Dahlia Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained in Detail
Dahlia, also known as dahlia, Japanese chrysanthemum, dahlia chrysanthemum, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Dahlia in the Asteraceae family. It originated in 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 flower beds, flower borders, or clump planting in front of courtyards. Dwarf varieties can be grown as potted plants. Let us take a look at dahlia seed prices and planting methods together!
How much does a jin of dahlia seeds cost?
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. Dahlia seed propagation 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. Seedlings grown from seeds are vigorous, grow and develop healthily, and have strong adaptability. A large number of plants can be obtained in a short time, but flowering and fruiting are slow, the flowering period is later, and the excellent characteristics of the mother plant cannot be maintained, with a tendency to degenerate.
Dahlia Sowing Methods
1. Sowing substrate: Use a seedling tray as the sowing container for dahlias. First rinse it 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% pentachloronitrobenzene or by high temperature.
2. Sowing time: Before sowing dahlias, wash the seedling tray clean with water, and sow immediately after the water has seeped through. For hotbed sowing, 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 can begin to germinate.
3. Post-sowing management: After sowing dahlias, frequent ventilation helps the seeds germinate. After the seedlings emerge evenly, gradually remove the film and move the seedlings to a place with sufficient sunlight. Rotate the tray 180° every 2-3 days, which helps the seedlings grow upright. When the seedlings grow to 4-5 cm, transplant them.
Dahlia Planting Methods
1. Temperature management: Dahlia prefers a cool climate, with 10-25°C being most suitable. In early spring, to make it bloom earlier, keep the daytime temperature at around 25°C. If it exceeds 25°C, ventilation and cooling are necessary. When the nighttime temperature is below 10°C, the greenhouse temperature must be raised. In hot seasons, cooling measures should be taken.
2. Timely fertilization: Dahlia is a fertilizer-loving plant and must have a sufficient fertilizer supply; otherwise, the flowers tend to become smaller, the color dull, and the ornamental value reduced. Apply cake fertilizer 4-5 times according to growth conditions, preferably with light fertilizer. When the summer high temperature exceeds 30°C, fertilization is prohibited.
3. Water management: Appropriately reducing the amount of water given to dahlias helps control plant growth and promotes thick stems, shorter plants, and larger flowers. In summer high temperatures, while basically meeting its water needs, spray the leaf surface with water as much as possible, at least twice a day, to make up for evaporation loss.
4. Pinching and pruning: Keeping a single bud for a single plant can make dahlias 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 growing tips at the young stage to encourage branching. From mid-July to early August, cut back the plants.
5. Flowering control: If dahlias are to bloom in winter and early spring, sunlight and temperature must be controlled. In winter, controlling sunlight to about 14 hours and nighttime temperature above 10°C can produce cut flowers with large flowers and bright colors.
6. Cut flower harvest: For dahlias, the suitable harvest time is when the flowers are 3-4 parts open. In spring, cut the first batch of flowers leaving 2 nodes, and cut the second batch leaving 1 node. It is best to harvest in the morning or evening. After harvesting, insert them into water immediately. After the tuberous roots are harvested, store them in a dry place.
Dahlia Pest and Disease Control
1. Root nodule disease: Use 2.5 kg of 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture plus 10 g of Ceresan to water the potting soil for disinfection, with a dosage of 1 kg per sq m.
2. Brown spot disease: Spray 0.5°Be lime sulfur mixture, or spray 65% wettable zineb 500-fold solution.
3. Powdery mildew: Spray 0.2-0.3°Be lime sulfur mixture, or spray 40% folpet 500-fold solution.
4. Gray mold: Spray 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder 500-fold solution, once every 10 days or so, for 3-4 consecutive sprays.
5. Mosaic virus disease: Spray 50% malathion 1000-fold solution, 40% dimethoate 1500-fold solution, or 25% carbaryl 800-fold solution.
6. Fruit borer: Remove diseased plants promptly. Spray 4% parathion 1500-fold solution.
7. Aphids: Spray 40% dimethoate 1000-1500-fold solution or 50% menazon 1000-fold solution.
8. Red spider mites: Spray water on the leaf surface, or spray 40% dimethoate 1000-1500-fold solution.