Dahlia Bulb How To Plant

Botanical name - Dahlia pinnata

Dahlia is a wonder in the plant world, that is why its flowers have a special and important place in the world. It is the main plant of the garden. There is hardly any color that is free from dahlia. Any bouquet looks desolate without dahlia just like a garden without roses. It is grown especially in America, Britain, Holland and Russia and many of its varieties have been developed in these countries.

The history of dahlia is very ancient. In 1400, it was named 'Dahlia' after a botanist named Andrew Hill. In 1615, the picture of double dahlia made by Vittalis Mascardi was seen for the first time in Russia. But at that time the name of this flower was not popular as Dahlia. In 1789, the seed of dahlia was first brought to Europe from its native country Mexico. In 1804, an Englishman from Britain first published the name and picture of dahlia in the catalogue of his nursery. Gradually, the popularity of this flower is increasing. Today, the demand for dahlia has made it a cash crop. Because it has a prominent place in flower decoration. Its flowers are exported, which also earns foreign currency. Apart from flowers, its tubers are also exported. Every year 5 crore tubers are sent from Holland for sale in the international market. Both field tubers and pot tubers are in great demand in the international market.

Botanical description - Dahlia is a plant of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. Its 28 species and 4 wild varieties are found. The chromosomes of its different species are N = 16, 17, 18, or 32, while its hybrid species have 64 chromosomes. Its plant grows straight. The stem is aquatic, hollow, thick, pulpy and there are small palm-sized leaves on both sides of the stem. Its plants grow from 10 cm to 2 meters in height. Its flowers are 5 cm to 45 cm in diameter. The roots of its plant are like tuberous sweet potatoes which are used for transplantation. Due to its shape, colour and other characteristics, dahlia is used for exhibition or for beautifying flower garden or for home decoration. It also has a dwarf variety called Border Dahlia which is more suitable for borders and beds.

Climate - Dahlia is grown in tropical temperate climate. Any flower crop requires a specific climate. If it is grown in an unsuitable climate, then in that case, flowers of desired size, shape, colour and quality will not be obtained from its plants. Dahlia generally requires a cold climate with rain. Dry and hot climate is considered to be an obstacle in its successful cultivation. On the other hand, cold and frost cause heavy damage to the crop. For this, land with open sunlight is best. The flowers are of large size which are very attractive to look at, whereas the flowers of plants grown in shade are small in size and look unattractive.

How do I Plant Dahlia tubers

Selection of land - Selection of land is a very important task for successful cultivation of dahlia. Generally, dahlia growers do not pay any attention to this, due to which they are not able to get flowers of desired size and shape, hence they should pay sufficient attention to this. Tests have shown that for getting beautiful and large sized dahlia flowers, sandy loam soil with proper drainage and alkalinity of 6 is the best. Land with too smooth and less drainage is considered to be an obstacle in its successful cultivation, because in such land, the plants are not able to develop and grow properly, as a result of which flowers of desired size, shape and colour are not obtained. If for some reason it has to be cultivated in clay soil, then in that case the structure of the soil can be improved by adding sufficient quantity of cow dung manure, rice husk and ash.

First plough the field with a tractor or soil turning plough. After that leave it in the open sun for a few days. After that add sufficient quantity of cow dung manure or leaf manure to the field and mix it well. After this make drains and beds as per the convenience of water.

Proper time of transplanting

Dahlia plantation can be divided into two parts, i.e. hilly areas and plain areas. The time of transplantation varies from one place to another. The suitable time for transplanting dahlia plants for Srinagar, Shillong, Darjeeling, Uttamand, Pithoragarh is April and May and for Bangalore, May and June are the suitable time. The suitable time for transplanting plants in Calcutta is from September to November. The time from September to December is suitable for Delhi, Lucknow, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Deodhar, Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati. October and November is the best time for Mumbai and October for Madras.

Varieties

Various varieties of dahlia have been brought from abroad and grown, which are now growing well. The names of various foreign varieties of dahlia are given below-

(A) Foreign varieties-

The varieties of this class are divided into the following three parts, viz. pompon, miniature ball and ball.

1. Pompon Varieties-

• Diana Gregory • Hall Mark

• Little Willow • Little Merion

• Rhonda • W.J.N.

