When and how to plant dahlias with tubers in open ground in spring

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

A rare flower garden does without these bright and very spectacular flowers, but in order to grow such beauty, you need to know how to properly plant dahlias with tubers in open ground in spring.

When to plant

Dahlias are planted in open ground no earlier than the earth warms up to + 11 … + 15 degrees. It is also necessary to take into account the air temperature - it must be warm enough, without sudden fluctuations.

The splendor and timing of flowering depend not only on the varietal affiliation of the dahlia, but also on the timing of planting in open ground.

Landing by region

The timing of planting dahlias with tubers in open ground in each region differs depending on meteorological conditions and terrain features.

Even within the boundaries of one settlement, soil heating in spring can be uneven. For example, it will thaw longer in the lowlands than on the southern side of the hillside.

Planting days for flowers are determined by the establishment of stable warm weather and the absence of frost at night. Otherwise, the plants will die.

Middle zone of Russia and Moscow region

The best option for these regions would be to plant seedlings or tubers in the second or third decade of May. Flowers can be planted at the beginning of the month if the spring was early.

But in this case, it is worth taking care of the shelter, since there is still the likelihood of recurrent frosts.

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Siberia and the Urals

Both regions are distinguished by more severe climatic conditions than in the Moscow region, and summer comes here much later. In this regard, the timing of planting dahlias in the ground is shifted. The soil warms up to a temperature comfortable for this type of plants only at the beginning of summer.

Therefore, it is recommended to transfer dahlias to the garden / vegetable garden not earlier than the second decade of June, when the air temperature will stably stay at + 15 … + 16 degrees, which will provide the flowers with optimal conditions for further growth and development.

The short summer and the desire to grow beautiful, lush blooming bushes prompted Siberian flower growers to do some tricks. Since autumn, before the onset of cold weather, they prepare high ridges, which are used in spring to grow dahlias.

1. Having chosen an area where there is more sun, they dig a trench into which fresh manure and plant debris are laid (you can even use chopped branches). A layer of soil is poured on top, its thickness is determined by the depth of planting of tubers. The resulting ridge is covered with a film for the winter.
2. In the spring, after the snow has melted, it is spilled with hot water and covered again. When manure and plant residues are heated, rotting processes begin, which take place with the release of heat.

On such ridges, tubers can be planted 1-1, 5 weeks earlier than the deadlines set in the region. For reliability, you can install arcs with a covering material.

South of Russia

In the southern part of the country, spring is usually early, characterized by rapid melting of snow and rapid drying of the soil. Therefore, you should not be late with disembarkation.

Planting works are carried out already in April, while there is still moisture in the soil. To preserve it, a layer of peat, wood chips or humus is poured around the bushes.

Experienced growers recommend planting dahlia tubers in open ground at the same time as planting early potatoes. This will give the flowers plenty of time to grow and bloom.

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How to plant tubers

Before planting, it is necessary to carefully inspect the planting material, remove rotten and damaged parts with a knife. The cut sites must be treated with wood ash or brilliant greens - this will speed up the healing process of the wound.

Tuber preparation

Rhizomes must be rinsed with warm water and treated in a disinfectant solution. For its preparation, you will need copper sulfate or potassium permanganate (1 tsp / 10 liters of water). Dip the tubers into the composition, then drain and dry.

Before planting in open ground, tubers must be germinated

1. In the spring, in the warm earth, make a trench 0.2 m deep and 0.4 m wide. The length of the groove is determined by the amount of seed.
2. Place the dahlia tubers in the prepared well.
3. Sprinkle with soil, but not completely - the top should remain on the surface (about 3 cm).
4. Cover the ridge with planting material with a piece of film, strengthen it.
5. After 14-21 days, when the tubers germinate, the shelter is removed for a day, and returned to its place in the evening.
6. Throughout the entire period of germination, there is no need to water the plants, since moisture is still preserved in the ground after the snow has melted.

