When to get dahlias for germination?

Dahlias are loved by many flower growers due to the variety of shapes and color palette. Growing these plants is not particularly difficult, but there are some nuances here. When to get dahlias and how to germinate them? - this question is often asked by novice growers. The prepared material contains advice and recommendations from experienced amateur and professional flower growers.

When to get planting material and how to prepare it?

For germination of tubers in boxes, it is recommended to take out the planting material from the storage in the last decade of March - early April. At the same time, the planting material is being excavated, which is planned to be germinated in trenches with a film cover. Germination in boxes or trenches is practiced with the aim of obtaining seedlings (cuttings). You can also germinate dahlia tubers in plastic bags, then the excavation must be carried out 2-3 weeks before the intended planting in open ground.

The first thing that needs to be done after removing the tubers from storage is to carry out a visual inspection to remove worn-out specimens (dried out or rotten). As a rule, by this time the buds are already visible in most tubers; if they are not there, it is obvious that something happened to the tubers during storage in the winter. For the final verdict, it is necessary to cut such a copy and look at the cut. A brown cut indicates unsuitable planting material. If the tuber is alive, then the cut site must be disinfected - treated with iodine solution, brilliant green, or powdered with ash (it is better to use activated carbon). It is also necessary to cut and disinfect all sore and damaged areas.

Germination in boxes

It is better to use shallow (9-15 cm) boxes or plastic containers, in the bottom of which drainage holes are drilled. Dahlia tubers are placed in containers on a layer of moistened sawdust, peat chips or compost soil. From above, the tubers are covered with the same material, so that the root collar enters slightly above the surface of the soil (there are growth buds on it). After backfilling, the soil is well watered. The first sprouts, as a rule, should appear on the 10-12th day.

In the daytime, it is recommended to take the planting containers outside.

Germination in packages

For such purposes, it is advisable to use black garbage bags. Tubers are tightly placed in such an impromptu container, irrigated with a spray bottle, tied and placed in a dark and warm place for seven days. After a week, the bags need to be opened a little and the tubers should be sprinkled with water again. In another week, the planting material will be ready for planting.

Division of germinated tubers

Sprouted dahlia tubers can be immediately planted in a permanent place, but experienced flower growers recommend cutting them into pieces before planting. Firstly, this method can quickly multiply a valuable variety. Secondly, the rejuvenation of the planting material is achieved by division.

Cutting the tubers is carried out in such a way that you get a cut with a piece of the root collar and several sprouts.

All the resulting cuttings must be disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour, and then the cuts must be treated with wood ash. Before planting, the delenki are slightly dried.

As you can see, everything is pretty simple!