How to Care for Dahlia Flowers
Some of dahlia's care needs have to do with its place of origin. This tuberous flower arrived in the United States from the volcanic regions of central Mexico. The soil is fertile and porous in those areas and the climate mild. For that reason, dahlias, which are perennials in their native land, die in the U.S. winters unless you take some steps to protect their tubers. They also need tending in the summer to produce the blooms you certainly planted them for. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Spade
- Compost
- Stakes, as needed
- Soft and thick cord
- Soaker hose
- High-phosphorous fertilizer
- 5-10-5 fertilizer
- Mulch
- Shears
- Cardboard box
- Peat moss
Instructions
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Place dahlias where the sun shines at least six hours a day and the ground drains within one hour of irrigation. Till 2 inches of compost or manure 6 inches into the ground to improve aeration and stock the soil with slow-release nutrients.
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2
Bury plant stakes into the ground before putting the plants in to prevent damaging the tubers. Not all dahlias need staking. Support the varieties that reach at least 1 foot in height. Tie them to the stakes with a thick cord made of soft material, such as yarn or cotton, that won't cut into the stems.
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3
Give dahlias 1 inch of water once a week to keep the soil consistently moist. New plants don't need that much moisture at first. Irrigate them when they begin to wilt. Increase irrigation when dahlias reach 10 inches in height. Water the flowers twice a week if the weather remains dry during blooming. Use a soaker hose to keep the foliage dry and to conserve water.
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Give the roots a boost with a high-phosphorous fertilizer, such as 10--52--17, 20--20--20 or 23--21--17. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of dry fertilizer in 1 gallon of water. Apply 2 cups of the solution to each flower at planting. Feed the plants again when they reach 1 foot in height. Broadcast by hand ½ cup of a 5-10-5 fertilizer around the base of each plant (don't let it touch the stem), spreading it 2 feet out. Irrigate the garden to water the fertilizer in.
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5
Apply a 2-inch-deep layer of straw mulch or other organic material around the plants to suppress weeds and reduce water evaporation. Refill the mulch pile as the matter decomposes.
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Pinch its terminal bud when the dahlia stem reaches 3 inches in height to promote the development of two branches. Remove the flower buds that they set to increase the size of the blooms on the main stem. Buds come in sets of three. On the main stem, pinch the two buds on each side and retain the central one to prevent a weak flower stalk.
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Cut the dahlia stem, leaving a 3-inch stub, after the first frost. Dig the tubers for winter storage. Start working the soil carefully several feet from the base of the plant to prevent cutting into the tubers with the blade of your spade. Once you find them, reach under and pry them out. Rub as much soil as you can off with your palms and hang them upside down in a dry room to drain moisture from the stem. When the stalk is dry, give the tubers another scrub with your palms if there's still soil clinging to them. If you notice diseased tubers -- mushy, covered with mold or discolored -- throw them away.
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Line a cardboard box with a layer of peat moss. Place the tubers on it for storage. Cover them with additional peat moss, leaving the stems exposed. Place the box in a room that stays at 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Check on the stored tubers through the winter. Discard any that develop mold. Sprinkle shriveled ones with a few sprays of water. Take them out of storage and replant them in spring.
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Tips & Warnings
Propagate dahlias by cutting the tubers into quarters before replanting them in spring. Each piece needs to have a growth point, an "eye," from where a new stem sprouts.
References
Resources
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