Dahlia is a beautiful flower belonging to the Astrov family. His homeland is Mexico. It is interesting that the Mexicans appreciated this plant not for its beauty, but for its medicinal properties. It was also added to food, and the hollow stems were used for various needs. But when the Spaniards saw it in the 16th century, they were amazed at this grandeur and beauty. Actually, it was thanks to the Spaniards that Europe learned about the dahlia, and after it - Great Britain, Germany and France. Dahlia made Russia happy with its appearance only in the middle of the 19th century. And it was in Russia that he was given the name "dahlia" in honor of the botanist Johann Georgi. Previously, everywhere and everywhere this culture was called "dahlia".

Important! It is correct to call this plant "dahlia", but the masculine name stuck.

There are more than 10,000 species of dahlia in the world. These flowers amaze with their beauty and variety. They differ in the size of the buds:

  • Large-flowered - the diameter of the bud is more than 20 cm;
  • Mid-flowered - from 10 to 20 cm;
  • Small-flowered - no more than 9-10 cm.

Dwarf dahlias

Also vary in height:

  • Curb dahlias (sometimes they are called dwarf, no more than 60 cm in height, or undersized, 80 cm in height). It is these flowers that win the love of summer residents. This is not surprising, because they require less care than their tall relatives. They do not need to be hilled, pinched, pinned.
  • Medium-sized - grow up to 120 cm.
  • Tall - these are a bush 150 cm high.

And there is nothing to say about the variety of colors - white, yellow, orange, purple, red ... And how many species with variegated petals! These beauties begin to bloom in July and bloom until they are frosty.

Dahlias: low-growing varieties

Plants with a height of no more than 55-60 cm are called undersized. They are loved by gardeners for their compact shape and variety of colors. There are many varieties of this plant: Topmix, Geleri, Dakhlinova, etc. Perhaps the most famous variety of miniature dahlias is the Merry Guys. They were called that for their varied bright, cheerful colors. These flowers are thermophilic, photophilous and have increased drought resistance.

On a note! The first buds bloom in early July and continue to bloom until frost.

These little dahlias look very impressive in rabatkas, on flower beds and borders. They propagate by seeds, which are sown directly to flower beds or by seedling.

Little dahlias in the flowerbed

Dahlia curb: planting and care

Dahlias Cheerful Guys - description, planting and care

In general, this species is considered perennial, tubers are also formed in it, but they are difficult to preserve in winter. Therefore, in our regions they are grown as annual plants with seeds.

Seeds can be purchased in a specialty store or ordered from an online store with mail delivery.

Dahlia seeds

At the beginning of April, you need to sow seeds in a container with nutrient soil. It is not recommended to plant it before, it is necessary to provide the plant with good lighting, otherwise the seedlings will stretch out and grow beautiful bushes.

For better seed germination and seedling growth, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 25-27aboutC. The first shoots will appear after a week. After another week and a half, it is necessary to make a pick into separate pots. Before planting in a flower bed, seedlings must be hardened.

Note! As soon as warm days are established, seedlings should be planted in a permanent place. Flowering will begin in July. If it is decided to sow the Cheerful Children immediately into the ground, this should be done in May. In this case, they will bloom not earlier than August.A couple of weeks after planting in open ground, you need to feed them with complex fertilizer. For the entire season, mini dahlias require feeding 2-3 times for better flowering. They need abundant watering, especially in a very dry summer.

Cheerful children grow up to 25-70 cm. Their leaves are bright green, stalks are strong, inflorescences in the shape of a basket reach up to 9 cm in diameter. There are simple forms and double.

These flowers are so beautiful and so easy to care for that it is simply impossible not to love them.