How to store dahlias in the winter in the underground. How to store dahlias in the winter at home

It is impossible to imagine a modern flower garden without huge terry hats of dahlias, which adorn it from mid-summer until the very frost. Breeders deduced a large variety of species and varieties that differ in both the color of the buds and the shape of the petals.

Dahlias are perennial plantsbut so that they thrive in bloom and in next year   it is required with the onset of cold weather to dig up their tubers in order to save the plants from freezing. After all, the first frosts hardly hit, the bushes of these luxurious flowers are a sad sight, and this is only the ground part.

The same thing happens with root crops - they just freeze and die. To prevent this from happening with your pets, you need to know how to keep dahlias at home in the winter.

How to prepare dahlia tubers for wintering?

First you need to decide when to dig up the tubers, because their storage during the winter period depends on it. There is an opinion that you should dig the tubers as soon as the temperature drops to 0 ° C, but not lower.

You should choose a warm sunny day, because when it is cold, the nodules can be frozen and spoiled even before storage. Because planting material   very fragile, all actions should be done as carefully and slowly as possible so as not to damage the plants.

In the ground, the dahlia tubers occupy a fairly large area, about 50 cm in diameter, which means that in order to dig them up you will need to move about 40 cm from the stem of the plant and dig a hole deep enough to extract the whole earthen room. The plant should be left with a root neck about 15 cm long, trying not to break it off or damage it.

After the tubers have been dug, they are washed in a large amount of water to free them from the ground, and then immersed for 30 minutes in a low-mortar solution for disinfection.

Next, the tubers are dried in the sun and separated with a spade or a clean, sharp knife, while cutting off small roots. The largest “potatoes” should be chosen for storage, as the most high-quality flowers are obtained from them.

At what temperature do dahlias keep in winter?

Plants will feel best when the ambient temperature is not lower than 5 ° C and not higher than 12 ° C. After all, if it is smaller, it can lead to the death of tubers. A higher, contributes to untimely germination, depriving the plants of the rest period.

To store this planting material, you need enough space, because there will be plenty of them. Although most often flower growers prefer to leave only a couple of nodules of each variety, and distribute the rest to neighbors or utilize, because such a plant as dahlia is quite prolific and grows into a large bush by autumn.

Most often, plants are saved in the basement or on. Both this and that method is appropriate if the tubers are properly prepared and the air temperature is optimal for this.

There are many options for storing tubers in the winter. For this use river sand, peat, sawdust, or store tubers simply in plastic boxes that allow the plants to be ventilated and not to peel, as it happens in various bulk materials adapted for storage. It is very important that the humidity of the room is not higher than 60%, otherwise the plants will not live until spring and rot.

How to keep dahlias in the fridge?

Usually in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator just the optimal temperature and humidity for storing tubers. To protect them from drying and spoilage, each nodule is wrapped in food cling film and numbered for convenience so as not to confuse the variety. This method is suitable for those who have free space in their fridge.

How to store dahlias in the winter in the apartment?

Those who do not have a basement and extra space in the refrigerator can be advised to store the tubers in sawdust or sand on a relatively warm balcony, where the air temperature is not higher than 10 ° C.

Bright, beautiful, lush dahlias - a real decoration of any garden. These plants delight in their flowering from mid-summer until frost. But in order to repeat such beauty next year, it is necessary to know how to properly store the tubers of these flowers in the winter at home before spring planting.

Preparing for wintering begins even before the onset of the very first frosts in autumn, which are very dangerous for plants.

During a minor freeze, not only the ground part can suffer, but also root system. Such planting material will not be preserved until spring. Therefore, before the approach of cooling need to spud every bush, this procedure will warm the tubers.

Next you need to look at the weather conditions before the onset of winter. As soon as the first frost comes, the dahlia foliage will turn black and dry. When this happens, you need a sharp knife. cut off all the stems, leaving 8-10 cm to the ground.

The remaining varieties can be attached to the remaining stumps for easy storage after cleaning. After trimming the ground part, if the precipitation is not predicted, the tubers can sit in the ground for another 5-7 days.

Then them need to dig. To make a digging correctly, use the following tips:

• Dig around the stem in the distance about 20 cm.
• Using a pitchfork or a sharp shovel, pry and lift each root. Do not pull the bulbs out of the ground for the remaining stems.
• Rinse all tubers under running water, thoroughly washing away the remaining soil.
• Process each root pale potassium permanganate solution.
• Damaged places of tubers and roots, cut off small nodules, sprinkle with cuts with ash or treat with green paint.

