Dahlia

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Dahlia

Dahlia
Genus:Dahlia
Family:Asteraceae
Type:Tender perennials
Pollination:Insect

Dahlia is a genus of bushy, summer- and autumn-flowering, tuberous perennials that are originally from Mexico, where they are the national flower.

Description

In 1872 a box of Dahlia roots were sent from Mexico to the Netherlands. Only one plant survived the trip, but produced spectacular red flowers with pointed petals. Nurserymen bred from this plant, which was named Dahlia juarezii with parents of Dahlias discovered earlier and these are the progenitors of all modern Dahlia hybrids. Ever since, plant breeders have been actively breeding Dahlias to produce thousands of cultivars, usually chosen for their stunning and brightly coloured flowers. Dahlia plants range in height from as low as 12" (30cm) to as tall as 6-8 feet (180-240cm). The flowers can be as small as 2" (5 cm) or up to a foot (30 cm) in diameter. The great variety results from Dahlias being octoploids (they have eight sets of homologous chromosomes, whereas most plants have only two).

Pests and diseases

Dahlias are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Angle Shades, Common Swift, Ghost Moth and Large Yellow Underwing. Crown Gall

Wilt

Rot (Bacteriosis)

Powdery Mildew

Leaf Spots

Gray Mold

Blight

Wilts

Stem Rots

Soft Rots

Smuts

Viruses

Nematodes

Aphids

Hoppers

Mealybugs

Whiteflies

Bugs

Earwigs

Thrips

Beetles

Caterpillars

Wasps

Mites

Slugs

References

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