Among all types of dwarf flowers, the annual variety mix dahlia "Merry guys" is universal, because different colorful and very long flowering. It is a pleasure to grow these flowers, and we tell you how to do it below.
"Funny guys": description of the variety
One-year dahlias "Merry guys" are a mixture of dwarf annual dahlias, which give excellent flowering already in the year of sowing seeds. Just like all other varieties of dahlias, in the process of vegetation, flowers form tubers suitable for long-term cultivation. However, in the middle lane in which Ukraine is located, the tubers are not capable of wintering in the soil; therefore, they are practically not used for propagation of the Dahlia Guy dahlia.
"Jolly Fellows" are an excellent decorative flower, which is used not only for decorating flowerbeds, but also for decorating borders and garden paths. These flowers attract attention with strong stems, bright green leaves and large buds, which can be about 9 cm in diameter. The color of the flowers in this variety includes almost ten shades, the most common of which are: 
- white;
- pink;
- purple;
- red;
- yellow.
Did you know? The height of these dwarf dahlias is small, only 30 cm, although with careful care and good feeding, the stems of flowers are able to stretch up to 70 cm.
The flowers inside the variety mixture also differ in the shape of the inflorescences, since among them there are both simple and very lush terry. On one bush can form from 3 to 7 flowers at the same time, they can be cut off from July, although in general they are capable of pleasing the eye before the first frost.
Features landing dahlias "Merry guys"
Planting dahlias "Merry guys" may suggest different options - and sowing flowers with seedlings for seedlings, and sowing them directly into the open ground. If you live in climatic conditions, where in May the temperature of the soil warms up to 10 ° C, you can sow the flowers immediately in the flower beds. But if the warm weather comes only closer to the summer, it is much more effective to grow flowers with seedlings, which in warm weather can be planted on a previously prepared place.
Where and when to plant a plant
The main rule for planting annual dahlia "Jolly Fellows" is the choice of a sunny place, which is lit by sunlight throughout the day. Due to this, the flowers will grow evenly, their stems will be strong, albeit low. But if you sow this variety mixture in the shade, then the stems will rush towards the sunlight, as a result of which they can stretch up to 70 cm, but they will not give lush flowering (besides, they will have to be tied up).
As for the soil, these dwarf dahlias can grow on any soil, even with low humidity. It is for drought resistance that dahlias love gardeners, who cannot water their flowerbeds every day.
Important! In order for the plant to grow well and not be hit by pests and diseases that may remain in the soil from other plants, it is important to water a weak solution of potassium permanganate before sowing seeds.
Date of sowing depends on how you decided to sow them. - for seedlings or directly to the open ground. In the first case, the seeds are sown in boxes at the end of March-the beginning of April. They grow up in this form until mid-late May, depending on weather conditions, after which the seedlings can be planted in flower beds.
But when sowing in open ground, it is important to wait for heat, so the seeds are sown only in May, sometimes in late April, if the weather contributes to this. It is necessary to look closely at the first shoots regularly, to cover them for the night with the probability of frosts.
Important! Seedlings can grow in the distance3 cmfrom each other, but when the plant reaches a height of 10 cm, it will need to be passaged - transplanted into larger boxes. You can use for this special peat pots, whichthen it will be possible to dig into the soil with the plant.
How to plant "Merry guys"?
When sowing seeds they do not need to be pre-soaked or frozen. However, it is worth considering that the effectiveness of seedlings largely depends on whether the seeds ripen in the fall or not. After all, if you collect them prematurely, they may be empty. But if the seeds are bought at the store, there should be no problems.
The whole process of sowing seeds of dahlia "Merry guys" is in the following paragraphs:
- In a prepared and heated soil mixture, which can be taken directly from the flower bed, seeds are placed approximately to a depth of 2 cm.
- After sowing the seeds, the soil is abundantly watered. If sowing is carried out in boxes, then repeated watering may be needed only after 5-7 days.
- To stimulate the emergence of seedlings, flower beds or seed boxes should be covered with a film that can be removed during the daytime.
- The first shoots will appear within 7-10 days. After another week they can be thinned out.
Planting seedlings should be carried out in rows, and since these plants are quite lush, you can leave a space of about 30 cm between the rows. Between plants in the same row - 20 cm. The same rule should be used when sowing seeds of dahlia "Merry guys" in open ground. Sowing seeds so rarely is not worth it, it is better to thin the crops later and transplant.
