Growing dahlias can be very rewarding and fortunately they are an easy to grow plant which will provide an abundance of flowers continuously for months. While growing dahlias can be as easy as throwing a tuber in the ground and waiting, Green Fingers has created a quick tips and tricks guide to help you get the most from your dahlia plants.
Spring is close, and those tubers you pre-ordered are starting to arrive. But what to do now?
If you live in the north of New Zealand, you could be fine planting your tubers now, however, for everyone else, especially those in frost-prone areas, keeping your tubers stored in a dry area such as garage or shed is best.
Prepare soil
First thing to begin thinking about is the path you are planning on planting your dahlias. During early winter a good ‘green crop’ planted on the patch can do wonders, however, during August and September is also a good time to work the soil a bit and mix some compost in, add some biochar and give it a good drench in liquid seaweed and liquid humic. All this will help build up the carbon % of your soil and also aid in the growth of earthworms and other beneficial soil microbes.
Planting
Once October comes around it is time to plant your tubers. Simply dig a hole in your newly prepared soil, slightly bigger than the tuber itself. Set the tuber in the hole, optimally with any eyes facing up, although this is not too important. Cover the tuber with some soil. It can also be beneficial to pinch the tip of your dahlia sprout once it has produced its third set of leaves. This can encourage it to bush out. Now is also the perfect time to apply a high quality fertiliser rich in potassium and phosphate such as Green Fingers Bulb Granular. This will optimise both flower and tuber production.
Staking
Some dahlias especially tall Dinnerplate cultivars will require staking. During planting can be the best time to stake. Once you have the tuber planted simply push the stake through the soil next to the tuber, carefully ensuring you do not pierce the tuber clump. As the dahlia plant grows use a tape gun or ties to keep it attached to the stake.
Slugs
Depending on the slugs where you are located this can be a requirement, especially during the sprouting period of the dahlia. Slug bait works wonders and when spread around young dahlia plants, seems to keep the slugs away. Alternatively slug traps can also keep slugs away from your dahlia plants.
Water
Dahlias can be quite thirsty plants, especially when they are flowering during the hotter months. Give your plants a good water 2-3 times a week.
Feeding and nourishment
Dahlias can also be quite hungry plants. Producing the number of flowers they do requires good food. About 2 weeks after sprouts have emerged you can begin foliar feeding your plants. A spray every two weeks with Green Fingers Dahlia Foliar Fertiliser will give your plants a huge boost and will help increase plant growth, flower production and tuber production. A monthly spray of liquid seaweed is also recommended for both the plants and soil. A high quality slow release granular fertiliser such as Green Fingers Bulb Granular only needs to be applied twice during the Dahlia season, once in Spring and once in mid Summer.
Deadheading
Deadheading is simply the term for the removal of flowers from a plant once they have expired. If you don’t pick all the flowers for inside or friends, ensure you do deadhead as continuously doing this will cause the plant to begin producing more and flowers.
Now sit back and enjoy your healthy plants and flowers!
Enjoy!
Now sit back and enjoy your healthy plants and flowers!
Comments