Page 41 - North Haven Magazine Issue 33 Spring 2024

Make beautiful colorful bouquets Summer Dahlia garden in full bloom

lections can provide a nice supply of the plant is growing more vigorous- to Dahlias. These pests and powdery
blossoms throughout the season. If ly, it will need increasing amounts of mildew may be controlled with neem
space is not an issue and you have a water. Typically, deep watering once a oil sprayed at dusk. Insecticidal soap
sunny area, you can grow as many as week should be sufficient. During hot, can also be used. When using any type
you like. Some people prefer the small dry spells, it will need extra watering, of product, be sure to follow the label
border Dahlias that are used along a sometimes twice or three times a instructions.
walkway and some use containers, so week.
they can place them in perfect loca- THE BLOOMS are the most treasured
tions around the patio. aspect of growing Dahlias. It is exciting
to watch the first bud open and see
Dahlia tubers are the best way to what your plant has produced. Dahl-
start the plant and are available at lo- ias are tender perennials and bloom
cal garden centers in the spring and from midsummer through fall, when a
through internet sources. Dahlia so- heavy frost finally ends their growth.
cieties also hold sales and welcome The tall varieties do best when staked
guests to purchase tubers and plants. to support the stems heavy with
Society members are also great sourc- blooms. The perfect cutting flower
es of information about growing and Use pots if space is limited is one that produces more blooms
caring for Dahlias. when blossoms are cut and this is just
Opinions differ regarding the amount what the Dahlia does. Wilted flowers
Choose a location with full to partial of nitrogen needed. The American should be removed to encourage new
sun (6-8 hours) so you will have lush Dahlia Society recommends a liquid or growth.
Dahlia plants with plenty of flowers. granular fertilizer through the middle
Dahlias prefer a neutral soil pH of 6.5. of the season and lower nitrogen lev- Cut the blooms in the early morning
The soil must be warm enough so the els at the end of the season to encour- and immediately place them in luke-
tuber will sprout easily and not rot. It age the plant to slow its growth. Some warm water. After bringing them in,
is usually recommended to plant tu- Dahlia growers recommend low nitro- make a new 45° cut across the bottom
bers when you plant tomatoes after gen fertilizers such as 5-10-10 to avoid and put the cut stems in 2-3 inches of
the frost-free date. Follow the direc- overgrowth of leaves. Other growers very hot water for at least an hour. Ar-
tions on the package or specified by suggest fertilizer with a high phos- range in a clean vase with no foliage
the grower. For earlier blooms, start phorous level (10-30-20) to promote submerged in the water. Floral pre-
the tuber in a pot indoors in a sunny more blooms. Generous amounts of servatives and refreshing vase water
window. Do not water the tuber when well-composted plant material, leaves every few days with warm water will
planting. When you see the first pair and manure help with soil fertility, lengthen the life of the cut flowers.
of true leaves growing, you can begin drainage and texture. My experience During the refreshing, recut an inch of
providing some water. Transfer to a has shown that the higher levels of ni- the bottom of the stems. These steps
good location after the soil is warm. trogen were beneficial for my Dahlias. should prolong the life of your Dahlia
Tall plants will need a stake for sup- Experimenting helps because of vary- bouquet.
port. It is best to plant the stake first, ing levels of nutrients in soil and you
then put the Dahlia plant beside it so need to learn how your Dahlias grow Are you ready to grow some dazzling
you will be able to tie it as it grows. best. Dahlias? Visit your local garden center
or browse the Internet Dahlia web-
WATERING AND FERTILIZING PESTS may also enjoy your Dahlias. sites to decide from the countless
are important in maintaining healthy Slugs love the new shoots and leaves, choices what Dahlias you will plant
plants that produce a lot of blossoms. so make a circle of diatomaceous this summer!
As the young plants start growing, earth around the plant to prevent
they use nutrients from the tuber and them from crawling onto the plant.
may rot if watered too much. Once Earwigs and thrips are also attracted

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