Care of a Dahlia Plant
Native to central Mexico, dahlias (Dahlia pinnata) are beautiful and versatile garden flowers that pack a punch whether grown in beds, along borders, in cutting gardens or used in floral arrangements. The blooms appear in a large variety of forms, colors and sizes, varying from 1/2 inch to 12 inches in width. The flowers appear in all shades except blue. When properly cared for, the attractive flowers brighten up the landscape from July until frost. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Garden hose or watering can
- 5-20-20 fertilizer
- Organic mulch
- Trowel (optional)
- Slug bait
- Dishwashing liquid
- Spray bottle
- Newspapers
Instructions
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Plant dahlia in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 in spring, once the danger of frost has passed. Select a site with full sunlight (six hours or more) exposure. Space the plants 2 to 3 feet from one another.
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Irrigate the dahlia plant once every week during the summer months. Use a garden hose or watering can to soak the soil heavily. Depending on the climate, reduce watering during rainy season or increase frequency to two times a week during dry spells.
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Feed the plant a low-nitrogen (5-20-20) fertilizer every month during the growing season to encourage healthy blooms. Depending on personal preference, spread fertilizer granules around the soil at the base of the plant or use a liquid fertilizer. Irrigate the soil if using granules so the nutrients break down and penetrate the soil.
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Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of hay, straw or organic mulch around the base of the plant to prevent weeds and retain soil moisture. Pull out any stubborn weeds around the plant by hand, or use a trowel to loosen the soil around the weed before pulling it out.
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Use slug baits to protect your young dahlia plant from slugs, until it grows 12 inches tall. Mix 2 tbsp. dishwashing liquid in 1 cup of water and spray over the plant to deter earwigs.
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Pinch back dead blooms to encourage thicker blooms and prolong flowering. Start removing blooms in August and continue until the first frost.
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Dig the dahlia plant before mid to late October, or just after the first frost, to protect the tubers from winter freeze. Remove all ties and stakes and clean if necessary before storing. Remove as much soil as possible and leave the tubers to dry. Wrap the tubers in newspapers and store them in a cool, dry place. Bring the tubers out from storage in March.
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Tips & Warnings
Tall dahlias benefit from staking at planting time. Push a 5- to 6-foot-high metal or wooden stake 1-foot deep in the planting hole, slightly off center. Tie growing the dahlia plant to it with soft twine at intervals of 8 to 12 inches to encourage upward growth.
Avoid wetting the foliage of the dahlia plant during irrigation.
Stop fertilizing the dahlia plant after mid-August.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
