Dahlias in winter: basic issues
How to care for dahlias in winter? these, also called georginias, are unfortunately not able to overwinter in winter conditions. This should not be surprising, because they come from Central America and can be found in nature, e.g. in Panama or Colombia. Due to the lack of resistance to temperatures below 0 degrees C, dahlias should be dug out of the ground before frost. When exactly does this need to be done? Unfortunately, it is difficult to indicate exactly. Frost damage to the green part is usually assumed to be a signal for rapid relocation.
How to prepare dahlias for winter? Initial work with plants
How to prepare dahlias for winter so that next season they can grow beautifully again and delight your eyes with magnificent flowers? First of all, you need to do some preliminary work with . Their goal will be to keep the dahlias in good condition during winter.
The destruction of above-ground parts by frost is a signal to prune them. The shoots should be shortened to a length of 10 to 15 cm. Naturally, flower remains, damaged shoots and anything that could be a good breeding ground for the development of diseases or molds should be removed.
Then you need to dig up the dahlia roots. You have to be quite careful: it’s best to start by prying them up and then gently pull them out of the ground. They should not be washed with water. Rotting or visibly damaged elements are also removed from underground parts.
Dahlia care in winter: drying
How should you continue caring for dahlias in winter? After digging and preliminary preparation, proceed to the drying stage. This is important due to the need to stop vegetation. After drying, it is necessary to inspect the plants one more time for:
- presence of diseases and pests (sick rootstocks are removed);
- removal of mechanically damaged parts;
- shaking off the remaining soil from the tubers.
How to store dahlias for the winter? The right place
How to store dahlias in winter? Choosing the right place for this is key. In the case of dahlias, it should be a dark place, without heating, but at the same time with a temperature above 0 degrees C. The best temperature is about 5 degrees C. Most often, dahlias are stored in basements or garages without heating. It is worth considering the choice of location carefully, because dahlias will remain in such conditions for an exceptionally long time. They are planted into the ground around May 15 – then the risk of frost is negligible.
A frequently recommended way to store dahlias is to place them in openwork boxes. It is a good idea to line them with newspaper so that you can cover the rootstocks with a small amount of soil, peat or sand. Wicker baskets also work well as containers. Before placing them in a wintering place, they must be well marked so that in spring it will be possible to create a color composition that suits us in the garden.
We must not forget that during the winter period it is necessary to check the condition of the carp from time to time. The inspection allows you to remove those that, for example, show signs of disease.
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
