How much do dahlia seeds cost? Latest prices and planting methods

Dahlia, also known as Dahlia pinnata, Tōyō-giku, or dahlia chrysanthemum, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Dahlia in the family Asteraceae, native to Mexico, where Mexicans regard it as a symbol of generosity and magnificence. It is now cultivated in most countries around the world and is suitable for mass planting in flower beds, along flower borders, or in front of courtyards, while dwarf varieties can be grown in pots. Now let us take a look at dahlia seed prices and planting methods!

How much is a jin of dahlia seeds?

The price of dahlia seeds is about 200-300 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on the variety and quality of the dahlia seeds. Propagating dahlias from seed is suitable for varieties that set seed easily. Seeds generally harvested in autumn are sown between February and March of the following year, at 15-20°C during the day and no lower than 12°C at night. Seedling plants grown from seed are vigorous, grow and develop healthily, and have strong adaptability, so a large number of plants can be obtained in a short time. However, they flower and set seed slowly, bloom later, cannot retain the excellent characteristics of the mother plant, and show signs of degeneration.

Sowing methods for dahlias

1. Sowing substrate: Use a seedling tray as the sowing container for dahlias, rinse it first with clean water, then disinfect it with 0.2% chlorine-free nitrobenzene. The sowing substrate is generally made from garden soil, humus soil and river sand in a ratio of 2:2:1, and is disinfected with 2% quintozene or by high-temperature sterilization.

2. Sowing time: Before sowing dahlias, wash the seedling tray clean with water, and sow immediately after the water has seeped in. For sowing in a hotbed, sow in mid to late March; for flower bed varieties, sow in the open field in late April. The seeds are all scattered on the soil surface, and after about 7 days the seeds will begin to sprout.

3. After-sowing management: Frequent ventilation after sowing dahlias helps the seeds germinate. After the seedlings emerge evenly, gradually remove the film and move the seedlings to a place with plenty of sunlight. Rotating the box 180° every 2-3 days helps the seedlings grow upright. When the seedlings reach 4-5 cm, prick them out.

How to grow dahlias

1. Temperature management: Dahlias prefer a cool climate, with 10-25°C being most suitable. In early spring, to make them bloom earlier, keep the daytime temperature at around 25°C; above 25°C, ventilation is necessary to lower the temperature. When the nighttime temperature falls below 10°C, raise the greenhouse temperature, and take cooling measures in hot seasons.

2. Timely fertilization: Dahlia is a fertilizer-loving plant and must have an adequate supply of fertilizer, otherwise the flowers tend to become smaller, the colors dull, and the ornamental value decreases. Apply cake fertilizer 4-5 times according to growth conditions, preferring light fertilizer. Do not fertilize when the summer high temperature exceeds 30°C.

3. Water management: Appropriately reducing the amount of water given to dahlias helps control plant growth and encourages thick stems, short plants, and large flowers. In summer when temperatures are high, while basically meeting their water needs, spray water on the leaves as much as possible, at least twice a day, to make up for evaporation loss.

4. Pinching and pruning: Keeping a single bud per plant allows dahlias to bloom earlier. After flowering, cut back leaving 1-2 nodes, and the new shoots that grow can continue to bloom. For varieties with poor branching, pinch the young plants to encourage branching, and from mid-July to early August, cut the plants back.

5. Flowering control: If dahlias are to bloom in winter and early spring, light and temperature must be controlled. In winter, controlling daylight to around 14 hours and the night temperature above 10°C is enough to produce cut flowers with large blooms and vivid colors.

6. Cut flower harvest: The suitable time to harvest dahlia flowers is when they are 3-4 parts open. For the first batch of flowers in spring, cut leaving 2 nodes; for the second batch, cut leaving 1 node. It is best to harvest in the morning or evening, and immediately place the flowers in water after cutting. After harvesting the tuberous roots, store them in a dry place.

Pest and disease control for dahlias

1. Crown gall: Use 2.5 kg of 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture plus 10 g of Ceresan to water the potting soil for disinfection, at a dosage of 1 kg per sq m.

2. Brown spot: Spray 0.5°Be lime sulfur mixture, or spray 65% wettable zineb 500 times dilution.

3. Powdery mildew: Spray 0.2-0.3°Be lime sulfur mixture, or spray 40% folpet 500 times dilution.

4. Gray mold: Spray 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder 500 times dilution, once every 10 days or so, for 3-4 consecutive sprays.

5. Mosaic virus disease: Spray 50% malathion 1000 times dilution, 40% dimethoate 1500 times dilution, or 25% carbaryl 800 times dilution.

6. Fruit borer: Remove diseased plants promptly, and spray 4% parathion 1500 times dilution.

7. Aphids: Spray 40% dimethoate 1000-1500 times dilution or 50% menazon 1000 times dilution.

8. Red spider mites: Spray water on the leaves, or spray 40% dimethoate 1000-1500 times dilution.