Dahlia pinnata are half - stalwart perennial , in the beginning from Mexico , and now very democratic in the United States . Very adaptable , they arise well in any type of grunge . They are versatile , being used for garden decoration , make out flowers , floral art , and exhibition . Few flush can couple them for their extensive stove of brilliant colors , their broad variety of shape and sizes , and their long flowering menstruum . They brook extremes of climate and , even in a poor time of year , some kinds will bring forth over one hundred blossom .
assortment In stature Dahlia pinnata range from the Lilliput type , I ft . high , to the more normal types which can reach out a height of over 5 ft . , although the norm is about 3 1/2 foot . The sizes of the blooms change tremendously , from about 1 in . across to over 14 in .
There are fourteen groups as follows :
INCURVED CACTUS
Fully double flowers with the margins of the majority of the flowered ray fully revolute for 1/2 more of their length and the tips of the beam slew toward the center of the flower .
STRAIGHT CACTUS
Fully double bloom with the margins of the majority of the floral rays to the full revolute for 1/2 their length or more , the rays being straight , slightly incurved or recurved .
SEMI - CACTUS DAHLIA
full double flowers with the margins of the bulk of the floral rays fully revolute for few than+ their length and the rays broad below .
BALL DAHLIAS
in full double bloom ball - shaped or slightly flattened . flowered rays numb or round at tips and quilled or with border involute for more than 1/2 the length of the ray in a volute arrangement , the heyday over 3 1/2 in . in diameter .
MINIATURE DAHLIAS
All Dahlia pinnata which usually bring out flowers that do not exceed 4 in . in diameter . Pompoms except , to be assort grant to the forfeit description .
Miniature Single , Miniature Peony , Miniature Straight Cactus , Miniature Semi - cactus , Miniature Formal Decorative , Miniature Informal Decorative .
POMPOM DAHLIAS
Having the same characteristics as Ball Dahlias but for show purpose not more than 2 in . in diameter .
individual DAHLIAS
Open - center flowers with only one row of light beam florets with the margins flat or nearly so , regardless of the number of floret .
MIGNON
Single flower , the works are approximately 18 in . in height .
orchidaceous plant - FLOWERING dahlia
peak as in single dahlias take out that the ray are more or less tubelike by the involution of the margins .
ANEMONE DAHLIAS
Open - centered efflorescence , with only one row of ray florets , regardless of manikin or turn of the florets , with the tubular disk florets stretch , forming a pincushion effect .
COLLARETTE DAHLIAS
Open centered flowers with only one row of ray florets , with the addition of a different color , forming a catch around the disc .
PAEONY DAHLIAS
open up pore flowers with two to five rows of ray floweret with or without the addition of smaller curling or perverted flowered shaft around the magnetic disk .
FORMAL DECORATIVE DAHLIAS
Fully two-fold flush , with the margins of the floral ray more or less or not at all revolute , the ray generally all-inclusive , either pointed or rounded at wind , with outer light beam lean to recurve and primal rays incline to be cupped ; and the legal age of all floral rays in a regular arrangement .
INFORMAL DECORATIVE DAHLIAS
Fully double prime , with the margins of the majority of the floral rays somewhat or not at all revolute , the rays in the main long , twisted , or point and usually irregular in the organisation .
Planting location
Dahliasprefer an open gay position but will still grow well in a partially shaded spot , away from Tree . They look brilliant when mass in a bed or border by themselves . They also fit in well with other flora in the herbaceous boundary line , if they are localize carefully to use their various elevation and colors to best effect . The 1 - foot . tall dwarf sort will add summertime vividness to the sway garden or can be planted in a bed in a retaining wall or even in a window loge . Planted in tub or other containers , they will brighten up a patio , bench or other paved area .
Soil Cultivation
unmarried digging is all that is necessary . This should be done in late fall or former winter on intemperate soil , leaving the ground rough for the snow and Robert Lee Frost to dampen it down ; light soils can be left until other bounce . Every soil benefits from the improver of humus - forming stuff such as farmyard manure , peatmoss , horse manure , leaf modeling , compost , straw , seaweed , etc . , comprehend into the top few in .
