How to Grow Dahlias

Dahlias have some of the showiest flowers for the flower garden. Here are some tips on how to grow them successfully.

Instructions

1. 

   Dahlias grow from tuberous roots. They are not fond of frost, so plant them when the soil has warmed to at least the mid 50's F and the soil is moist but not wet.

2. Plant them around 6" deep with the 'eye' up with a little bone meal mixed in with the soil. They like full sun in most parts of the country and can tolerate a little shade best in the hot deserts.

3. If you are growing one of the taller varieties it is best to set the supporting stakes when you plant the tubers. If you wait until the plant starts growing later you might accidentally puncture the tubers when inserting the stakes.

4. Keep the soil moist as the plants grow. For larger flowers, pinch out side shoots and buds to leave one really big one on the end tip. Otherwise you will get more, but smaller flowers. If you have snails and slugs in your area, you may have to treat for them as they love to eat dahlias.

5. 

   Dahlias are not tolerant of frost so dig and lift out the tubers carefully before the first frost arrives. Tubers can be divided carefully making sure you leave at least one 'eye' on each division. You can store tubers in perlite, sawdust or vermiculite at around 40'F for the winter. Check on them to make sure they don't shrivel (sprinkle them with a little water) or show signs of mildew (dust with a fungicide).

6. You can start dahlias easily from seed. They can be planted out directly in warm climates or started indoors in the late winter/early spring.

7. 

   There are hundreds of dahlias to choose from. They have flowers from 1" to 12" across. There are low growers and giants. Petals have shapes from little buttons to big quills. And the color selection is enormous often with multiple colors in the same flower. Some even have dark red foliage to show off.

8. 

   Plant a garden of all dahlias. Or use a few flashy ones to add spark to any flower garden. Grow them in pots where they will put on a brilliant show. You can also grow the smaller types in groups to create a colorful statement. Dahlias make wonderful cut flowers for indoor flower arrangements.

Resources

• Gates & Croft Horticultural Design ideas and info