Dahlia - Babylon bronze

Cultivation of Dahlia

Pre-cultivation

• When : Start in March-April.
• Pot size : About 20 litres.
• Soil : Flowering soil or planting soil mixed with peat.
• Planting : Place the tuber with the "eyes" upwards about 10 cm below the soil surface.
• Location : Bright and cool, optimum temperature 15°C.
• Watering : Water carefully before the shoots start to grow.

Planting Dahlias

• Hardening : Gradually over about a week in the sun, wind and temperature.
• Time frame : After the last night frost.
• Planting outdoors : About 10 cm deep, with a distance of 50-75 cm depending on the height of the variety.
• Location : Sun or partial shade, warm location.

Cultivation of dahlia tubers

• Soil : Well-drained and well-drained garden soil.
• Plant position : Sunny or semi-shady.
• Fertilizer and watering : Regular for intensive growth and flowering.
• Buds : Remove overbloomed flowers and any buds for larger flowers.
• Cut flowers : Dahlias are excellent as cut flowers.

Dahlia in Pot

• Pot size : 30 liters for low-growing varieties, at least 40 liters for tall-growing varieties.
• Soil : Well-fertilized potting soil at the bottom, seed soil at the top.
• Watering and fertilization : Regular.
• Topping : Topping at 15-20 cm for more branched and flowering stems.

Winter storage of dahlia tubers

• Time : After the first frosty nights in September.
• Preparation : Shake off excess soil, cut off old tubers and thin roots.
• Storage : Dry, cool and airy, e.g. in sawdust in a shoe box.
• Labeling : Label the tubers to know what to plant where.
• Control : Check the tubers for mold and remove any damaged parts.

Propagation of Dahlias

• Methods : Divide large tubers, take cuttings or seed (note that dahlias are not true to seed).
• Seeds : If seeds are sown, the new plant will not be identical to the parent.

Good to know

• Height, flower size and colour : Influenced by soil, light, temperature, water and nutrient availability.
• Flower color : May vary depending on the stage of the bloom.