bloom much earlier and continue to bloom like everyone else until the first frost. This suits me better."

Alena, 38 years old:

"I read that you need to harden off dahlias before planting them. To do this, take the flowers outside or onto the balcony for 5-7 minutes, gradually increasing the hardening time. I followed this advice and began hardening off my dahlias, but unfortunately, my seedlings died. Later, I learned that if the outside temperature is below 13 degrees Celsius, you should postpone hardening off. Having ruined my flowers, I want to warn others. Don't make the same mistakes I did. And your flowers will delight you."