The Ultimate Guide to Growing Beautiful Dahlias

Dahlias are stunning flowers with large flower heads in almost all rainbow shades. They are tiny flowerets composed of one large, showy flower and are the stars of the winter season in India. 

I love to grow Dahlias in my home garden as they become the conversation starters of all my social gatherings and bring a smile to everyone’s faces. 

Getting Started: Picking the Right Spot

Dahlias love to bask in ample sunshine throughout the day. It is how they can grow to their full, bright, bloomy glory. Pick a spot in your garden that receives the entire day’s sunlight, from morning till evening. 

A healthy Dahlia flowering plant grows tall with a large, showy flower head, so a nice sunny spot is the key. Also, choose a less crowded planting site. If you use pots, choose a larger one to accommodate the root system. 

Dahlias do not like to have wet feet. They need soil that drains well and is a little crumbly so water can reach the roots and drain out of the drainage hole of the plant. 

Avoid clumpy or clayey soil, as it does not let the roots breathe. 

Planting Your Dahlias: Tubers, Not Seeds

Dahlias grow from tubers. Tubers are little plant parts, swollen and thickened, found underground near stems or roots. They are used to grow new plants and function as seeds from which a new baby grows.

If you are planting in a pot, here are the steps to follow:

• Fill the pot with soil. Dig small holes to place the Dahlia tubers or seeds with the pointy end facing up. This is where the stem of the plant will emerge from. 
• Sow seeds at least 3-4 inches deep and 5 inches apart to prevent crowding and cover with soil. Gently tap the top layer to settle and water using a watering can. 
• Do not use a hose pipe, as that might dislocate the tubers. 

The best time to plant Dahlias is just before the winter season when the weather is starting to take a slight dip and turn cooler. It is the perfect planting time. By the time November is here, you can expect beautiful saplings that will eventually grow into majestic, tall Dahlia flowering plants.
Alternatively, you can buy already prepared saplings from Urvann, and plant them in your garden for fast results on flowers. 

Taking Care of Your Dahlias: Water, Food, and Support

Water: 

Dahlias are drinkers, especially when the weather is warmer. Water them generously, but be careful not to make the soil soggy. These flowering plants hate wet feet, and this can also lead to root rot, as the roots might suffocate. Especially in planters, ensure that it has a drainage hole to prevent water accumulation.

If unsure when to water, stick your finger 2 inches deep into the soil. It is time to water if it feels flaky, dusty, or sun-baked. 

Food:

Just like us, plants need nutrition to grow and be healthy. Each plant can achieve a proper growth rate and health, which can only happen if it gets good food, just like humans.

Fertiliser and sunlight are essential sources of food for plants. There are many kinds of fertilisers you can also call food supplements available in the market that help your plants thrive. Flowering plants prefer more phosphorous to encourage more blooming. Start with a basic fertiliser such as NPK or bone meal. 

Support:

With proper nutrition, I have grown tall and strong Dahlia flowering plants. But that also means they need help standing up, as the weight of the flower head may be heavy on the stem, which is likely to bend or flop over. In this case, tie a stake or a wooden stick near the stem to provide support.

Keeping Pests Away: Bugs Be Gone!

Well, it seems that we humans and pesky bugs also love Dahlia flowers as much as we do. I have often seen snails and caterpillars munching away at the plant leaves, filling their little tummies. As much as I love all creations of mother nature, I wish to protect my beautiful Dahlias from them (they can munch on another plant!).

If you see any critters on the plants, just pick them up gently and take them out to the public garden, placing them on another juicy leaf. 

For other pest infections, such as aphids, use neem oil spray to drive away insects. If the infestation is significant, prune the affected part with scissors.

Enjoying Your Dahlias

After a couple of months, your dahlias will start to bloom and keep blooming until fall. The more sunshine they get, the more flowers they'll make!

After a couple of weeks, your Dahlia plants will start to bloom, creating a spectacular display of the most gorgeous orb-like flowers. The more sunshine the plants get, the better flowers they will make.

One of the most incredible things about Dahlias is that you can cut them and bring them indoors to use in cut-flower arrangements. Just use sharp scissors to cut the stems, fill a vase with water, and put the flowers inside. Light a little scented candle beside the flower for a cosy vibe. 

Extra Tips for Awesome Dahlias

• Deadheading: When a flower starts to get old and wilted, you can pinch it off. This is called deadheading. It encourages the plant to make more flowers instead of wasting energy on the old ones.
  
  
• Sharing is Caring: Dahlias are easy to share. You can give tubers to your friends and family so they can grow their beautiful flowers, too! The feeling is overwhelming when you see their garden blossoming as well as yours.
  
  

With a bit of care and attention, you can grow amazing dahlias that will make your garden the envy of the neighbourhood. So, get out there and get growing!

If you have any questions, comment down below!