Preparing for wintering at home

Dahlia must be dried before storing.

This can be done in the greenhouse, on the balcony or veranda. Warm living quarters will not work, as the roots will quickly shrivel. After 4-5 days, the roots dry out.

Then recommended process dahlias with fungicides. This procedure will help to avoid the appearance of pathogenic microorganisms from which the plants can die. This is done either with a dry preparation (the roots are slightly powdered), or in solution (the roots sink completely into the liquid).

How to treat the solution:

• So that the roots do not rot during storage, you can add insecticide to fungicides.
• Every grade process in a separate containerby signing it in advance.
• Tubers that float to the surface need to be removed, since they will not be suitable for planting.
• To carry out processing in rubber strong gloves to avoid burns of hands from drugs.

With this treatment, the likelihood of plant diseases is reduced to almost zero. Solution holding time 15-20 minutes. After that, the roots must be laid out on a wooden surface, thick paper, cardboard and dried.

It is better to immediately decompose the dahlias in varieties, so that they will not be confused. After drying, dahlias can be marked with a special chemical marker or pencil.

How to store tubers in a city apartment in winter

Winter dahlias placed in the basement or cellar are best tolerated.

Optimal temperature from 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, with humidity up to 70%. The room or city apartment must also have adequate ventilation. Tubers are recommended to be stored in wooden or plastic boxes.

Place the roots in the box as follows:

• Drawer bottom cover with paper   (old newspapers, cardboard).
• Pour a layer of dry earth.
• Lay tubers loosely so that they do not touch each other.
• Top with a small layer of dry soil. You can use dry sand or sawdust.
• Cover the boxes with paper.

Then the boxes are placed in the cellar or basement on the shelves. Pre-racks must be sprinkled with a layer of sand. This is the most common storage method.

But there are more storage options:

• To make ordinary clay slurry, add potassium permanganate and copper sulfate to it. Dip each tuber into the mash, dry, place in a cloth bag. Then decompose into boxes.
• Drop each root in hot paraffin. When cool, wrap in paper and store in drawers. Before planting paraffin to remove.

If there is no possibility to store dahlias in the cellar, you can consider apartment options:

1. Roots put in plastic bagwhich is filled with dry peat or sphagnum. Store bags in a cool closet or insulated balcony.
2. Treat the tubers with dry wood ash, place in dense cellophane, fill them with air and tie them up. Then place in a cool place.
3. A small number of plants can be placed in the refrigerator.

Dahlia decorate the gardens with its bright and lush flowers in summer and autumn. Therefore, many gardeners are trying to preserve the grown crop of dahlia tubers until spring. Some have difficulty keeping rhizomes in winter. After all, the further quality of the plants depends on properly prepared winter storage.

As soon as the first autumn frosts began, and the leaves of flowers began to die, you can begin digging the tubers. If you tighten with it, then strong frosts can destroy the leaves and stems. As a result, they will begin to die and rot. As a result, rotten stems will spread to the roots.

Tubers must be kept from beautiful and large bushes. Rhizomes of weak and thin bushes will not take root. To avoid breaking it, the flower stalks must be broken or cut before digging.

When trimming the stems, leave the stumps in the size of 20-30 cm. This is done for convenience as well as not to damage the root neck. Then the bush gently undermine the shovel. Even if the digging damaged the tubers, do not be upset, they will still be shortened.

Next, dig out the bush shake off the ground and rinse with water. Excess shoots from tubers can be cut with scissors. Tubers should be shortened by about 15 cm. If possible, process the tubers with a solution of fungicide. Then you can divide the rhizomes.

Stems cut almost to the base of the tubers. Each separated tuber must have buds present. If the tubers are very hard and have underdeveloped buds, then you can leave them entirely.

  They can be used for grafting. Each office should be inspected for damage and signs of disease. If there are dark brown or rust spots, they must be removed.

At the initial stage of infection can be noticed white bloom   on tubers. If nothing is done, the tuber will infect other planting materials and will not survive until spring.

Before putting into storage, it is advisable to leave the roots of a flower for 10 days in a room with a low but positive temperature. This is done to prevent the skin from sticking and the healing of superficial wounds on tubers.
Dahlia tuber storage methods

In order for the dahlia tubers to successfully winter, they need to create all the necessary conditions. Before placing the tubers in boxes or containers, leave them to dry for a while.

