How to Grow Dahlias
Dahlias are some of the most beautiful flowers one can grow. And are not much more difficult than other flowers you might grow in your garden.
Dahlias are a bushy, herbaceous plant native to Mexico. Dahlias produce tubers (part of the root system)
Dahlias are annual plants in most regions and are normally sold as tubers for planting. While they can be grown from seed, the plants those seeds produce will not be the same as the parent. Each seed may produce a plant with similar traits as its parents, but each is genetically unique. Tubers, however, are clones of the parent plant and will resemble the plant they came from.
If you want to grow dahlias, here are the basics to keep in mind:
Dahlia tubers need to be stored in a cool, but not freezing and high humidity environment through the winter months.
The tubers should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil with lots of organic matter after the risk of frost is over.
Make sure you do not over water dahlias after they are planted. They need very little water until the plants are at least 6”-12” tall.
As dahlias grow it is best to stake them so they to not fall over in the wind.
After 12-16 weeks they will start to produce flowers and will continue to do so all the way until your first frost.
The best way to extend the vase life of dahlia flowers is to make sure you keep them in clean water.
In the fall, after the plants die back, you can dig up the dahlia’s tubers to store them for another year.