How to Grow Dahlias

The good news is that dahlias are among the easiest flowers to grow! All dahlia tubers, regardless of size, will
produce equally strong plants and prolific blooms. Use the steps below to help guide you through the process.

Storage

After purchasing your dahlia tubers, remove the dahlias from the packaging material and store the tubers in a cool (50 degrees is ideal), dark place until planting time.

Dividing Dahlias

You can divide tubers in the fall, or in the spring. Both are equally as good but the eyes on the tubers may be easier to see in the spring. Whenever you choose to divide your tuber cluster start by looking over the cluster and recognizing the eyes next to the stalk. You might wish to divide the cluster in half or quarters and then work on dividing it into individual tubers.

All adequate tubers must have at least one root with one or more eyes on it showing. Size of the tuber in no way determines the size of the next season’s plant. You might find yourself throwing away what look to be good tubers without eyes. We do it every season by the thousand, not every root will produce an eye.

Dahlias may be stored as individual tuber or as large clusters. After digging, dry tubers with a fan or a well ventilated basement. Once dry place full cluster or individual tubers in any storage container. We use Vermiculite but dry peat moss or fine chipped wood will work as well. Cover tubers with your median and place in cool dry place. Tubers cannot get too hot or freeze. Maintain a temperature of around 45 degrees all winter until spring planting. It’s important to check your tubers every 3 weeks and remove any mold or add moisture.

Location

Dahlias grow best in well-drained soil protected from wind. Full sun is ideal, but they will tolerate some shade.

Spacing

Space your dahlias according to the size of the blooms: giants and mediums should be 2' to 3' apart. Small, miniature, and pompon dahlias about 2' apart.

Soil Preperation

In the spring, before planting, enrich your soil with organic matter such as manure, mushroom compost or garden compost from the previous year. Other non-organic products such as 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 may be used instead or in addition with your soil treatments. Other soil improving additives like sand, and or peat moss can be added if your location requires additional buildup.

We currently have two locations where we grow dahlias. One is heavy in clay; sand is needed to help with drainage. The other is very sandy; peat moss in addition to heavy composting is helping to build up the soil. Both soils grow exceptional dahlias but require different treatments.

Planting Dahlias

Plant after last frost, from April 20th to June 15th. Place eye of tuber between 4” and 6” deep horizontally with the eye facing upwards. You may choose to pound a stake in the ground at this point next to the tuber before you cover it. Otherwise, you may damage your tuber by pounding your stake into the tuber after it’s covered and starting to grow.

Summer Cultivation

Dahlias have many surface roots and require weeding to avoid stunting during the first couple months. After this point, the plants will overtake most competitors in the garden and shade out the weeds. After July, cultivate no deeper than 2" and no closer than 1" from the stalk. Unless the weather is very hot and dry (Southern climates), dahlias will need very little water until they begin to bloom.

Then water thoroughly; soak ground every week to week and a half. Staking may be required if dahlias are taller then 3' and/or in windy area. Larger dahlias (dinner plant varieties) may require additional staking due to heavy flower heads.

Beware of slugs especially early in the season when dahlias are just appearing from the ground. Slug bait may be required around each tuber. Other pests such as earwigs, aphids, or cucumber beetles can be damaging as well. Organic insecticidal soaps should be applied to affected areas as soon as they appear to stop the spread. Diazanon can be used as a non-organic but affective method for controlling insects. Any application of insecticides should be applied early in the morning or late in the day.

Cut Dahlia Flowers

This is what any gardener waits for during the year. Now you have an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of your labor with fresh flowers inside your home. Dahlias should be cut in the early morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is off the plants. Place fresh cut dahlias in tepid (warm) water for about one half hour and replace with tap temperature water. Blooms will last from 3 days to over a week depending on the varieties. Change water frequently and avoid placing your cut flowers in a hot or sunny location.

* For longest lasting flowers pick your dahlias as cut flowers when they are about two thirds open.