Best Tips For Growing Dahlia at Home

Dahlia is a widely popular and a beautiful addition to any garden. They come in different colors , sizes and bloom types. Generally blooms from midsummer to winter. So you can enjoy its beauty around 8 months of the year. Dahlia can be grown from tubers easily. Follow below tips for better results.

Propagation

Propagated from seeds and tubers ( Inflated roots due to food storage) . But tubers are good option of propagation and odds of success are high in this case.  Plant the tubers around Mid April – Mid May in sunny location.  Tubers should contain a growing point, it is also called as an eye. Face eye upward and plant it 4-6 inch deep  in well drained soil. Keep the soil moist. Don’t water  the tubers right after planting as it encourages rot. Water regularly after new growth reaches at least 6 inches. Dahlia is heavy feeders so use good compost mix in soil. Use snail and slug bait to protect new sprouts.

You can propagate it from seeds too.

Container

Choose container size on basis of your plant variety. Mid to large size container for tall growing type. Small container will do for small size variety. But the container should have good drainage facility as standing water can cause tuber rot.

Soil

Use garden soil with good amount of compost mix. Dahlia thrives in well drained humus rich soil. Add in sand, peat moss or bagged steer manure to lighten or loosen soil texture for better results. pH level of soil should be slightly acidic around 6.5 to 7.0.

Sun / Temperature

Place container at direct sunlight site. It requires 6-8 hours of sun to grow more blooms. 

Watering

Dahlia has high water demand. Water it regularly, increase  in hot months and dryer climate. Dahlia blooms after 8 weeks of planting in Mid July.  Start watering right after that. Blooming depends much on proper watering.

Fertilizer

Feed plant with  liquid fertilizer  such as used for vegetables or use low nitrogen fertilizer as 5-10-10 , 10-20-20 or 0-20-20 to encourage good quality bloom and growth. Avoid high nitrogen based fertilizer as it will promote weak stem and small blooms or no blooms.

Staking

When plant is 3 feet or more taller use metal rods, tomatoes cage for staking.