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One of the favorite flowers of summer residents can be safely called dahlias. They are grown simply to decorate the site, for cutting for a gift, some for pleasure.
After all, caring for your pets is always a joy. Dahlias grow well in fertile soil, but if you have sand or very poor land in your country house, you will have to feed the dahlias.
What fertilizers are suitable for feeding dahlias
Plants can be fed with both organic matter and mineral compositions. Mineral fertilizers are very convenient for use:
- sold ready-made;
- there are instructions for use;
- big choice.
The disadvantages of mineral dressings are:
- short-term effect;
- the need for regular feeding;
- danger of overdose.
Organic matter not only nourishes flowers, but also structures the soil, improves its fertility, and promotes the reproduction of worms and beneficial bacteria.
Among the organic species, the most popular are:
- manure (preferably cow);
- humus;
- compost;
- bird droppings;
- "Green" fertilizers (herbal infusion);
- wood ash.
The action of organic fertilizers is longer. It is good to fertilize the soil with organic matter in advance. This can be done in the fall by adding manure when digging. It is helpful to add compost before planting in an area that is prepared for flowers. It will provide the maximum nutrient composition of the soil for lush flowering and growth of dahlias. You can feed the bushes only with infusions diluted with water.
The frequency of feeding dahlias at their summer cottage
You can start feeding the plants at the time of planting. For this, compost and mineral fertilizers are added to the hole. During this period, nitrogen and phosphorus will be needed. All components are mixed with soil and carried out planting tubers.
Then the holes are mulched with fine bark.
It is recommended to feed dahlias at intervals of no more than once every two weeks. It is good for such regular feeding to use:
- infusion of mullein;
- infusion of bird droppings;
- complex mineral fertilizers;
- ready-made mixtures for fertilizing flowers.
The first time food is brought in a week after planting, but only if it is certain that the dahlias have taken root. Then maintain an interval of 10 days and repeat the procedure. Around the bush, a groove is made about 10 cm deep in diameter.
The bush is preliminarily watered, and only then the nutrient composition is added. As soon as the fertilizer is absorbed, the furrows are covered with soil.
An approximate schedule of feeding dahlias in the country
In late spring or in June, 3-4 feeding with mullein infusion is carried out. It is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Add 20 g of ammonium nitrate and superphosphate to a bucket of solution.
The second minus is that the tubers are stored worse.
In the second half of June and early July, 3 more dressings, but with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. These dressings are needed for good flowering. The inflorescences will be large and the bushes will bloom profusely. To prepare the composition, you will need 50 g of superphosphate and 2 glasses of wood ash, which are diluted in 10 liters of settled water.
August is the feeding time for tubers. One feeding is enough for their good ripening. You need to take 30 g of potassium sulfate per plant.
Dahlias respond well to feeding.
The last feeding is carried out after flowering, and then stopped. This must be done so as not to interfere with the biological rhythms of plants that are preparing for wintering.
If you are using mixes from flower shops, then feed your dahlias with organics at the start of the season anyway. With proper nutrition, they will bloom luxuriantly and for a long time, tolerate weather fluctuations well, resist diseases and pests.