Dahlias can also be germinated in special containers by placing them in a warm room. In this case, it is necessary to periodically spray the tubers from the spray bottle.

If germination is carried out in boxes (basins, trays and other utensils), it is imperative to make drainage holes, which will help to avoid stagnation of moisture and decay of rhizomes.

What to do:

• a layer of substrate is poured onto the bottom. You can use coconut fiber, sawdust, sand or peat;
• the tubers are laid in such a way that the top remains outside;
• containers with planting material are placed where it is light, and the thermometer does not drop below + 18 … + 20 degrees;
• the substrate is periodically moistened (do not flood!);
• sprouts will appear in 1, 5-2 weeks.

By the number of buds formed, it is determined how many stems are formed in the future on the tuber. A lot of shoots does not mean that the bush will bloom luxuriantly and profusely. Rather, the opposite is true.

Numerous shoots compete with each other for food and water, they are crowded, which leads to poor flowering. Therefore, rhizomes, on which more than 3-5 buds have formed, are recommended to be divided, leaving 1-2 buds on each part.

Do not ignore this important point, otherwise the bushes will turn out to be sloppy and thickened, which will significantly spoil their appearance. In addition, the division activates the defenses of the rhizome and contributes to the rejuvenation of the bush. When cutting a tuber, care must be taken to preserve the root collars.

Many inexperienced growers make a gross mistake by cutting off part of the tuber with the lower section of the main shoot and roots, planting only these parts in the ground. In this case, the appearance of sprouts should not be expected. The fact is that the kidneys are formed only in the apical part, where the root collar is located.

It is better to purchase planting material in late February or early March. Before buying, you should carefully inspect the tubers - they must be healthy, without damage, dried parts and signs of rot.

How to plant tubers

First of all, you should decide on the place of planting the plant. For all varieties and hybrids, differing in size, shape of petals and buds, there are uniform rules, non-observance of which can lead to adverse consequences.

For example, a bush planted in an open place accessible to strong winds, or in the shade, will develop poorly and will not be able to please with full flowering.

Site selection

The area chosen for planting flowers should be well lit and protected as much as possible from strong winds. It is good if decorative bushes with a lush spreading crown grow nearby. A solid fence or building wall will be a good protection.

Soil preparation

Before planting tubers in open ground, it must be checked for acidity. For dahlias, soil with a neutral indicator is best suited; slight deviations towards an increase in alkalinity or acidity are allowed. If the alkalinity is too high, peat is added to the soil. To reduce acidity, wood ash is used.

It is recommended to change the planting site every spring - this will help to avoid damage to plants by various diseases. In the same place, the bushes can successfully grow and develop with an interval of at least three years. It is not recommended to plant related crops of the family of the same name near the bushes.

Stages of planting tubers

Having decided on the place and preparing the soil, they proceed directly to planting the tubers.

1. First, you need to dig holes at intervals of 0, 3-0, 8 m. The distance is determined by the variety, that is, the limiting size of an adult bush. Tall hybrids, as a rule, are planted at a distance of 0.7-0.8 m from each other, undersized ones - 0.3-0.5 m. The row spacing is 1 m.
2. A support is installed near the recesses, which is later used to tie the bush.
3. Humus is poured onto the bottom of the hole (several shovels), a handful of wood ash is added. The mixture is spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate).
4. Tubers are laid closer to the established stakes. In this case, the root collar is deepened by 5-6 cm, a layer of soil is poured on top and watered.
5. In the first few days after planting, the soil must be moistened daily.

When the stems are elongated, they should be tied up. The soil in the near-trunk circles is mulched. Peat or sawdust can be used as mulch.

Summarize

1. In spring, tubers are planted in open ground no earlier than stable warm (up to + 16 … + 17 degrees) weather is established, and the soil warms up to + 11 … + 15 degrees.
2. Dahlias grow well on neutral soil, a slight excess of alkalinity or acidity is allowed.
3. To ensure the growth and full development of the bushes, followed by fur flowering, they should be placed in a sunny, wind-protected area.