• Willian Johnson • Gordon Lock Wood

• Glyn Place • Willow Surprise

• Martels Yellow • Lismore Peggy

• Pennecord Merion

2. Miniature Ball-

• Alpen Marjorie •

Downlham Royal

• Red Admiral • Nettie

• Victor D • White Nettie

• Bookside Deirdre • Sea Miss

• Koinonia • Lassie

How to Grow Dahlias from tubers

3. Ball-

• Kanora Fire Ball • L.N. Cressey

• Deep South • Wotan Cupid

• Peter Nelson • Crichton Honey

• Senior Ball • Vista

• Ruskin Gypsy Snowhoe Tammy

• Altamire Cherry

• Fiona Stewart

(B) Groups of dahlias for exhibition are as follows—

Water Lily, Anemone Flower, Coloured Fringed,

Decorative, Shoot, Cactus Semi Cactus, Miscellaneous Cactus

Method of Propagation

There are many methods of propagation of dahlias, of which seed, cuttings, tuber and armpit sprouting are the main ones. Dahlia growers can choose from these propagation methods according to their convenience. Plants grown from seeds also bring out new colours, whose images are worth seeing.

Generally, dahlia is grown from sprouted tubers and green plants. Flowers are obtained 2 to 2.5 months after planting the sprouted tubers, while flowers are obtained 3 to 3.5 months after planting the sprouted tubers. This time estimate can change drastically in case of extreme cold or sudden change in weather. Larger flowers are obtained by planting sprouted tubers. Cuttings should be 8-10 cm long. The cutting should be near the top. The cutting should be treated with IBA and then planted. The cutting can be planted in any container containing a mixture of sand and leaf compost.

Method of Transplanting

To get a higher yield of dahlias, they should always be grown in rows. To get large and attractive flowers, they should be planted at a proper distance. The distance between two plants should be kept the same for all types of varieties or large, medium or small types. This distance has been found to be 70 cm appropriate and the distance between two rows should be kept 50 cm. The method of alternate planting has been found to be the best because by doing so, each plant gets enough space due to which it gets sufficient amount of nutrients and moisture, due to which the plant develops and grows well. Ultimately, large and attractive flowers are obtained from the plants. Transplanting should be done with the help of a hoe. After planting the plant, it should be pressed well from all sides. Then it should be lightly watered. It is appropriate to water from a fountain. If the plantation has been done in a large area, then light irrigation should be done. In hilly areas, the germinated tubers are sown directly. This means that they are not first germinated by planting them in pots as is done in plain areas. In this method, the germinated tubers are planted at a fixed distance in such a way that the tubers remain about 8 cm below the ground level. Water should not be given in the first week and if necessary, a light irrigation should be done. Never plant the entire tuber. Rather, it should be divided and planted in pots to make new plants.

How to Plant Dahlia tubers

Staking the Plants

Dahlia plants should be supported as soon as possible, otherwise there is a danger of them falling. Its plants fall due to strong wind, heavy rain or excess water stagnation in the field. Bamboo sticks or any other hard wooden sticks can be used to support the plants. Bury the bamboo stalk with the plant and tie it at one place with a string in such a way that it looks like the Arabic number eight.

Supplemental Nutrition

Supplemental nutrition is required for the growth of plants and good flowering, to which dahlia growers do not pay any attention. Chemical fertilizers are mainly used in plants that are grown to beautify the garden. Whereas inorganic fertilizers are used for plants grown for exhibition. Inorganic fertilizers are also used in dahlias that are grown in pots to enhance the beauty of the house.

Usually, supplemental nutrition is given to dahlia at two times, i.e. at the time of growth of the plant, which is called 'Vardhak Poshan' and at the time of bud formation, which is called 'Vardhak Bud Poshan'. If late maturing varieties are grown, then additional nutrition is required apart from booster nutrition and bud nutrition. That quantity should be in between both the stages. But it should be kept in mind that this additional quantity should be given 10 days before the formation of first buds in the plant. In the varieties which flower again, additional nutrition should be given once about 35 days after 'bud formation', because these plants need additional nutrients for the development of new branches.

4 to 6 grams of di ammonium phosphate and 1 or 2 grams of potassium nitrate are given to each plant. The plants which are more healthy require more nutrients. Good flowers are obtained from di ammonium phosphate fertilizer, however, instead of this, grades of NPK fertilizer of 14: 28: 14 or 14: 36: 12 can also be used. Fertilizer mixture should be given in the same quantity as 'Vardhak Poshan' in the varieties which flower late. 5 to 8 grams of mixed NPK per plant should be given again after 15 days of applying fertilizer for the first time. Tests have shown that inorganic nutrition should be preferred at the time of 'bud formation'. 40 grams of Steramil (7 : 10 : 5) or Reilly Mill, 5 grams of magnesium sulphate, 3 grams of ferrous sulphate should be given to each plant at the time of bud formation. If it is decided to give it in inorganic form, then in that case 5 to 8 grams of di ammonium phosphate, 5 grams of magnesium sulphate, 3 grams of sulphate of potash and 3 grams of ferrous sulphate can be given as alternate nutrition.

