Dahlia Grow Guide
WHY DAHLIAS?
Dahlias are incredible plants that will fill your garden and home with flowers for several months of the year. They are so rewarding to grow and any dahlia lover will tell you that they are very addictive! They come in so many different sizes, colours and shapes, a never ending array of beauty to be enjoyed.
I've put together a little list of basics to get you started but I highly recommend "DAHLIAS: Seed to Bloom: The Dahlia Grower's Companion" written by Kristene Albrecht and Brion Sprinsock for a deeper dive. There is just so much useful information there.
SOIL
Good soil preparation equals good healthy dahlias that flower well. Dahlias are hungry plants and your soil will need to be prepared with animal manure or your favourite fertiliser. We use organic fertilisers, typically a combination of Rooster Booster and Seamungus pellets, but the choice is totally up to you.
PLANTING
Dahlias are grown from tubers or cuttings which are planted once all danger of frost has passed. We plant ours in around Mid October but that will vary depending on where you live and your climatic conditions.
Plant your tubers around 10cm deep, on their side with the eye or shoot facing upwards. Don't worry if you're not sure, the tuber will figure it out and make its way to the surface. They want to grow!
It's also important to put stakes in or some method of support for your dahlias as they are tall strong growing plants. This is best done at planting time so that you don't accidentally damage your precious tubers.
WATERING
We water very little until they surface as overwatering prior to active growth can lead to tuber rot. However, if your soil is really dry a bit of water can help the tubers to start to wake up and get going. Just be cautious you don't give them too much. Raised beds will help to prevent beds staying too wet and issues with poor drainage.
How often you water your plants depends on your climate. Dahlias are pretty tough but good watering every 2-3 days works for us. We generally water early morning.
SUN
Your dahlias are summer sun loving plants and need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun to grow and flower to their full potential.
PINCHING
Don't forget to pinch your plants when they are around 20cm tall or have 3-5 sets of leaves. Your plants will thank you by developing several strong growing shoots and will produce more flowers for you.
FEEDING DURING THE SEASON
In addition to initial soil preparation we also liquid feed our plants once they get to the stage of bud formation. A good liquid plant food for flowers will help your plants to continue to flower well. We apply it as a foliar feed over the surface of the plant.
PICK and ENJOY
Most of all enjoy your blooms and share their beauty. Dahlias are best picked early morning when they are most hydrated and when they are close to being fully open as they do not continue to open after picking. Pop them straight into a bucket and put somewhere cool and shady until you are ready to arrange them. Vase life is typically around 5 days.