A month or so before planting , the soil should be break in down to a sensible tilth and a top dressing of either bonemeal or a ecumenical fertiliser should be scan into the top couple of column inch of soil .
Planting Out
Dahlias can be grow either from tubers or green plants . Tubers are the ancestor that have formed at the theme of a flora grown the previous time of year . They can be planted from early May onwards . Space the tall types about 21 foot . asunder , the gnome bedding types ti ft . apart , and the Dwarf eccentric I ft . A stout 4 ft . stake or cane is needed for the taller types and these are put in position first . Plant the tubers 6 - in . bass , just in front of the cane . On poor soil put in a distich of handfuls of a mixture of peatmoss and a niggling cosmopolitan fertilizer , into the fix and put the genus Tuber on this , stem turn upwardly , and sate in the hole with fine grime . Once the shoots come out above ground they are treated exactly as green industrial plant .
Green plants are plant as before long as all peril of hoarfrost is over . Canes are put in berth first and a hole slightly expectant than the plant rootball is acquire out just in front of the cane . ) A planting mixture of peatmoss and fertilizer will help oneself to get the plants off to a fast-flying start on poor filth . Place the plant in the muddle and fill it in with soil . Tie the plant loosely to the cane with easy twine then water the plants in well . direct a few slug pellets around each flora .
Summer Management
For the first three or four weeks after constitute , hoe the grease between the plant to keep down the weeds . When the plants have evolve five or six pairs of leave-taking , pinch out the growing baksheesh to elevate bushy growth . As the side shoots get after this bar they will call for to be hold back tie into the cane .
The filth around the plants should never be allow to dry out out . Dahlias benefit greatly from the applications programme of a mulch which will minify the need for watering . Apply this in early July to a profundity of about 4 in . , all covering the filth around the plants .
Flowering
The first flowers should get to appear about mid or late July . Better quality flower can be hold by disbud ding , which means remove the two small side bud which appear either side of the master or final bud . Also take away the two side shoots which come out at the articulation of the pair of leaves below the unfolding bud . Left to themselves dahlia produce dozens of small hapless lineament flush on little root word ; a little twinkle disbudding and de - shooting makes an awe-inspiring deviation .
washed-out blooms should be removed to ensure the continuation of blossoming . This is particularly significant with the single - flowering types which form seed heads very chop-chop . When cut blooms for the mansion expend a sharp knife , make a long slanting cut , and plunge the stalk forthwith in deep piss ; cut in this way , dahlia should easily last a week . bring down as many flush as you like , as often as you like .
Give the plants an casual foliar provender . check that that all the plants to be saved for next class are clearly label with their name ( if known ) , or eccentric and color .
Lifting and Storing
Lifting The tubers which have mold at the base of the plants will need to be lifted and stored for the wintertime . After the Robert Lee Frost has killed the foliage shorten through the independent fore about 6 in . above dirt level . With a branching loosen the dirt polish up the tuber then press the crotch underneath and sneak the genus Tuber .
Remove surplus soil from the beginning and place them stem downwards in a greenhouse , shed , service department , or spare elbow room for about ten days to dry out . While they are drying the tuber can be prepare for repositing . trim down off the slight ropey root from the ends of the Tuber and prune the stem down to about 2 in . Any damaged end of the root should be trimmed off and the stinger surface dusted with either unripened sulfur or a mixture of slaked lime and bloom of sulfur in equal division . Tie the recording label securely to the shank .
hive away If a freeze - barren garage , shed or supernumerary room is available , place the tubers in shallow boxes of peatmoss or dry land . A cool cellar makes an idealistic storage place . Where Robert Frost protection can not be guaranteed , protect the tubers by placing them in stout wooden or cardboard boxes filled with an insulating material such as juiceless land , gumption , ashes , pale yellow or sawdust .
visit the Tuber once or doubly while they are in store to verify they are sound . palpate each tuber ; if any parts are lenient and brown this argue rot which will have to be trimmed away and the cutting surface dusted with sulphur / lime pulverisation . Any tubers with a bloodless fluffy deposit ( mould ) will demand to be wiped clean with a teetotal cloth and dust with S / quicklime .
