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Dahlia - Fleurel
Dahlia - Fleurel
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$14.95
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This sophisticated, dinnerplate-sized flower boasts flat, disk-shaped blooms and a stunning snow-white color with a creamy center. She is a must-have here on the farm.
1 dahlia tuber or 1 tuber clump
Form: giant flowered decorativeBloom size: 8-10"
Plant Height: 3-4'
Growing Details
- Dahlias require full sun (at least 6 hours daily) to thrive and bloom abundantly. Southern growers might need to provide plants with afternoon shade if summer temperatures are extreme. Dahlias are cold sensitive and should not be planted until the soil has warmed to above 60°F (15°C) and all danger of frost has passed. Check with your local county extension office to find out the date of your last spring frost.
- Select a sunny garden spot with freely draining soil and prepare it thoroughly before planting. Amend beds with 2 to 3 in (5 to 10 cm) of high-quality compost or well-rotted manure, a light dusting of bonemeal, and a balanced organic fertilizer. Mix all ingredients into the soil to distribute evenly.
- To plant, dig a hole 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) deep and place the tuber on its side, horizontally, with the growing eye facing up. Refill the hole with soil. Dahlias get quite large, so allow at least 12 in (30 cm) of space between plants.
- Dahlias require consistent water throughout the growing season, so install soaker hoses or drip irrigation while they are still young. Dahlias should not be watered until you see the first green shoots poking through the ground; overwatering before shoots are visible can lead to tuber rot. After plants reach 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) tall, give them a hard pinch by snipping out 3 to 4 in (7 to 10 cm) of the growing center to encourage low basal branching, which increases flower production and overall stem length.
- By midsummer, you’ll need to stake tall plants to keep them from falling over. For just a few plants, place tall, sturdy posts next to tubers at planting time so you can tie stems to them as they grow. On a larger scale, your can use the corral method, which involves placing a metal T-post every 10 ft (2.4 m) along the outside edges of the beds and stringing a double layer of bailing twine from post to post. Another option is using horizontal netting supported by strong posts to support the plants. It's easiest for this method to put your netting in place at planting time, using two or three layers of netting placed at different height intervals - the plants will grow up through the netting and will be supported.
- While dahlias are not terribly long-lasting cut flowers, you can get 5 to 7 days from stems cut at the proper stage. Since dahlias don't open much after they’ve been harvested, it’s important to pick them almost fully open, but not overly ripe. Check the back of each flower head, looking for firm and lush petals; papery or slightly dehydrated petals are a sign of age. Using floral preservative in the water helps extend their vase life.
- In the fall, dahlia tubers can be lifted and stored following the first hard frost. In areas with mild winters, dahlia tubers can remain in the ground, provided they have adequate drainage and are mulched heavily to guard against any cold snaps.
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