First It Is Important to understand that Dahlias grow from tubers and not bulbs.
Bulbs, such as lilies, daffodils, tulips, all can be planted in wet cold soils in the autumn. Dahlias must be planted in warm, well drained soils, in April-May time. Dahlias are generally planted about the same time you would plant your vegetable patch.
Propagation: There are two types of propagation ie. from cuttings and from seed. As there is a lot to say for both these methods we have given them a separate page each. Please click the links below to go to those pages.
Selecting a Site: Dahlias need a sunny location to thrive. An area that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight is best. Dahlias should be planted where they will receive morning sunlight, but not hot afternoon sun.
[No matter what climate you have, do not plant in areas that are shaded all day].
If you do, the plants will be tall and spindly, blooms are weak headed, and blooming is sparse.
Soil Preparation: Prepare your beds a few weeks before planting.
Beds should be well drained and in an open, sunny location.
Use a good farmyard manure or commercial 5-10-10 fertilizer and spread it over the bed, then till it in.
If you have a heavier soil, work in sand or peat moss to lighten and loosen the texture of the soil for better drainage.
Bone meal is ideal used at planting time.
Put a small handful in the hole and work in well before planting your tuber.
Planting: Ground should be warm and well drained at planting.
Do not use bark dust on beds you have planted Dahlias in.
Bark dust does not allow the sun to warm the soil properly and tubers will not sprout as they should.
Bark dust also increases soil acidity which is harmful to the Dahlias.
Lay the tubers horizontally at a planting depth of 6" and about 18" to 24" apart, then cover.
If you plan on staking your Dahlias, stakes should be put in at the time of planting to avoid damaging tubers when trying to put in stakes at a later date.
As plants grow tie the plants to the stakes.
Do not water the tubers after planting as the soil has enough moisture to promote proper growth until they have been in the ground 3-4 weeks to allow the roots to start to move, to look for water [Over watering can result in rotting of the roots].
If the shoots appear through the soil before the end of May I recommend you cover them over with soil to avoid them being frosted, DAHLIAS CAN NOT STAND FROST.
Watering: Most areas have enough rain to fill water needs at first.
We do not recommend watering until sprouts begin to appear above the ground.
After plants are established, a deep watering once or twice a week is necessary during warmer, dryer weather or in hotter climates.
Proper watering will promote better blooming.
Fertilizing: One of the biggest mistakes made with Dahlias is over feeding them.
You can love them to death ! High nitrogen fertilizers : Such as mushroom compost, fish fertilizers, or high nitrogen water soluble are to be avoided, as they promote weak stems, small blooms, or no blooms, and tubers that rot or shrivel in winter storage.
I recommend a high percentage potassium and phosphorous fertilizer such as 5-10-10, 10-20-20, or 0-20-20.
these can be found as vegetable fertilizers at your local garden centres.
It should be applied within 30 days of planting and repeated about 6 weeks later.
Potassium and phosphorous break down slowly and will become available to your plants during peak blooming.
Always check your fertilizer labels for nitrogen amounts when buying fertilizers for Dahlias.
Nitrogen percentage is the first number listed on the packet.
Weed Control : Recently products have become available that claim to control weeds without affecting the growth of the flowers.
It is my experience that these products do have a negative impact on Dahlias.
Old fashioned hand weeding is still the best remedy for weeds [GET THEM OUT].
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DAHLIA GROWING [J.R.GOTT].
Bulbs, such as lilies, daffodils, tulips, all can be planted in wet cold soils in the autumn. Dahlias must be planted in warm, well drained soils, in April-May time. Dahlias are generally planted about the same time you would plant your vegetable patch.
Propagation: There are two types of propagation ie. from cuttings and from seed. As there is a lot to say for both these methods we have given them a separate page each. Please click the links below to go to those pages.
Selecting a Site: Dahlias need a sunny location to thrive. An area that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight is best. Dahlias should be planted where they will receive morning sunlight, but not hot afternoon sun.
[No matter what climate you have, do not plant in areas that are shaded all day].
If you do, the plants will be tall and spindly, blooms are weak headed, and blooming is sparse.
Soil Preparation: Prepare your beds a few weeks before planting.
Beds should be well drained and in an open, sunny location.
Use a good farmyard manure or commercial 5-10-10 fertilizer and spread it over the bed, then till it in.
If you have a heavier soil, work in sand or peat moss to lighten and loosen the texture of the soil for better drainage.
Bone meal is ideal used at planting time.
Put a small handful in the hole and work in well before planting your tuber.
Planting: Ground should be warm and well drained at planting.
Do not use bark dust on beds you have planted Dahlias in.
Bark dust does not allow the sun to warm the soil properly and tubers will not sprout as they should.
Bark dust also increases soil acidity which is harmful to the Dahlias.
Lay the tubers horizontally at a planting depth of 6" and about 18" to 24" apart, then cover.
If you plan on staking your Dahlias, stakes should be put in at the time of planting to avoid damaging tubers when trying to put in stakes at a later date.
As plants grow tie the plants to the stakes.
Do not water the tubers after planting as the soil has enough moisture to promote proper growth until they have been in the ground 3-4 weeks to allow the roots to start to move, to look for water [Over watering can result in rotting of the roots].
If the shoots appear through the soil before the end of May I recommend you cover them over with soil to avoid them being frosted, DAHLIAS CAN NOT STAND FROST.
Watering: Most areas have enough rain to fill water needs at first.
We do not recommend watering until sprouts begin to appear above the ground.
After plants are established, a deep watering once or twice a week is necessary during warmer, dryer weather or in hotter climates.
Proper watering will promote better blooming.
Fertilizing: One of the biggest mistakes made with Dahlias is over feeding them.
You can love them to death ! High nitrogen fertilizers : Such as mushroom compost, fish fertilizers, or high nitrogen water soluble are to be avoided, as they promote weak stems, small blooms, or no blooms, and tubers that rot or shrivel in winter storage.
I recommend a high percentage potassium and phosphorous fertilizer such as 5-10-10, 10-20-20, or 0-20-20.
these can be found as vegetable fertilizers at your local garden centres.
It should be applied within 30 days of planting and repeated about 6 weeks later.
Potassium and phosphorous break down slowly and will become available to your plants during peak blooming.
Always check your fertilizer labels for nitrogen amounts when buying fertilizers for Dahlias.
Nitrogen percentage is the first number listed on the packet.
Weed Control : Recently products have become available that claim to control weeds without affecting the growth of the flowers.
It is my experience that these products do have a negative impact on Dahlias.
Old fashioned hand weeding is still the best remedy for weeds [GET THEM OUT].
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DAHLIA GROWING [J.R.GOTT].