The Wonderful World of Dahlias

Often on tours of our farm someone will ask, "What's that for?" referring to our dahlias. We respond, "Because they're beautiful." Although we don't eat dahlias (although the tubers are edible and were probably once used for sustinence), we love their addition to our garden. We sometimes don't get to spend as much time as we'd like planting and caring for our beloved dahlias, because it just so happens that dahlia season is the same time as tomato season. Lucky for us, we had a little help from our friend, Millie, or as we like to call her, the "Dahlia Queen."

Millie was gracious enough to donate some of her and her friends' prized bulbs for us to plant on our hillside outside our pasture fence. Once you get into the dahlia world it is truly fascinating, as there are thousands of varieties (just like the tomato). 

To plant a dahlia, we start by digging a shallow hole, about 4 inches deep. Then we drive a 5 foot, half-inch piece of rebar 2 feet into the ground and add a handful of Sustane (our all-purpose dry, organic fertilizer) into the hole, like so: 

 
Next we mix the Sustane into the soil at the bottom of the hole with our hands. Then we identify the sprout on the tuber and lay the tuber in the hole so the sprout is pointing up and placed right next to the rebar.

(Can you believe that this spud-looking thing is going to turn into the most fabulous flower you've ever laid your eyes on?!)

We add a little soil on top so the sprout is just peeking out of the soil, and water in. Heads up: if you are planting tubers that haven't sprouted yet, don't water them in until they sprout (to avoid rotting) unless you are in a very hot climate, and then you should water lightly.

And voila! With a little sun, a little water, and a little love, this is what becomes of that unassuming tuber:

 

 

Learn more about propagating dahlias and many other wonderful flowers and shrubs at our brand new Perennial Propagation Workshop.

 

 

Comments

[Dahlia Grower]

These are breath-taking pictures of my favorite flower! I love dahlias ever since my mom introduced it to me, but it was only a few days ago that I decided to start my own garden of dahlias. So, here I am gathering for some useful info and tips in growing dahlia tubers appropriately. I hope I could start as soon as I can.