All these fertilizers should be given in granular form, which should be given by the ring method. A 5 cm wide and 5 cm deep furrow should be made around the plant at least 15 cm diameter. The supplementary fertilizer should be spread evenly in this ring and covered with soil from above. The ring can be formed with the help of a hoe - this work should be done when there is sufficient moisture in the soil. After applying granular fertilizers, irrigate as required.

How do I Plant Dahlias

Stopping

Stopping is an extremely important method to obtain more and bigger flowers from the dahlias grown in the beds. In this method, when the plants grow to about 20 cm height, the growing part is pinched off 2 cm in length from the top. This leads to the growth of lateral branches on which more flowers bloom. In big dahlias, 3-4 branches are left and in cactus type, 8-10 branches are left. Due to pinching the upper part, the nutrition given for the growth of the flowers is distributed among the lateral branches, as a result of which their development and growth is more and finally more buds are formed due to which more flowers are obtained. Therefore, dahlia growers must adopt this method.

Disbudding

Disbudding is a very important task for the growth of dahlia, quality of flowers, large size and beautiful flowers. In dahlia, usually three apical buds grow together. The central bud is larger than the companion buds. The central bud of each branch is left to grow. These buds are plucked when they can be plucked. The plucking is done with fingers. Keep in mind that while plucking the buds, the central bud should not be damaged in any way because the branches are not plucked. Hence, more new branches develop and the central buds are allowed to remain on them. Hence, more flowers are obtained. Thus, flowers are obtained in the garden for a longer period.

Weed Control

Many weeds grow in dahlia beds, which compete for nutrients, moisture, sunlight, space and air from the soil. Apart from this, they also provide shelter to insects and diseases due to which high quality flowers are not available. Therefore, weeding should be done as per the need. Dahlia is a shallow rooted crop, hence deep weeding should not be done. Generally, weeding should be done at an interval of 10 days.

Plucking of Flowers

At what stage and at what time the flowers should be cut is a very important issue which is usually given less attention. Cutting of flowers depends on the purpose of growing them. If you are cutting flowers for pot exhibition, then they should be cut in the morning. Flowers should be cut at as long a length as possible. Cutting should be done at an angle of 45° and the cut stems should be immediately placed in a bucket filled with water. The bucket containing flowers should be kept in a cool and clean place, so that the flowers do not get soil or dust. While making a pot with flowers, the stems should be cut as per the need when they need to be shortened.

Remove shoots and side shoots

To get flowers of desired size, shape and colour, shoots and side shoots coming out from near the roots of dahlia plants should be removed. Dahlia growers generally do not pay attention to this, due to which the development and growth of the plant is adversely affected.

Plant Protection

Dahlia plants are often attacked by insects and diseases, due to which the development, growth and frequency of the plants are adversely affected. Therefore, to protect the plants from these, necessary plant protection measures should be adopted, a brief description of which is given below.

Powdery Mildew

This disease is caused by a type of fungus due to which white or brown powder appears on the upper surface of the leaves. This disease occurs more in the initial stage and occurs again when the flowers stop blooming. Due to this disease, the ends of the seeds rot. This disease should be prevented as soon as it occurs.

How do You Plant Dahlia

Prevention

Spray by dissolving 2 grams of Bavistin, Moreston or Benlate per liter of water. One of these medicines should be used. If none of these medicines is available, then use soluble sulfur (2 grams per liter of water).

Charcoal Rot

This disease causes more damage to dahlia in hot and rainy weather. This disease occurs at the base of the main stem and all branches. If it is not prevented on time, the plant dies.

Prevention

Captan (2 grams per liter) should be sprayed on the soil every week.

Insect Pests

Aphids and thrips especially damage dahlia plants. Both of these suck the juice from different parts of the plant. Their prevention should be done on time.

Prevention

Rogor (2.5 ml/liter water) should be sprayed.

Collection of Seed & Tubers

Collecting dahlias and tubers is a very important task. Dahlia flowers stop blooming in March-April. At this time, seeds of selected flowers can be collected. Tubers can be taken out from pre-determined double flowering plants and stored in a safe and suitable place for the next season. Irrigation should be stopped some time before taking out the tubers. The tubers should be uprooted and dried in the shade. The tubers should be kept in boxes in dry and cool places by putting dry sand or sawdust in them.