Package of Practices for Growing Dahlia
Botanical Name: Dahlia variabilis
Family: Compositae.
Dahlia is one of the most important garden plants. Multitude of colours great variation in sizes attractive shapes, many forms, profusion of flowering and easy cultivation have made them immensely popular. It was abbo Cavanilles who gave the bonus the name Dahlia in 1791.
Importance and Use:
Dahlia unquestionably occupies a place of pride in any garden any where. They are easy to grow both in ground and pot, and are extensively used for exghibition, garden display and hime decoration. Large flowering Dahlias in pots are popular for terrace garden or varandeh display.
The are certain medicinal and nutritional used of dahlia.
Varieties:
Gint Decarative : African quean purple to crimson. Alvas Suprome-Yellow.
Large decorative : Alden Galaxy Rod, Arthur Hambly –rosy lavender.
Medium decorative : April Dawn-Pink and white blend.
Small decorative : Burtardotunch-Yellow bends.
Miniature decorative : Cristine Hammett-agricot.
Soil and Climate:
Dahlias grow well in rich and porous soil. Well drained, deep fortile, pH 6.5, open and sunny place, coll atmosphere free from frost is required.
Propagation:
Dahlias are propagated form seeds, tuberous roots and cuttings. Multiplication by grafting is also possible. Propagation through moristem culture may be used for producing virus-free plants.
Soil Preparation:
Dahlias are grown both in pots and in gowund. The ground should be dug and manured a gew weeks before planting. About 5 kg of FYM per m2 should be mixed thoroughly with the slil.
Planting:
Dahlias are generally planted in Sept-Oct. In the plains, and in April in the hills. The planting distance will vary according to the type i. c. about 75 cm in case of tail, large flowered types, 60 cm for medium sized plants and 30 to 45 cm in case of dwarf cultivars.
Manuring and Fertilization:
Proper nutrition is essential for successful cultivation of dahlia.
40 kg N, 50 kg p2 o5 and 40 kg K2O per acre were optimum for flower yield.
Staking:
Support should be given to each plant immediately after they have started growth, as new growth is somewhat soft and liable to be affected by strong wind.
Mulching and Weeding:
Mulching is an important operation in dahlia cultivation. This can be donc with grass chipping, old hay and sawdust showing several beneficial effects/
Pinching:
When dahlia plants are grown from tubers, except the strongest, one all shoots appearing form the tuber are removed. To force branching, pinching is to be one as soon as two or three pairs of leaves appear.
Pruning and Disbudding:
If the branches threaten to become a thick mass, the shoots are thinned to keep the centre of the bushes open. To het the largest bloom, all bids exdept the centre bud all the lateral branches should be rovoved.
Harvesting:
Blooms are cut in the carly morning, the sun being avoided by all means, and kept immediately in a container half lled with water. The flowers should be cut with aslong cm is possible.