Dahlias Cheerful guys: variety description, planting and care, growing from seeds and tubers

Many flower growers grow dahlias Cheerful guys, as this variety is unpretentious in care. The name of the plant was due to the buds of bright color, which, by their appearance, create a festive and joyful atmosphere around.

Appearance and characteristics of dahlia Funny guys

These annual flowers are dwarf varieties of dahlias that grow up to 25 centimeters. Experts advise growing them in the southern regions, as they do not tolerate low temperatures.

The main distinguishing feature of the variety is its strong stems and powerful root system, which is resistant to decay.The leaves of the Merry Fellows are painted in bright green. However, dahlias with dark red flowers may have burgundy leaves. The color of the petals can also be different, and therefore you should not be surprised that one part of the flowers is red or lilac, and the second is burgundy or pink.

If you plant dahlias correctly, you can get friendly seedlings that will bloom at the same time in the future.

Flower growers are advised to regularly trim the bushes so that they do not grow up to 35-40 centimeters. This will speed up the appearance of inflorescences and increase the duration of flowering.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Dahlias, like other flowers, have a number of advantages and disadvantages that you need to familiarize yourself with before planting them.

Fun Guys benefits include:

• Variety of flowers. It is no secret that the inflorescences of the variety can have petals of different colors. This allows you to choose the color of the dahlia, which will fit perfectly into the flower bed.
• Long flowering. It is the long flowering that is the main factor due to which people plant them on their plots. If you regularly take care of the bushes, they will bloom from mid-summer until the first night frosts.
• Compact. The plant does not grow even with abundant watering and fertilization. On average, bushes grow up to 20-60 centimeters in height.
• Easy to grow. Dahlias are undemanding to care for, they will bloom even in dry weather and lack of nutrients.
• Drought tolerant. Many flowers need to be watered regularly in order to bloom in the future, but dahlia bushes tolerate drought and hot weather without problems.
• Disease resistance. The plant has a strong root system and good immunity, which protects it from most viral and fungal diseases.

Merry guys have much less disadvantages than advantages. These include the following:

• need to periodically dig up the plant as it is an annual;
• slow growth of bushes planted in shady areas;
• poor cold resistance.

Cultivation specifics

Before planting Cheerful guys, you need to figure out the specifics of their cultivation.

Soil Requirements

In order for dahlias to grow normally, they are planted only in fertile soil, which contains a lot of humus. The plant is contraindicated in heavy and sandy soils, as bushes will develop slowly in them.

To improve the composition of the soil, you will have to add humus with compost and peat to it. This will saturate the earth with nutrients that promote the growth of flowers. Lime is added to the soil with a high level of acidity in the amount of one and a half kilograms per square meter.

Choosing a good place to place plants

The choice of a place for planting must be approached responsibly, as the growth of flowers depends on it. The plant should be grown in a well-lit area with reliable protection from gusts of wind. It is also recommended to select a place where nothing has been grown for 2-3 years.

Planting seeds in open ground

Before planting, it is necessary to determine the optimal timing for planting seed. Since the variety does not cope well with frost, the seeds are planted in late April or May, when the temperature is above zero.

A few days before planting, the site is cleared of weeds and leveled. Then the rows are marked and holes are made at a distance of 20-25 centimeters. 2-3 seeds are planted in each hole.

Growing seedlings and planting them

Some gardeners first grow seedlings, which are then transplanted into open ground. Seedlings are grown in peat pots at a temperature of 15-20 degrees. When the seedlings grow to 7-10 centimeters, they are seated in a flower bed. Seedlings are transplanted very carefully so as not to accidentally damage their young roots.

General care rules

These flowers need attention and need to figure out how to take care of them.

Irrigation

It's no secret that dahlias don't need to be watered often as they are drought tolerant. However, in the first few days after planting, seedlings should be watered abundantly. If the temperature outside is above 25 degrees, then in the first week the plant is watered every day. After that, the soil is moistened 2-3 times a week.

Fertilizers

Mineral and organic fertilizers are added to the soil no more than twice a month. At the same time, for the first time, dahlias are fed with organic matter in the form of ammonium nitrate, chicken manure and a solution prepared from mullein. Next time, the soil is fertilized with superphosphate and other mineral supplements.

Features of tubers wintering

Experts recommend digging up tubers in winter and moving them to a warm room for wintering. However, some gardeners decide to leave them in the ground. In this case, the flower bed will have to be insulated with coniferous branches and fallen leaves.

Diseases and pests

Sometimes flowers are attacked by pests, suffer from fusarium and brown rot. To protect the planted seedlings, you will have to regularly spray them with fungicides and Bordeaux mixture. Processing is best done with rubber gloves so as not to damage the skin.

Collection and storage of seeds

Many are interested in how to save the tubers so that they do not deteriorate in winter. Tubers are dug up in autumn, after the first frosts at night. All collected tubers are cleaned of dirt, dried and shortened to 5-8 centimeters. After cutting, the cut points are wrapped with foil so that the rotting process does not start.

Warm rooms with a high-quality ventilation system are chosen for storage of excavated tubers. Cellar and basement are often used as storage. Before storage, all tubers are laid out in a wooden box, the bottom of which is covered with peat and sawdust.

If dahlias will be stored in a room with a high level of humidity, the tubers will have to be pre-treated with a clay mixture. To prepare it, 500 grams of clay is mixed with water until a thick consistency is obtained. Then the tubers are soaked in the mixture for 10-15 minutes. As a result, a clay layer is formed on their surface, which will protect the plant from moisture and prevent decay.

You can also wrap dahlias in strong plastic bags, which also protect well from moisture and low temperatures. The main advantage of this storage method is that it allows you to save even the smallest and most weakened tubers.

The role of annuals in landscape design

Dahlias are quite beautiful flowers and therefore they are used in landscape design. To decorate the site, they are planted with other compact flowers. From them you can create beautiful ridges, flower beds and flower borders. Experienced flower growers recommend planting them next to asters, petunias and marigolds.

Conclusion

The Jolly Guys are one of the most common varieties of dahlias. Before planting it, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the plant, as well as deal with the basic recommendations for planting and growing flowers.

Recommended