After planting, seedlings are recommended to be watered, and the soil around them should be covered with peat mulch, to keep the moisture in the ground as long as possible. All subsequent watering should not be frequent, but should be made abundant.
Features care for dahlias varieties "Funny guys"
Dahlia dahlias, like all flowers, require care, which, however, does not imply the constant presence of a gardener at the dacha. But still With regular watering and fertilization, flowers will delight you with lush bushes and inflorescences.
Watering rules
With regard to watering the plant is not very demanding. "Happy guys" more easily tolerate drought than excessive moisture. Therefore, for adult plants, you can use almost the same irrigation pattern as for seedlings - water is recommended to make only once a week, but in sufficiently large quantities. After watering, the root space can be covered with mulch so that the water is kept longer in the soil. However, if the weather is rainy, it is better not to do this, as the roots may start to rot due to excessive moisture.
In August, the growth of flowers will stop, and they will not need watering, since they have enough natural rainfall.
Did you know? In order for the plant to preserve its vital activity and delight with flowers as long as possible, in the autumn period the roots of dahlia bushes are recommended to be covered overnight with a regular film or other nonwoven material that will not allow frost to reduce the soil temperature.
When and how to feed flowers
Dahlias do not need additional feeding, as this plant is completely undemanding to fertilizers and can successfully grow and give beautiful inflorescences even on the poorest soils. But still, to get a colorful flowerbed, it is important to dig up and fertilize the soil before planting dahlias since autumn - It is recommended to make manure or humus, which by the spring will have time to decompose and become good growth promoters.
Reproduction of dahlia "Merry guys"
As mentioned above, the “Happy Guys” dahlias are an annual plant that propagated mainly by seeds. But since the tubers are formed annually in the soil under the bushes, many gardeners use them to propagate these flowers. but tubers have one major drawback: when used, flowers can lose their decorative effect.
How and when to collect seeds?
After dahlias stop blooming, a few inflorescences should be left on the bushes so that they ripen on the seeds. If the weather conditions are no longer encouraging heat, the inflorescences are freed from the petals and gather in a warm and ventilated place to completely dry the seeds. After that, the seeds will only shake off the inflorescence and collect in paper bags.
Important! When storing seeds of dahlia "Merry guys" in paper bags and at room temperature, they can remain suitable for sowing for another 2-4 years.
It is very important not to hurry with the collection of inflorescences. After all, if the seeds do not have time to ripen, they will not give the desired seedlings, and for the new planting the seeds will have to be bought again.
Secrets of the conservation and reproduction of "Merry guys" tubers
If you do decide to dig up the annual dahlia tubers to plant them the following year, to harvest tubers should start after the first frost. To do this, just dig up the tubers of the bushes you like, remove the excess soil from them (but not all) and have time to wither the stems.
Important! When breeding dahlias with tubers, it is important to pluck all the blossoms from the bush at the moment when they start to wither. This will save more vitality in the tubers, thanks to which they will present a truly lush flower bushes next year.
The main question that gardeners ask is: how to store dahlias "Merry guys", so that their frost-sensitive tubers retain their livelihoods until the new season. Tubers are placed in a warm barn where they can dry well. It will not be superfluous to smear the roots with clay so that it retains moisture and the tubers do not dry out. Further storage of dahlias involves moving them to the basement, where they should be laid out in cardboard boxes pre-lined with heavy paper. Each tuber is desirable to separate from others with thick paper.
During the storage period, it is important to periodically inspect the tubers for rot or mildew. In the spring, all damaged areas are simply cut and processed with coal powder, after which they can be planted directly in open ground in May. Large bushes can be divided into several “delenok”, the main thing is to have live buds on them.
During planting, pay attention to the color of future plants and put the tubers not too deep, so that the base of the sprouts remains practically on the surface. By this you will ensure their fastest possible germination. Repeat this procedure can be no more than three years in a row, since in time they will begin to degenerate.
Now that you not only know how to plant but also how to save in winter dahlias "Merry guys", Your flower bed will be decorated with colorful flowers every year. Just remember that when breeding this variety mixture with tubers in a few years, “Merry guys” may lose their original color, so do not be lazy to also collect seeds from them.
