How to Grow Dahlias Bulbs A Beginners Guide

Dahlia’s patience pays off big-time for gardeners. From midsummer to the first frost, dahlia’s produce a ridiculous amount of flowers. Those big and bold blooms have a striking presence and can completely change the look of a garden border. If you want to buy your first dahlia bulbs, it can feel extremely overwhelming. Choosing dahlia bulbs is actually simpler than it seems and buying dahlia bulbs is even easier.

What You’re Paying For

It should be mentioned that your dahlias bulbs are actually dahlia tubers. Tubers like dahlias are swollen, underground stem organs, and not true bulbs. The distinction does not matter but is a good fact to have for the dahlia gardener. A good tuber looks firm and healthy, and has a visible neck coming off the crown. You want to get rid of any non healthy tubers that look shrivelled or rotting.

Ideal Planting Dates

The time for dahlia planting is a matter of importance. These flowers can be damaged by frost so wait until the last frost of the season. In the UK, this is typically May. Some dahlia growers want to get a head start on the dahlia blooming season. These growers pot tubers in early April. If you choose to plant these straight in the ground, be careful of the frost. An early planting isn’t an early blooming, an early planting can actually set you back a few weeks.

Spot Selection

Dahlias thrive in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. They will survive in partial shade but will produce few flowers. Drainage in soil is an important factor to consider. Most tubers die in waterlogged soil. If you have heavy clay soil, try mixing in some grit or organic matter to improve the soil before planting.

How to Grow

To begin, dig a hole 10 to 15 cm deep. Place the dahlias bulbs horizontally with the eye facing upwards. The eye is a small bud at the crown end of the tuber and will shoot upwards when it grows. Once you’ve done this, backfill the soil and water it lightly. Be careful not to water too much, as this can cause the tuber to rot.

If you choose to plant a tall variety, be sure to place the stake at planting time. This will keep you from accidentally damaging a tuber when inserting it later.

Post-Planting Care

After planting, water regularly but in moderation. Once plants have grown to about 40 to 50 cm, pinch out the central growing tip. This will cause the plant to branch and produce more flowers. This might feel odd, but it will have great results.

From the middle of summer, fertilize with an application of a low-nitrogen, high-potash fertilizer to maintain flower production. Be sure to deadhead blooms to keep the production going.

Lifting and Storing

Begin autumn work in the garden by cutting the Dahlias stems back and lifting the tubers carefully with a fork. Once the first frosts appear, the tubers will be damaged, so they should be stored in an airy, dry place for a couple of weeks. They will need to be stored in a cool place, away from frost for the winter months. A garage is ideal. Be sure to keep the tubers in labelled bags, because when the spring comes, you’ll forget what varieties are stored where.

Some gardeners in the milder parts of the UK find that Dahlias Bulbs that are left in the ground over the winter thrive, especially with a thick mulch covering the crown. If the idea of lifting the tubers every winter does not appeal to you, it is worth leaving the tubers in the ground.

Getting Started

The first time you look at Dahlias Bulbs for sale, the variety of types, such as pompons, cactus, waterlily, and decorative types is overwhelming, to say the least. To make the process easier for yourself, start with just two or three varieties, and choose the colours that you really like. It will be easier to manage, and it is a system that helps you to learn quickly what will work in your particular garden.

When planting time comes, Dahlias bulbs are fussy. Once you find the right spot and conditions, they will be pretty self-sufficient. They are one of the absolute best productivity-focused plants to grow in your garden. After a good season with Dahlias, you’ll find yourself back shopping for more once the planting season comes \around again.