If you want your neighbors to think you're an award-winning gardener, try planting dahlias in your garden this year. Just when everything else starts to show the strain of midsummer, Dahlias begin a showstopping performance that lasts through fall. Dahlias need a little special care in some climates, but the rewards far outweigh the work.
About Dahlias
Buying: Dahlias are sold as tubers, but they may also be available planted in pots at garden centers in the spring. For the most interesting selection, visit your nearest Dahlia society.
Cold Hardiness: Dahlias are considered true perennials only in zones 6-7 and warmer. They can be treated as annuals in cooler climates, or you can dig up and store the tubers over the winter. Cold hardiness for Dahlias depends on the variety, so check the label when buying.
Size: Dahlias range from foot-tall dwarf varieties to towering 8 feet (2.4 m) giants.
Quality: Look for plump, firm tubers with no spoiled spots and at least one eye. Unlike potatoes, Dahlia tubers have eyes only on the top, where the stem meets the root.
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun 6-8 hours a day is ideal, although you may want to give them a little cooling afternoon shade if you live in a hot climate.
Soil: Loose, fertile, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Dahlias put out tiny feeder roots that require light soil that holds moisture without being soggy. Clay soil should be amended with compost, sand, and/or humus.
Water: Dahlias need regular water but will rot in heavy wet soil.
Fertilizer: Dahlias need lots of nutrients, especially when blooming. Fertile soil and balanced organic fertilizer will help.
Cautions: Dahlias are susceptible to rot and freeze, so keep this in mind when choosing your planting site.
How to Plant
When to Plant: Plant Dahlias in spring, after all the danger of frost has passed. If the weather has been soggy, wait until the soil dries out a little.
Soil Preparation: Till the soil about a foot deep. Work in plenty of well-rotted compost, sand, or humus. Avoid manure or fresh compost – it's too high in nitrogen. If you're buying soil, ensure it hasn't been treated with weed preventers since Dahlias are susceptible to herbicides.
Planting: Plant Dahlia tubers about 2 feet (60 cm) apart and 6 inches (15 cm) deep, with the eyes facing up.
Watering: Ideally, you shouldn't water new Dahlias but let the spring rains work their magic. You can give them a light watering if it's already hot and dry.
Support: Taller varieties need stakes for support. Install a bamboo stake or tomato cage when planting so that you don't cause damage later.
Identify: Tag plants with the name of the variety to prevent confusion if you dig them up to keep them over the winter.
Mulch: Add a couple of inches of mulch to hold in moisture.
Growing Tips
Fertilizing: Feed Dahlias about once a month with an organic fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium, such as a 1-2-2 ratio. With enough compost, your Dahlias will do fine without fertilizer.
Watering: Make sure your Dahlias get an inch of water per week. Keep track of rainfall so that the water is consistent.
Deadheading: Clip off spent blossoms to encourage more blooming.
Disbudding: While optional, some gardeners remove many flower buds to focus the plant's energy on fewer, larger, and showier blooms with long stems. The flower buds come in clusters of three. If desired, remove the two side buds, allow the middle one to grow, and keep pinching off any more side buds that form along the end of the stem.
Pinching: For a more natural look, pinch back Dahlia plants when small to encourage branching.
Dividing: Dahlias can be divided in fall or spring. Dig up the tubers and use a sharp knife to cut them into sections, ensuring each section has at least one eye. Allow tubers to dry overnight before replanting.
Overwintering Outdoors: If Dahlias are hardy in your zone, simply cut them back after the first heavy frost and apply an extra layer of mulch to protect them from the cold. Remove the extra mulch in spring.
Overwintering Indoors: In colder climates, dig up and store the tubers in a basement or garage, then divide and replant them in the spring.
Weeding: Hand pull weeds around Dahlias or smother with mulch. Don't use any sprays.
Cut Flowers: Dahlias make stunning bouquets! Cut the blooms in the early morning for the best results.
Source: todayshomeowner.com
Links
- Back to genus Dahlia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin