Steps to Growing a Successful Dahlia
Nuit d’Ete
Planting
For early flowering start tubers in mid-April in containers. Place tubers in planter box medium 4” (10 cm) deep. Water in well. Bring the containers indoors, set in bright light and keep the soil moist.
In late April or early May, when all danger of frost has passed, tubers can be planted outdoors. Choose a location with well-draining soil that receives full sun. Dig a shallow hole, 4” deep and roomy enough to gently spread out a clump of tubers. Set a 4-5 ft. stake at the back of the hole to support the plant and its summer blooms. Space tubers or starter plants 20” apart. Cover with soil and water well. Keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Protect young green shoots from slugs overnight with a clear plastic bottle cut in half or an application of slug bait. When plants are 4” tall, pinch out the growing tip, to stimulate side branching.
Water thoroughly and regularly, 1-2 times each week, and especially on hot summer days. Dahlias enjoy average soils and need only a single application of fertilizer (5-10-10) at the plant base. Never spray fertilizer directly on the foliage.
Cafe au Lait
After Care
Dahlias bloom continuously until the first hard frost turns the leaves black. At that time, cut down the plant stalks to 6” above the soil. Remove faded foliage, side branches, and debris. Gently dig up the tubers and remove excess soil from the clumps of tubers. Dry out the clumps completely for 3-5 days in a room with consistent 50° F temperatures. Store clumps in a dry place that never freezes. Place dry clumps in burlap, layers of paper, ventilated crates or cardboard boxes. A layer of vermiculate can add protection in cold winter climates.
Arabian Night
Additional Tips
Buds appear in threes. Keep the main bud and remove the tiny side buds. This allows bigger flowers to form.
Dahlias bloom and bloom. Cut flowers for bouquets and you get even more blooms! Cut dahlias in the morning. Choose fully open blooms and place fresh cut stems in a bucket of slightly warm water.
Dahlias make for gorgeous cut flower bouquets. And if by chance, you have too many flowers, a bouquet makes a wonderful gift for a friend or neighbor!
Mystery Day
Growing Size
| Kenora Macob | Giant Fringed Type, 10″ Blooms, Grows to 48″ tall |
| Mystery Day | Giant Decorative Type, 7” Blooms, Grows to 32” tall |
| Cafe au Lait | Giant Decorative Type, 9” Blooms, Grows to 44” tall |
| Manhattan Island | Giant Decorative Type, 8” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
| Nuit d’Ete | Cactus Type, 6” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
| Kelvin Floodlight | Giant Decorative Type, 10” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
| Arabian Night | Decorative Type, 5” Blooms, Grows to 40” tall |
| Cambridge | Giant Decorative Type, 8” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
Steps to Growing a Successful Dahlia
Planting
For early flowering start tubers in mid-April in containers. Place tubers in planter box medium 4” (10 cm) deep. Water in well. Bring the containers indoors, set in bright light and keep the soil moist.
In late April or early May, when all danger of frost has passed, tubers can be planted outdoors. Choose a location with well-draining soil that receives full sun. Dig a shallow hole, 4” deep and roomy enough to gently spread out a clump of tubers. Set a 4-5 ft. stake at the back of the hole to support the plant and its summer blooms. Space tubers or starter plants 20” apart. Cover with soil and water well. Keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Protect young green shoots from slugs overnight with a clear plastic bottle cut in half or an application of slug bait. When plants are 4” tall, pinch out the growing tip, to stimulate side branching.
Water thoroughly and regularly, 1-2 times each week, and especially on hot summer days. Dahlias enjoy average soils and need only a single application of fertilizer (5-10-10) at the plant base. Never spray fertilizer directly on the foliage.
After Care
Dahlias bloom continuously until the first hard frost turns the leaves black. At that time, cut down the plant stalks to 6” above the soil. Remove faded foliage, side branches, and debris. Gently dig up the tubers and remove excess soil from the clumps of tubers. Dry out the clumps completely for 3-5 days in a room with consistent 50° F temperatures. Store clumps in a dry place that never freezes. Place dry clumps in burlap, layers of paper, ventilated crates or cardboard boxes. A layer of vermiculate can add protection in cold winter climates.
Additional Tips
Buds appear in threes. Keep the main bud and remove the tiny side buds. This allows bigger flowers to form.
Dahlias bloom and bloom. Cut flowers for bouquets and you get even more blooms! Cut dahlias in the morning. Choose fully open blooms and place fresh cut stems in a bucket of slightly warm water.
Dahlias make for gorgeous cut flower bouquets. And if by chance, you have too many flowers, a bouquet makes a wonderful gift for a friend or neighbor!
Varieties
| Kenora Macob | Giant Fringed Type, 10″ Blooms, Grows to 48″ tall |
| Mystery Day | Giant Decorative Type, 7” Blooms, Grows to 32” tall |
| Cafe au Lait | Giant Decorative Type, 9” Blooms, Grows to 44” tall |
| Manhattan Island | Giant Decorative Type, 8” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
| Nuit d’Ete | Cactus Type, 6” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
| Kelvin Floodlight | Giant Decorative Type, 10” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
| Arabian Night | Decorative Type, 5” Blooms, Grows to 40” tall |
| Cambridge | Giant Decorative Type, 8” Blooms, Grows to 36” tall |
