Dahlia – Plant Of The Week

18th May 2021

Dahlia

This week we have had a delivery of some lovely Dahlias

Dahlias put on a show in summer and autumn. They come in a wide range of colours from pastels to brights. Very floriferous, they’re also good for cutting.

Dahlias are easy to grow, they require a fertile, moist but well-drained soil, and a sunny, sheltered spot. Taller varieties need staking. In autumn, dig up the tubers and overwinter them in a frost-free place such as a greenhouse or a shed.

Staking

If your dahlia flower heads are large, you can put in stout posts, one per stem, and tie in these stems to stop plants flopping with the weight of the flowers. For smaller-flowered dahlias, you can put in bamboo canes (say at the four corners) and make a surrounding support basket with twine. Dwarf bedding dahlias won’t need staking.

Watering

Dahlias need watering in dry and hot weather. Direct your can or hose to the base of the plant. Soak down to the roots once a week rather than watering shallowly more frequently.

Feeding

Apply granular, general purpose feed at planting time. Liquid feed at fortnightly intervals from early July to early September with a high-potassium feed, like tomato feed, to boost flowering. In summer containers, feed as you do your other container plants, usually weekly.

Deadheading

As flowers fade, deadhead them, cutting back the stems to a leaf joint. You will find older flowers have tatty petals at the back. Deadheading regularly (weekly) will encourage plants to produce more flowers.