Store tubers can be on the shelves. This method is quite simple and it can be used by novice gardeners. Add sand to the shelves and place the prepared dahlia tubers. They must first be put in boxes and poured with any materials.

After that, put the rhizomes in the prepared bags. They are filled with a special mixture - vermiculite, which is intended for storage. It is important to tie the bags well.

In addition to vermiculite already experienced gardeners   used to store moss. Planting material is wrapped in moss and laid out in packages. However, as a material for wintering it is used with caution. Dry moss pulls moisture from the plant, and wet moss can lead to decay.

To maintain constant humidity, it is necessary to pour tubers with sand, sawdust, peat, needles, etc. You can cover it with a newspaper, put it in plastic or wooden boxes. Cover the bottom of the box with any paper, and old newspapers will do. You can use plastic wrap.

From above fill up with dry earth a thin layer. Then put the tubers and sprinkle with earth. On the same technology to lay the next row of tubers. Do not allow the tubers to come into contact with each other, as this may lead to infection. After that, cover the box and put it in the basement or cellar.

Another way to store rhizomes with the use of clay talkers. This method helps to protect the tubers from drying out. It is prepared as follows: the usual red clay to fill with water, so that the consistency resemble sour cream.

Add copper sulphate and potassium permanganate in the same amount to the clay solution and mix well. Lumps should not be. Each tuber is dipped in a cooked talker, taken out and left to dry. Then put in the bags and put in a box according to the above technology.

The third method of storing tubers is made using paraffin. The procedure of waxing is quite time-consuming. To do this, you need paraffin, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or paraffin candles. It should be heated to a temperature of 70-80 degrees.

Heat candles in a water bath until a liquid mass is obtained. Drain tuber from all sides. As a result, the rhizome should be completely covered with a layer of paraffin. Leave them cool. This procedure should be performed with each tuber.
After that, each grade individually wrap film, pack in paper or box. In the spring, paraffin is removed and the tubers are prepared for planting.
The method of waxing protects the tubers from the adverse effects of external factors. This method is usually used for early varietieswhich in December or January begin to germinate.
Storage conditions for dahlia tubers

Store tubers should be at a temperature not higher than 7-10 degrees. Humidity in the room should be about 70-80%. A cellar, a balcony and other places that meet these indicators will be suitable for storage.

Boxes with tubers can not be placed near the heating devices and drafts.
In winter, you must regularly monitor the tubers, check the humidity and temperature. Festering places should be cut, and then covered with coal and dried in the air. After that, lay back.

In case of excessive moisture, the bags should be opened and left for ventilation.
Paper or newspapers should be put in cardboard and wooden boxes. This will prevent the lack of moisture. If you use plastic bags, then it is necessary to make holes in them.

Dahlia tubers should only be stored in a cool place. If it is a balcony, then before the onset of frost should be removed rhizomes to another location. It is not recommended to store rhizomes of dahlia together with potatoes.

Ensure that the planting material does not dry out and does not freeze. If the tubers shrink and shrivel, then periodically moisturize them. In the spring rhizomes are transferred to a warm place. Increasing the temperature helps the kidneys to wake up.

Knowledge of all the subtleties in storage of dahlia tubers in the winter will allow you to admire lush bloom   all summer.

Wounding dahlias can cause some concern to beginning flower growers, especially if there was once a bad experience, and planting material has partially or completely disappeared. This happens if the storage conditions of dahlias are violated. And they are: constant air temperature from + 3 ° C to + 6 ° C with a humidity of 55-70%. It is this temperature and humidity that are stored in the basements.

You are reading the continuation of the article “How to save dahlias?” Step three: storing dahlias in the winter.

Storage of dahlias in the basement.

