A Few Dahlia Quirks to Keep in Mind

From the time you plant your dahlia genus Tuber to the clock time they start to blush can be more than three month . But they are deserving the delay . Be certain to keep an eye on these tips and trick to ascertain your dahlias put on their best show .

1. There’s an exception to the full-sun rule

In areas that have summer temperatures over 100 ° fluorine for much of the growing season , dahlias should be institute in fond shadowiness ( preferably morning sun and afternoon shade ) .

2. You may have to prune before you plant

If your tuber has a sprout of more than 2 inches before planting , be sure to prune it back to about 1 column inch to avoid a feeble stalk as it produce . Dig a fix 4 to 6 inches deep . dwell the tuber on its side , as if you were put it down for a nap , then cover it with land .

3. Stake them early

For mixed bag that get more than 3 feet improbable , put in a garden stake when you place the tubers in the soil .

4. Low-nitrogen fertilizer is your friend

Dahlias are profound feeders . Fertilizer generally should be first applied 30 days after planting and then repeated every three to four weeks throughout the time of year . you could practice either a liquid state or a granular fertilizer , but verify that it is low in nitrogen . Too much nitrogen effect in a lot of leaf and not as many flush .

5. Do NOT water after planting

You do n’t have to water until the sprout appear above the soil . Up to this detail the flora has been living off the genus Tuber while it develops roots and can not work water or fertilizer until roots have get down to form . Once sprouts are up , pee if require . The elision is in hot , ironical climates where limited watering at tuber stage may be necessary .

6. Summer moisture is essential

Once the drier part of summertime begin , you may need to irrigate two to three times a week — profoundly . Water must penetrate the land past the dahlia beginning , at least 8 inches into the soil . waterspout hosepipe or dripping irrigation are ideal .

7. Hot water makes the blooms last longer

select blossom that are about two - thirds receptive . turn out the prow at least 12 inch long . locate the cut staunch in 2 to 3 inch of very hot weewee ( 160 ° to 180 ° F — not boil ) in a plastic pail . ( Glass cools too apace . ) Leave them there until the water has cool , usually at least an hour . You will see a darker water gull on each stem . This place the blooms and help oneself them last .

8. Store them after the frost

When the Dahlia pinnata have turn brown or have stopped produce and are no longer actively grow in late fall , it ’s time to harvest the tubers for winter ( in Zones 2–7 ) . Dahlia genus Tuber can be stored in cardboard box lined with newspaper and filled with peat moss or sawdust that is slightly dampened . idealistic computer memory temperature are about 40 ° to 50 ° fluorine .

To learn more about Dahlia pinnata , check out the fullOut - of - the - Ordinary Dahliasarticle .

Nicholas Gitts is a 2d - multiplication farmer and owner of Swan Island Dahlias in Canby , Oregon .

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