Dahlia Flower Care Tips

If you are a flower gardener, it is important to learn as much as you can about the care of your dahlia plants. In order to keep them beautiful and healthy, there are a few simple tips that you can follow to ensure that you are doing everything you can to ensure that your plant will thrive.

Planting time

If you want to plant dahlia flowers, it is best to do so in March or April. These plants bloom for about 12 to 16 weeks after they are planted. The number of flowers per plant will vary depending on the variety.

Dahlias can be grown from seeds or tubers. Typically, a tuber should be planted about three to four inches deep. It can be placed directly in the ground, or it can be raised in a pot and placed in a cold frame.

You should also plant the tuber at least a month before the first frost date in your area. When you are ready to move the tuber outside, it is best to do so in a sunny location.

When planting, make sure to allow at least one foot of space between each plant. This will ensure that they have enough room to grow.

Staking

If you’re planning to grow dahlias, you’ll need to stake them. This will prevent them from tumbling over or breaking their stems. There are a few different methods you can use to stake your dahlias.

One of the best and most practical ways to stake your dahlias is to use twine. Twine is an inexpensive way to support your plants and will keep them upright. You can tie your plants to wooden or bamboo stakes or you can even use a tomato cage to keep your plants in place.

The main reason you’ll want to stake your dahlias are the hollow stems. They can easily break under stress and the wind. To protect your plants from breaking, you’ll want to stake them every 30-inches or so.

Weeding

Weeding dahlia flower care is important, because the weeds can interfere with the plant’s ability to thrive. They can also cause injury. While a few weeds are acceptable, you should avoid pulling large ones that might damage the roots of your dahlias.

Dahlias need a lot of water. They should be watered with a soaker hose at least twice a week. You can also add snail and slug bait to the soil. Watering the plant too much can encourage rot.

To prevent weeds from growing around your dahlias, use an organic mulch. This can also conserve moisture. It should be at least one inch deep.

During the growing season, dahlias need 6 to 8 hours of sun a day. However, they will benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates.

Preventing diseases

If you are growing dahlias, you need to know how to prevent diseases. These flowers are delicate and susceptible to a wide variety of pests and diseases. But if you care for your dahlia properly, you can avoid most of the common problems.

When you first see symptoms, it is important to treat the plant. Fungicides can help. Symptoms include mealy powdery growth on leaves, stunted growth, and yellowing.

There are three main types of fungus that can affect your plants. They are Sclerotinia minor, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Botrytis cinerea. Each one of these pathogens is different, so each will have its own treatment.

The Sclerotinia fungus can be devastating to dahlias. It infects the stems and upper leaf surface, and can also cause the plant to wilt.

Overwintering

Dahlias are beautiful additions to any sun garden, but it is important to follow specific dahlia flower care tips for overwintering. Dormant dahlias should be stored in a cool, dry place. They should also be free from direct sunlight.

The ideal temperature for storage is above freezing. If the air temperature drops below freezing, the foliage will die. Also, frost can damage emerging shoots. It is best to check your tubers and remove damaged parts before the ground freezes.

Overwintering is an easy task if you have time and patience. This can be accomplished in a number of ways.

The most common method is digging up the tubers. You can do this in the fall. However, you should make sure you don’t pierce the tubers. A good rule of thumb is to save the largest tubers for overwintering.