Dahlia

How to grow dahlias in a garden

How to grow from seed

1. Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun.
2. Prepare the planting area well by digging in some compost &  Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
3. Sow  Dahlias (Dahlia cvs) seeds directly where they are to grow or in trays of  Yates Seed Raising Mix at a depth of 12mm. 
4. Water gently and keep lightly moist through germination period. Take care not to over water during this period.
5. Once seedlings are 5-7cm tall, thin out or transplant into the prepared bed and water in well.
6. Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw.
7. Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with  Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

How to grow from a tubers

1. Once the weather warms up stored tubers will start to form eyes or shoots. Once these start to form the tubers are ready to plant out.
2. Choose a sunny spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in some compost & Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
3. Dig a hole that is double the size of the tuber and water well prior to planting ensuring that you have left at least 30cm spacings between each tuber.
4. Plant them whole with the growing eyes or shoots facing up. When planting make sure that the root end of the tuber is covered by at least 10 cm of soil.
5. Once planted, do not water the tubers right away as this could encourage rot. It is best to wait until the sprouts have appeared above the soil to water.
6. About 2 weeks after sprouts appear, feed them with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Liquid Plant Food.
   
    

How to grow dahlias in a pot

How to grow from seed

1. Choose a pot at least 300mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.
2. Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as  Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. 
3. Sow the  Dahlias (Dahlia cvs) seeds directly into the pot at a depth of 12mm and cover with  Yates Seed Raising Mix.
4. Water gently and keep lightly moist through germination period. Take care not to over water during this period.
5. Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with  Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

How to grow from tubers

1. Once the weather warms up stored tubers will start to form eyes or shoots. Once these start to form the tubers are ready to plant out.
2. Choose a sunny spot in the garden and fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as  Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.
3. Dig a hole that is double the size of the tuber and water well prior to planting.
4. Plant the tubers whole with the growing eyes or shoots facing up. When planting make sure that the root end of the tuber is covered by at least 10 cm of soil.
5. Once planted, do not water the tubers right away as this could encourage rot. It is best to wait until the sprouts have appeared above the soil to water.
6. Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with  Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Growing tips

• Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooms during summer and autum

• Taller varieties of Dahlias will require staking to maintain healthy growth and lovely blooms. For these varieties it is best to stake the plants upon planting the tubers to avoid any root disturbances later on.

• To encourage bigger blooms, leave two or three flower buds on the plant, disbud any additional or smaller buds that may form.

• Allow the plants to die down in late autumn and winter. Once the plants have died down, you can cut the plant down to ground level.
  
  
• In cooler areas or in poorly drained soils, it is best to dig up the tubers and store for the winter. When removing, take care not to damage the crowns and store either in a corner of the garden shed or in boxes filled wbers attached.
  
  
• Dahlias can be propagated from soft tuber cuttings in spring. Once the shoots have formed carefully cut between the shoots leaving some stem tissue surrounding the shoot and one or two tubers attached.

• When picking flowers for indoor decoration, this is best done in the cool or the evening.