Description of the dahlia variety Merry guys, cultivation technology and care
Many growers are engaged in the cultivation of dahlias Funny guys, as this variety is unpretentious in care. The plant got its name thanks to its brightly colored buds, which, by their appearance, create a festive and joyful atmosphere around.
Appearance and characteristics of dahlia Funny guys
These annual flowers are dwarf dahlia varieties that grow up to 25 centimeters. Experts advise growing them in the southern regions, as they do not tolerate low temperatures well.
The main distinguishing feature of the variety is considered to be its strong stems and powerful root system, which is resistant to decay. The leaves of the Cheerful Guys are colored bright green. However, dahlias with dark red flowers can have burgundy leaves. The color of the petals is also different, and therefore you should not be surprised that one part of the flowers is red or lilac, and the other is burgundy or pink.
If you plant dahlias correctly, you can get friendly shoots that will bloom at the same time in the future.
Florists are advised to regularly trim the bushes so that they do not grow to 35-40 centimeters. This will speed up the appearance of flowers 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.
The advantages of the Funny Guys include:
- A variety of flowers. It is no secret that the inflorescences of the variety can have petals of different colors. This allows you to choose a dahlia color that fits perfectly into the flower bed.
- Long bloom. It is the long flowering that is the main factor because of which people plant them on their plots. If you regularly take care of the bushes, they will bloom from mid-summer to the first night frosts.
- Compactness. The plant does not grow even with abundant watering and fertilization. On average, the bushes grow up to 20-60 centimeters in height.
- Ease of growing. Dahlias are undemanding to care, they will bloom even in dry weather and a lack of nutrients.
- Drought tolerant. Many flowers need to be watered regularly in order for them to bloom in the future, but dahlia bushes can easily tolerate drought and hot weather.
- Disease resistance.The plant has a strong root system and good immunity, which protects it from most viral and fungal diseases.
The Merry Guys have fewer drawbacks than merits. These include the following:
- the need to periodically dig up the plant, since it is annual;
- slow growth of bushes planted in shaded areas;
- poor resistance to low temperatures.
Growing specifics
Before planting the Funny 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 to plant in heavy and sandy soils, since the 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 help flowers grow. Lime is added to the soil with a high acidity level 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, since the growth of flowers depends on it. The plant should be grown in a well-lit area with good wind protection. 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 time for planting the seed. Since the variety does not cope well with frost, seeds are planted in late April or May, when the temperature is above freezing.
A few days before planting, the site is cleared of weeds and leveled. Then 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 up to 7-10 centimeters, they are planted in a flower bed. Seedlings are transplanted very carefully so as not to accidentally damage its young roots.
General care rules
These flowers need attention and therefore you need to figure out how to care for them.
Watering
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, soil moistening is done 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 droppings and a solution made from mullein. Next time, the soil is fertilized with superphosphate and other mineral dressings.
Features of wintering tubers
Experts recommend digging up tubers in winter and transferring them to a warm room for wintering. However, some gardeners decide to leave them in the ground. In this case, the flowerbed will have to be insulated with coniferous branches and fallen leaves.
Diseases and pests
Sometimes the flowers are attacked by pests, get sick with fusarium and brown rot. To protect the planted seedlings, you will have to regularly spray them with fungicides and Bordeaux mixture. It is best to carry out the treatment with rubber gloves so as not to damage the skin.
Collection and storage of seeds
Many are interested in how to preserve tubers so that they do not deteriorate in winter. Tubers are dug up in the fall, after the first frosts appear at night.All harvested tubers are cleaned of dirt, dried and shortened to 5-8 centimeters. After cutting, the cut points are wrapped in foil so that the decay process does not begin.
To store the dug tubers, they choose warm rooms with a high-quality ventilation system. 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 the dahlias are stored in a room with a high level of humidity, the tubers will have to be pre-treated with a clay mixture. For its preparation, 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 forms on their surface, which will protect the plant from moisture and prevent rotting.
You can also wrap the 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 preserve even the smallest and weakened tubers.
The role of annuals in landscape design
Dahlias are quite beautiful flowers and therefore are used in landscape design. To decorate the site, they are planted with other compact flowers. From them, you can create beautiful flower beds, flower beds and flower borders. Experienced flower growers recommend planting them next to asters, petunias and marigolds.
Conclusion
Funny 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 understand the basic recommendations for planting and growing flowers.
