If you plant dahlias
in well-draining soil located in full sun they will reward you with
colorful blooms from July until the first frost of fall. These easy-care
flowers perform their best during the hot, dry days of July and in
September and October when most other flowers wilt by the wayside.
Dahlias are hardy in zones 8-10 and come in a wide variety of bloom
colors and heights, making them a perfect choice for any home garden.
Planting Dahlias
Dahlias are sold in the spring as tubers or bedding plants. Tubers can
be started indoor in planters, then transplanted outdoors to get a head
start on the growing season. Select a sunny location and work some
compost into the soil to ensure good drainage. After all danger of frost
has passed, plant tubers three inches below soil surface and place
bedding plants at the same level they were at in their container. Cover
with soil, water in well and apply a layer of mulch to control weeds and
retain moisture.
After Care
Dahlias need minimal
after-care, but do appreciate a little food and support. Apply a
balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at spring planting time then again at the
start of bloom time in July. Water only during times of prolonged
drought and the plants begin to wilt.
Some varieties of dahlias
can reach a mature height of 5 feet, any variety over 3 feet will need
some support. Use tomato cages, bamboo stakes, trellises, etc. to help
these tall beauties stand up straight. Dahlia blooms range in size from
petite pom-pom type blooms to wide open, saucer-sized blooms and all
make excellent cut flowers.
Dividing Tubers
Dahlias are perennials, but can be treated like annuals and replaced
each year. If you want to save some garden money, dig up the tubers and
plant them over and over again.
At the end of fall, before the
soil freezes but about 2 weeks after the first killing frost, dig the
tubers up. Cut the stems back to 6 inches and gently rinse the soil off
each tuber.
Lay tubers in a single layer on spread-out newspaper to dry for 24 hours in a location where they won't freeze.
If you have more than one variety of dahlia, use a permanent marker to
label each tuber. Place clean, dry, labeled tubers in a cardboard box
and cover with peat moss or vermiculite and store in cool, dark place
until next spring.
Divide tubers in spring just before planting.
Use a pair of sharp hand-held pruning shears and cut small tubers off of
the large clump. Each tuber must have an 'eye', which is a small knob
where it had been connected to the main stalk.
