Marble Ball Dahlia: Description & Growing Dahlia

                              Marble Ball Dahlia
Marbled purple and white ball like lollipop shaped a great variegated flower.This is the big flower in a vase or floating in a shallow bowl makes the perfect eye-catcher. Double-flowering Ball Dahlia that delights with petals of white and purple make the perfect choice for the winter season in India. Its multicolored blooms can create a freshness in the garden of winter. These plants have been hybridized into various heights.They can reach near about 28-31" tall.

Common Name:Marble Ball Dahlia

Botanical Name:Ball Dahlia Marble Ball

Family:Asteraceae

Life Cycle:Seasonal(in India),Perennial (in winter country)

Plant Height:28-32" tall

Foliage Colour:Green

Flower Colour:Purple

Light Requirements:Full Sun

Soil Type:Sandy Soil, Loamy Soil, Acidic Soil

Advantages:Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Easy to Grow, Cut Flowers, Containers


Growing Dahlias:

Dahlias are mostly winter country's flower. In India it grows mainly in winter. In Winter country planting should do after spring frosts in good garden soil with full sun.

Select a site with full sun. Dahlias grow well with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. They love the morning sunlight best. The location should be protected from wind.

Dahlias like rich, well-drained soil. The pH level of the soil should be 6.5-7.0, slightly acidic.If the soil is heavy, add sand, peat moss or old manure to lighten and loosen the soil texture for better drainage.

Dahlias should be planted 9 to 12 inches apart. The smaller flowering types, which are usually about 3 feet tall, should be spaced 2 feet apart. The taller, larger-flowered dahlias should be spaced 3 feet apart. This is best to planting about 1 ft apart.

The planting hole should be slightly larger than the root ball of the plant and give some compost or peat moss into the soil. It also helps to mix a handful of bone meal into the planting hole.


For the tuber plant dig a hole that’s about 6 to 8 inches deep. Put the tubers into it, with the growing points, and cover with 2 to 3 inches of soil . As the stem sprouts, fill in with soil until it is at ground level.

It is required support for tall, large-flowered cultivars. Place stakes (five to six feet tall) around plants at planting time and tie stems to them as the plants grow.

Medium to dwarf-size dahlias will do well in containers.

After planting of 8 weeks dahlias will start blooming.

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Cineraria Seed Grmination

                                         

                

 Cineraria Cruentus

Cineraria Cruentus plants are one of the most beautiful, low-growing flowers which can from flower seeds. These compact, mounding plants are great for containers, pathway edges or even as ground cover plants. Cineraria blooms in shades of blue, red and pink, and they are perfect for cool season color. Commonly the plants are called Florist's Cineraria. The botanical names of Cineraria Cruentus are Senecio Cruentus and Pericallis cruenta.

Cineraria is basically a season flower.

Cineraria plants normally grow flowers of up to five feet tall during early spring to summer.

Taking care of the plant from seed to full grown plant is not an easy job. Especially in living room conditions.

These plants species do not require grooming or cutting of stems. However, it is advisable to remove withered blooms and leaves when they appear.

Season: Annual
Height: 8 inches
Bloom Season: Winter( for India)
Bloom Colour: blue, red and pink
Environment: Partial shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, pH balance: 6.1 - 7.8
Temperature: 55 - 65F (USDA Zones: 4 - 9)
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: Do not cover
Sowing Rate: Approximately 100 seeds covers 5 square feet or 4 seeds per plant
Plant Spacing: 10 - 12 inches


Tips for Germination:


Cineraria seeds require light for germination, so do not cover the seeds. Plant in a container or tray containing a seed starting mix and lightly press flower seeds into soil. Keep the flower seeds moist and germination should occur in 14 - 21 days. Blooms will appear in 16 - 18 weeks. Cineraria plants are liberal self-sowers, dropping their own flower seeds. Deadhead the spent Cineraria flowers if self-sowing is not desired.

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Sweet William (Dianthus Plant) Germination Trips

Sweet Williams is actually a short-lived perennial, and it is possible to keep it growing for several years by dead-heading. Alternatively, leave plants that have flowered to shed seed. Remove the dead plants to allow the seedlings space to grow.

This compact plant is also suitable for a container . It is best planted together with taller flowering plants to provide vertical contrast.

SPECIFICATION OF DIANTHUS

Name: Sweet William

Scientific name: Dianthus barbatus

Color: pink, red, white, & bicolour

Plant seeds: outdoors just before winter or after frost  and  indoors weeks before the last frost

Bloom time: winter, spring, summer(depends on countries)

Hardiness Zone: 10 - 12 (reseeds itself easily)

Plant Height: 12 - 18"

Plant Spacing: 12 -15"

Light requirements: sun - part shade

Soil & water preferences: average

Activity attracts bees, butterflies, & hummingbirds.

Germination Requirements for Sweet William (Dianthus Plants):

Prepare the Media: 

Best germination, you will need to Professional quality Seedling mix. Below process is the best way to make it :

Sieved Coco peat
Sieved sand
Try to use a mix of half virgin forest leaf soil for better germination if the seeds are very small.
Fungicide (Bastian etc.)

As per requirement, mix 80% Coco peat & 20% Sand Sieved. After mixing add Fungicide 1 gm / 2.6 Kg.

Now sow the seeds carefully and cover mixed seedling media.Sprinkle water to keep the seeds moist.
Cover the seedling tray with rapper and placed on the partial shade.

Wait 10 to 14 days and check and sprinkle water frequently to keep the seed moist.



PROTECT & CARE:

Sweet Williams prefers a good drainage and a slightly alkaline soil. Add lime before planting. Planted in full Sun area where gets at least 5 hours of sunlight a day.
It can put a group of plants into a shallow pot. Water well.

Sweet Williams is very hardy and should survive in most areas.To protect the seeds from insects and birds cover the area with transparent polythene or big leaf of trees(e.g.Coconut or Date plant). After sowing the seeds use spray folidol powder.

Loosen the soil in a full-sun garden bed with a garden fork for direct soil. Spread 2 inches of compost over the soil and work it into the top foot of soil. Space the plants 6 to 12 inches apart in all directions.Spray water slowly.

For gardening pot: Dig the planting holes so they are twice as wide but equal in depth to the nursery pot.Set the sweet William into the planting hole and fill it back in with soil. Place the container in a semi shaded place.  


Water Sweet William immediately following planting. Continue to irrigate once per week through the spring and summer growing season. Sweet William requires approximately 1 inch of water weekly. The soil should remain moist but not become muddy.

Mulch over the bed with a 2-inch layer of bark or wood mulch. The mulch suppresses weeds and conserves the moisture in the soil.

Pinch off the blossoms once they begin to fade. Remove the entire flower structure, including the swollen portion at the base where seeds are produced. Removing the old flower prevents seed formation and encourages the plant to produce more blooms.

Add a fresh 1-inch layer of compost in spring when new growth begins. Replenish the mulch to maintain the 2-inch layer.