Dahlias are colorful and one of the world's most famous flowers, with huge stick-shaped tuberous roots.
The stems of Dahlias are erect, multi-branched, 1.5-2 meters tall, and stout. Leaves 1-3 pinnatifid, upper leaves sometimes not divided, lobes ovate or oblong-ovate, below gray-green, glabrous on both sides.
The head is large, with long peduncles, often pendulous, 6-12 cm wide. Involucral bracts have about 5 outer layers, ovate-elliptic, leafy, inner membranous, elliptic-lanceolate. Ligulate flowers 1-layered, white, red, or purple, often ovate, with inconspicuous 3-toothed apex, or entire; tubular flowers yellow, sometimes all ligulate flowers in cultivars.
Dahlia likes half shade, too much sunlight will affect flowering, the light time is generally 10 to 12 hours, and direct sunlight should be avoided when cultivating seedlings. Dahlias like cool climates. They bloom the largest, brightest and most prosperous in late September, but they are not frost-tolerant, and stems and leaves wither immediately after frost. During the growth period, the temperature requirements are not strict, 8~35℃ can grow, and 15~25℃ is suitable. Dahlias are not resistant to drought and waterlogging. Generally, potted plants should be watered when the soil is dry, so that they are dry when wet; the pots can be poured and drained on rainy days. Dahlias are suitable for cultivation in fertile sandy soil with loose soil and good drainage.
Dahlias come in many colors, each with its own meaning. Red dahlias are bright and beautiful, and red generally represents enthusiasm, energy and vitality. In addition, the red dahlia can also represent the courage to move forward bravely. Yellow and orange bring people a warm and comfortable feeling, so yellow represents the positive meaning of good fortune. At the same time, orange can also represent the perseverance in life and the emotion of looking forward to a sweet and happy life. Colored dahlias mostly indicate that life is rich and colorful, and the horizons can be constantly broadened to obtain new information. It can also symbolize a person's active thinking: rich in creativity and high emotional intelligence and fun.
