Strategies shared by the National Dahlia Collection's director for nurturing remarkable dahlias in your home garden:
Diving into Dahlias: A Grower's Guide
Louise Danks, a renowned horticulture lecturer, has made quite a name for herself caring for the National Dahlia Collection, now nestled in a verdant Cornwall field owned by the Kehelland Trust. Her dahlia exhibits have clinched gold medals at Chelsea, and she learned the art of cultivating these stunning flowers from none other than Mike Mann and Mark Tyening, industry veterans. Here, Louise shares her four top tips for dahlia care.
🌟 Propagate your Dahlias
Dahlias can be propagated using various methods, each with its unique benefits. Below are the main ways:
- Seeds: Sprout seeds indoors about four to six weeks before the last frost (typically late March for a May planting). Use a fine seed starting mix, and keep seeds in seed trays. Keep in mind that not all dahlia varieties breed true from seed. However, germinating from seeds allows for new and intriguing varieties to emerge.
- Tubers: Dig up tubers after the growing season when the foliage has died down post-frost. Divide tubers by separating each "eye" (sprout), or store them wrapped in plastic to prevent rot during storage. Tubers should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place over winter and replanted in spring.
- Cuttings: In early summer (July), take cuttings by detaching young shoots when they're about 1.5 inches tall. Plant cuttings in a moist rooting medium, cover them with a humidity dome, and keep them warm under lights or in a heated room for rooting.
🌱 Planting Dahlia Pot Design
Looking for a fresh pot design? Incorporate dahlias for an eye-catching garden centerpiece!
🌻 Caring for Dahlias
At the Kehelland collection, no need to lift tubers. Instead, volunteers apply a generous six-inch deep "mulch" made from recycled green waste, providing winter protection, improving the thin sandy soil, and preserving moisture. For plants not on a mulch bed, feed them a higher nitrogen feed while they're in leafy growth and after pinching out the main shoot. Once the plants are in bud and flower, switch to a feed higher in potassium. Regular watering is vital for plants in pots.
🌟 Pruning Dahlias
Pick (or deadhead) spent blooms regularly to encourage new flowers. To tell the difference, look for round buds and pointy spent blooms. Deadheading continues late into the season, providing food for beneficial pollinators, and seeds are collected on dry autumn days.
Now that you've learned how to care for dahlias, go forth and grow your own masterpiece! 🌺⛺️🌅
- The home-and-garden enthusiasts and garden designers might appreciate learning about the different methods of propagating dahlias, such as using seeds, tubers, or cuttings, for creating stunning floral displays in their gardens.
- If you're looking to revamp your garden design or pot arrangement, consider incorporating dahlias as they can serve as eye-catching centerpieces, adding a touch of vibrant beauty to your garden lifestyle.
- When it comes to gardening, caring for dahlias isn't just about planting them; adequate feeding, watering, and pruning are crucial steps to ensure healthy and blooming plants. Follow the proper techniques like applying the right type of feed during different growth stages, regular watering in pots, and deadheading spent blooms to encourage more flowers and attract pollinators.
