Dahlia Bulb Care

A summer to fall flower, dahlia flower is a genus of tuberous plants that belong to the Asteraceae family. Dahlia is named after Swedish botanist Anders Dahl (1751- 1789). Dahlia plants are easy plants to grow and yield beautiful blooms, and to ensure good blooms one needs to ensure good care while purchasing, planting and storing them.

Native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia, dahlia flowers have over 36 species and countless numbers of hybrids developed for its use as garden plants. This decorative flower grows on tuberous perennial bushy plants that range in height from 12 inches to nearly 8 feet. Dahlia plant's foliage is deep green to bright green, lobed leaves on hollow stems on whose end flowers are borne, mostly alone but cluster have been found too. The size of the flower; miniature to really large ones depends upon the cultivar planted. With over a hundred varieties available, one will definitely spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing colors.

Dahlia can be propagated vegetatively (division of tubers, stem cuttings, grafting, leaf cuttings and through tissue culture) or from seeds. Division of tubers is the easier way to sprout new plants. Plus the bulbs for different varieties are more easily available than seeds.

Growing Dahlia Bulbs

Plant bulbs from April right through May, when the temperature approximates between 50 to 60 degrees. Dahlia can be grown in flower garden beds or in pots. Dahlia plants need a sunny location for their flowers to come true. Minimum 6 - 8 hours of direct sunlight, and in extremely hot areas, 3 - 4 hours will suffice. Dahlia bulbs do very well in humus rich soils that have tilled deep and amended with sand or peat moss to make them well drained. Compacting soil inhibits the bulbs to sprout well as ventilation gets blocked. The soil's balance should be maintained at 6.5 - 7(slightly acidic).

Plant the bulbs about six to eight inches deep in a hole with a handful or organic compost and bone meal. Place the bulbs with the 'eye' on the tuber facing up, (eye is the point of the tuber from which the plant grows). Space tubers depending upon the variety between two inches to a feet apart. Stake the bulbs either with canes or even tomato cages. Water as per need, but never in excess as the tuber may set rot. In most cases rain showers are adequate to get the tubers to sprout. Once the dahlia sprouts, just ensure enough water, especially for warmer climates.

Nitrogen-based fertilizers must be applied sparingly, and a higher percentage of potassium and phosphorous fertilizers is more recommended, such as a 5-10-10 or 0-20-20. Too much nitrogen will promote excessive foliage growth taking away from the flowers and weakens stems. In the longer run, too much nitrogen damages bulbs while in storage. As the plant begins to grow, pinch central leader to promote lateral and bushier growth. Once the flowering starts keep de-heading the dead ones to encourage continuous flowering. Mildew and leaf spot is a common fungal infection found in dahlia plants, besides them slugs and aphids too routinely attack them. Spray specific-to-problem germicides early in the morning or late in the day.

Caring for Dahlia Bulbs

Knowing how to care for dahlia bulbs is essential to their next years bloom. Once the plant wilts and falls to the ground naturally, dig with a spade about a foot away from the stem in a circle to loosen soil and tuber roots. Do not pull each tuber separately (it can sheared later on), pry the whole clump with the intact stem. Brush away all the soil stuck to the tubers and air dry the entire clump by hanging it upside down in a dry place for a couple of days. Do not let them dry out. Treatment with powdered garden sulfur fungicide to prevent rot during storage can also be considered. Layer tubers in crates or cardboard boxes amidst dampened peat moss, sand, or newspapers. Keep a routine check on the tubers.

Dahlia bulb care begins with proper storage and culminates with a remarkable flower show.