DALIA
Garden dahlia (Dahlia hybrida), also called Georgia, it is easy to grow, and at the same time a very showy plant. Unfortunately, its underground parts, bulbous thickened, they cannot withstand low temperatures and must be dug out for the winter and stored in a dry and cool room, protecting against cold. In terms of flower structure, dahlias are divided into three basic groups: pompom, decorative and cactus. Pompom dahlias have medium-sized or small flowers (4-6 cm in diameter), spherical, consisting of petals curled in a funnel, arranged very regularly and rather short. Decorative dahlias have huge flowers, with a diameter sometimes over 20 cm, petals great, wide, usually wavy or slightly curled. Cactus dahlias have medium to large flowers (diameter 10-15 cm) consisting of petals rolled into narrow tubes, sharpened at the end. The flowers are of different colors – from white to yellow, Orange, in various shades of red and dark purple, only no blue ones. They bloom from July to late fall. Dahlias grow best in fertile and sufficiently moist soils. They require sunny positions.
They are propagated by dividing the carp before planting in May or from cuttings made in a greenhouse or a warm inspection. The distances between plants, depending on the variety, are 30-80 cm. They are planted next to fences, in groups or individually. Dahlias quickly wilt in vases – Cactus and pompom dahlias stay the longest in the water. Numerous variations, depending on their application, is divided into: low (dwarf) – about height 30-60 cm, having single flowers – marginal, lingual, yellow, orange and all shades of red; short hybrids – differing slightly in height and color of flowers; high – about height 80-150 cm. They are full dahlias, differing in the structure and size of flower baskets according to the division into: pompom, decorative and cactus.
