Producing Dahlias

Working with Dahlias to Brighten Your Garden

Jul 11, 2009 Loraine R. Degraff

Dahlias deliver brilliant color all season long. Dazzling color can be achieved throughout the summer and early fall by planting dahlias in groups.

Dahlias are excellent for providing cut flowers and will vigorously bloom throughout the entire summer and even up until the first frosts. A single plant, if cultivated carefully, could produce as many as one hundred blooms. Many gardeners delight in dahlias because of their bright color and long-lasting blooms.

Working with Tubers

Begin working with dahlia tubers in early spring for midsummer blooms. Place tubers in a warm, sunny location such as a sunroom or bright porch. Place tubers in a shallow box filled with slightly damp sand, peat moss or leaf mold. This will allow the shoots to develop more easily.

Cut the shoots of the tubers when they reach a height of 6 to 7 inches to about 1 inch about the base. Insert these cuttings into pots filled with damp sand and compost. Water the shoots and keep them misted or cover them with a plastic bag and keep them away from the sun. Check the shoots in about 3 weeks. They should have roots and should also have doubled.

Transplanting Outdoors

Larger varieties of dahlias need a planting depth of about 7 inches. Smaller types, or dwarf varieties only need 3 to 4 inches in which to grow. If you desire big flowers, work with larger varieties such as cactus dahlias.

Plant dahlia tubers outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed. Planting dahlias in groups will ensure dazzling color throughout the summer and early fall. When the plants are about 4 inches tall, remove weak stems. Pinch off flower buds as soon as they have formed or remove all side shoots, leaving only the main bud. Water the plants regularly and periodically feed with a liquid fertilizer.

Tall dahlia plants should be staked when they reach a height of 18 to 20 inches. Bamboo sticks are easy to work with and make great inconspicuous stakes. Select three or four that are the same height as the mature plant and place them into the soil next to the main stems. Tie the stems at two different heights with soft twine, incorporating the new growth as it develops. To prolong flowering, remove all faded flowers from dahlia plants.

Preparing for the Next Season

To secure dahlia tubers for future seasons, cut down plants right after the first frost. In some climates, tubers can be left in the ground for a very long time and reach maturity with little difficulty. Very hard freezes, however can destroy the tubers. Therefore, remove tubers from the ground by digging about the stem of the plant. Carefully lift the entire clump of dirt and stem stub with spade or gardening fork being mindful not to damage tubers. Make sure tuber has at least one "eye" in place in order to sprout the next season. Let the tubers dry in the open air for about 10-12 hours, preferably in the sun. Knock off loose soil and store tubers in a cool, damp place for the winter.

For additional reading:

Care and Cultivation of Dahlias

Digging, Dividing and Storing Dahlia Tubers

The copyright of the article Producing Dahlias in Flower Gardens is owned by Loraine R. Degraff. Permission to republish Producing Dahlias in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.