Before putting into storage, pure dahlia tubers are kept for 15-30 minutes in a strong solution of potassium permanganate, dried and placed in a basement on wooden flooring, shelves, boxes or boxes. Even unseparated nests of dahlias can be stored in the basement, as there is enough space. Tubers of dahlias are poured with sawdust (preferably coniferous) or sand, laying 1-2 rows. Dahlias can simply be wrapped in paper and folded in a box or box. The main task in storing dahlias is to protect them from rotting, drying out, freezing, premature germination and eating by rodents. To do this, once a month dahlias browse. Tubers with signs of decay are removed, small lesions are cut to healthy flesh, wounds are burned with green, a strong solution of potassium permanganate or another fungicide, sand (or sawdust) is replaced with a new one. The cellars are periodically ventilated so that air does not stagnate in them and the infection does not spread. When wrinkling the tubers (a sign of desiccation), they and the sand (sawdust) are moistened with sprayers, watering cans. At excessive moistening of the substrate (rotting begins), the air humidity decreases, the storages are ventilated, sand or sawdust is replaced with dry. In case of premature germination of dahlias, they are exposed to the light so that sprouts do not stretch, if necessary, they are planted in pots with soil. Considerable damage to dahlias can cause rodents. They are saved from them in the usual ways and techniques.

In the photo: Dahlia (Dahlia, Dahlia, Dahlia). Bicoloured dahlias.

Storing dahlias in a clay shell.

If the basement is dry and the tubers are wrinkled, try keeping the dahlias in a clay casing. Dip the prepared tubers (washed, dried, processed fungicide) in thick, like sour cream, clay mash with the addition of any fungicide. After drying until crusting and fold into 2-3 rows in the box. In the spring of tapping the crust, smash and plant dahlias.

Storage of dahlias in food film.

In recent years, experienced dahlia growers are increasingly using a new method of storing dahlias in a food film. The method has many advantages, including allows you to save even the thin dahlia roots. The method is suitable for cool basements with a constant plus temperature not higher than + 7 ° C. The absence of temperature fluctuations prevents the formation of condensation inside the film. The method is convenient, simple, gives minimal losses from rotting, the tubers take up very little space (some tubers can be stored in the refrigerator). When storing, the tubers do not dry out and do not fade, do not require checking in winter, as they are reliably insulated against each other. The essence of the method is as follows: the prepared delicacies are treated with fungicide and dried (liquid fungicide) for an hour. After one by one, the tubers are wrapped in food film with an "envelope", reporting a new tuber at each turn (bend) of the film. The result is a compact bundle with 5-6 tubers inside. The end of the film is fixed with adhesive tape, tape. For each grade, make your own bundle, mark it with a marker and placed in a box. In spring, the film is torn apart. Dahlia without buds are germinated on wet sawdust.

Storage dahlia in the apartment.

Not everyone who wants to grow dahlias has a basement. Sometimes only a loggia or apartment room is available. But even in this case, it is possible to keep dahlias even at a temperature sometimes reaching + 20 ° C. In the apartments they store dahlias already cut into delenki, because here we are limited in space. When cutting a delicacy, hemp is often used to remove it. It is believed that he begins to rotting dahlia. The stump is removed immediately after digging, gently scraping its skin and flesh with a knife until the root collar appears (it is not touched). After that, the tubers are dried for 3 hours in air, kept for half an hour in a strong solution of potassium permanganate (or another fungicide) and dried again. Prepared roots are placed in a box (for example, from under shoes), sprinkled with sand. The box is placed in a plastic bag and stored until frost on the balcony, and in sub-zero temperatures in the apartment near the balcony door.

Storing dahlias in vermiculite, perlite.

In apartments, dahlia tubers are stored in plastic bags with small holes for air, sprinkled with dry sand, sawdust, peat, vermiculite libo perlite. Packages are located in the coolest places of the apartment, for example, at the balcony door. The pesoktsezhel, well absorbs moisture, so the germination of tubers in it begins a little earlier. Vermiculite retains moisture well, is easy to use, protects the tubers from drying out, but at high humidity causes early germination of tubers. Perlite, on the contrary, takes moisture from tubers, draining them, which is undesirable, its dust is harmful to breathing.

Storage of dahlias in paraffin waxing

It is very convenient to store dahlias in paraffin in apartments. Paraffin inhibits the germination of tubers, therefore it is particularly suitable for overgrowth varieties. Tubers of dahlias no later than a day after digging out twice, with a break for hardening, immerse the paraffin melted in a water bath to a temperature of + 60 ° C. Tubers in the hardened cooled paraffin are placed in plastic bags, poured with sawdust, tightly closed. When stored in cool rooms, waxed tubers are laid without filler in low boxes. Before planting, the dahlia film is not peeled off, just rub it, so that it cracks.

When storing dahlias in any way possible losses, consider this. Until one of them has been tested and tested, leave a sufficient number of root tubs for storage.