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Dahlias can be found on every site. The greatest variety of species is divided according to the shape, structure and degree of doubleness of the flower. Among the varieties that summer residents are currently growing, a special place is occupied by the pomponnaya dahlia - a very spectacular flower. Its spherical inflorescences reach a diameter of about 7 cm. The difference from other dahlias is clearly noticeable in the shape of the petals, which are rolled into a tube along their entire length. In some varieties, they wrap inward and overlap, resembling roof tiles.
Dahlia pompon, which has a very wide variety of color of inflorescences, still does not have a blue color. But it can surprise with the overflow of tone that changes from edge to center of the flower, or vice versa.
In shape, the pompom dahlia looks like a short bush with strong shoots.
Beautiful oval leaves harmoniously frame the fluffy inflorescences. Among the features of the varieties of pompom dahlias, one should note their sensitivity to frost. As soon as there is a sudden drop in temperature in the fall, the leaves and flowers of the dahlia immediately die off. But in the summer they delight the whole season with their bright spherical inflorescences.
An amazing pompom flower is grown from seeds. This process is within the power of even novice flower growers.
Growing pompom dahlias
The very first step is to find a place for a flower bed with beautiful flowers. Although many people like to grow pompom dahlias as a framing or border. In any case, you will have to find a sunny area with nutritious soil. If the place is known in advance, then in the fall, apply organic soil so that in the spring there is less hassle with fertilizers.
Now we need to choose a variety of pompom flowers that are suitable for decorating a summer cottage. Dahlias are grown as perennials and annuals. If you don't feel like fiddling with digging out tubers or storing them, then growing them annually from seed is a good option.
Many gardeners, in general, prefer the seedling method for pompom dahlias. In this case, dahlias are planted earlier in open ground than with direct sowing. As a result, they bloom much earlier.
For one-year cultivation, seeds of pompom dahlias are sown in early April. If you are sowing a variety already familiar to you and want to continue growing it, then the sowing is postponed to the beginning of March. Then the plants will have time to form small tubers, ready for storage and planting for the next season.
To sow seeds of pompom dahlias for seedlings, you will need soil mixture, containers and seeds.
We start sowing
It is necessary to fill the container with soil for seedlings of pompon dahlias. A purchased one or a mixture of sand, humus and sod land in equal proportions is suitable. Another option is peat, sand, perlite.
The soil is calcined, disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, "Fitosporin" or other drugs of the same group.
The seeds of these flowers are not small, so sowing them is not problematic. Two pompom dahlia seeds are placed in one tablet.
The soil is moistened and the dahlia seeds are spread on the surface, sprinkled with soil a little and pressed down. Moisten slightly with a spray bottle and cover the container with glass or foil.
In order for the dahlia seeds to germinate on time and in harmony, they will have to provide them with a temperature of at least 26 ° C. If you have planted several varieties, mark their seedlings with labels or colored bookmarks.
After a week, maximum 10 days, seedlings will appear. As soon as this happened, immediately remove the film or glass and transfer the container to a lighted place. In cloudy weather, light up the seedlings, otherwise you will get elongated seedlings.
If the seedlings of the dahlia turned out to be thickened, make a pick. Although this procedure is recommended for any type of seedling. The pompom dahlia is no exception. Diving will improve conditions for the growth of the root system and allow the seedlings to grow stronger. It is carried out in the phase of two to four true leaves.
Before picking seedlings of pompom varieties, the soil is disinfected with a hot solution of potassium permanganate. Its composition must be identical to the soil in which the seeds were sown.
Now the seedlings need competent care. Watering should be moderate. With stagnant water or waterlogging, seedlings of pompon dahlias can suffer from a fungal infection.
Before planting in the ground, it is better to harden the seedlings. This will help them to more easily adapt to new conditions and settle down faster. Seedlings of pompom varieties are planted in the warmed-up ground and when the possibility of recurrent frosts has passed. When transplanting, they try not to destroy the clod of earth around the roots. In the early days, the bed is covered from the night temperature drop.
Further care of the plants consists of watering, fertilizing (if necessary).
Water pompom dahlias as the soil dries up, avoiding waterlogging. It must be remembered that excessive moisture causes fungal diseases in dahlias, and a deficiency leads to drying out of the foliage.
Varieties of pompom dahlias for summer cottages
"Mix of colors"
Dahlia pompom "Mix of colors" differs among its counterparts in bright inflorescences and duration of flowering. The height of the bush is about a meter, therefore, in order to get flowering in July, it is better to grow it in seedlings. One bag of seeds is guaranteed to contain terry flowers of different colors. It will delight you until October with lush flowers. The distance between plants is from 30 to 50 cm. The first or central flowers are weakly double.
In order to get high-quality inflorescences in the future, it is better to remove them. In the same way, it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences in time. They require weeding at the beginning of growth and periodic feeding. When sown early, they form tubers that allow the cultivar to be grown like a perennial.
"Terry ball"
One-year varieties include pompom dahlia "Terry ball". The diameter of the inflorescences in the mixture ranges from 5 to 7 cm. The stems are strong, not bending, and perfectly hold the inflorescences. Among the features of the variety, it should be noted resistance to unfavorable climatic conditions. Loves warmth and light, fertile and drained land. It can be grown both by seedlings and by sowing in the ground. It blooms all summer, responds well to fertilizing and loosening the soil.
A few more varieties of pompom dahlias for growing in summer cottages:
"White Nordlicht"
Yellow "Crumb" with rowan ends
"Gretchen Heine" in light pink color
Tall representatives:
"Ankress"
"Fatima"
Dwarf varieties:
Willo's Surprise
"Small World"
Conclusion
Choose for your site the variety of pompom dahlias you like. It will not be difficult to grow them, and the beauty and comfort in the country will immediately increase. Many species are so attractive that they become favorite flowers and are constantly grown.
