Growing dahlia tubers is one of the traditional garden activities because this Mexican native has won gardener's hearts with its ease of growth and massive blooms. This is one of the most sold plants for summer blooms.
Dahlias do not survive winter frosts however and should be dug in the fall right after the first frost crumples and blackens their leaves. Dig and store cool but frost-free and dry for the winter. Excess moisture will rot the tubers. Check every few weeks and if rot has started, cut out the rotted part and dust with sulphur to stop the damage. Excess heat will kick the tuber into growth and the only solutions are to cool it down and hope it stops growing or pot it up in a sunny windowsill and hope it grows.
The following spring, plant outdoors after all danger of frost when the soil is starting to heat up. Alternately, plant indoors in large pots 6-weeks before that last-frost date and force them for much larger blooms. Again, plant the potted tubers outdoors after all danger of frost.
Do plant dahlia in the full hot sun. Light morning shade will also work for them but they do love that sunshine to bring along flowers. There are many classes of flowers and heights, ranging from the petit pompoms that are ideal for containers to the massive dinner-plate sized blooms that sit on 6-8 foot tall plants. There's something for everybody in this plant family.
Doug Green an award winning garden author of 7 books answers questions in his free gardening newsletter at http://www.beginner-gardening.com/gardeningflowertips.html |
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