Propagation
Dahlias are very comfortable to propagate , whether from seed , division of Tuber , or by cutting . sow seed Plants will not reproduce dead on target to type or color from seed , except for the single Coltness type and the semi - double dwarf bedders .
inseminate the seed in March in a heated up greenhouse , thinly , in pans or flats of general seed compost or one of the soilless seed composts , covering the seed with an in . of compost . Once they develop they should be pricked out 24 to a flat . raise the plant on nonchalantly and in April move them to a cold frame to harden off before plant them out in belated May or early June .
Dividing tubers
A Dahlia pinnata tuber consists of a stem which is attached to the jacket crown or taking into custody where the eyes or bud are locate ; swollen , potato - like tubers are attached to the crest . There are two types of tuber ; the ground genus Tuber is usually quite gravid and is formed at the home of a flora produce outside without restriction ; the pot genus Tuber is little and heavyset and is form at the foot of cutting get throughout the season in deal .
Before dividing the tuber the heart must be visible and are wheedle into life by placing the tubers in moist peatmoss or compost in late March or former April in flat which are come out either in a greenhouse or cold underframe or on a sunny windowsill in the house . Once the eyes are seeable , cut back down the mall of the stem between the buds , right through the tuber . The further division may be potential , depending on the size of it of tuber and the post of the eyes , but each piece to be institute must carry a portion of stem attached to a bit of the summit abide an eye , and at least one share of swollen root or genus Tuber . The part can either be planted out in other May or grown on in flats in the greenhouse and implant out in belated May .
Taking Cuttings
Large numbers of cuttings can be study from dahlia tubers ; they settle well in a tender glasshouse in a minimum temperature of 60 ° F . If any tubers show signs of rot or mildew , treat them as report earlier . The tubers are boxed up in moist peatmoss or compost , or they can be bedded down on the overt greenhouse bench , if potential , over some form of bottom high temperature . Keep the compost moist .
The cuttings are taken when the shoot are 3 - 4 in . long and are ordinarily placed round the sides of a pot or pan or placed in a flatbed in dustup .
With a sporty sharp tongue cut through the shoot just below the lowest folio joint . Trim off the humiliated foliage , dim the close of the press cutting in a hormone rooting pulverization then localize the cut 1 in . deeply in the compost . blank the slip so that the leaves are just clear of each other and pee light . Place the cuttings in a propagate frame , or retire the pots in moist peatmoss on the capable workbench and bring home the bacon shade .
Spray the cuttings with a antimycotic to keep damping off and after a day or so let them a free flow of air . To lessen the jeopardy of flagging , spray the cutting off with tepid pee twice day by day until rooting hold place in about 14 days .
Pot the root cuttings singly into 3 1/2 - in . pots of universal compost or a peat - found compost . Keep the plant life in a shady smirch in the nursery for a Clarence Day or so before placing them on a ledge near the glass , hold the greenhouse well ventilate . In April transfer the plant to a cold-blooded frame , keep the girdle closed for a couple of sidereal day then progressively allow more ventilation until , towards planting out time in late May or , in the colder area , in early June , the lights can be left off completely . At all times protect the flora from extreme common cold .
Recommended Dahlia VarietiesDecorative DahliasGiant:‘Arthur Godfrey ’ . A strong raiser with very large peak which are cerise with orange shading;‘Hamad Girl ’ , lavender pink , well-heeled to grow;‘Hollands Festival ’ , orangish with clean tips;‘Ohcho ’ , creamy - yellow very vigorous .
Large:‘Ben Hill ’ , red bloom to top quality;‘Jacqueline Kennedy ’ , copious purple;‘Leone ’ , white suffused lavender with deeper lavender centers .
Medium:‘After You ’ develop pile of yellow-bellied flowers ripe for cutting or exhibition;‘Cherokee Charm ’ , clear pink , flower early on in the season;‘First Lady ’ , Dresden yellow , reflex shape;‘Golden Treasure ’ , amber blooms , for cut bloom or exhibition;‘Purple Velvet ’ , empurple with a velvety luster and outstanding exhibition variety;‘Sterling Silver ’ , an great white variety .
Small:‘Early Bird ’ , empurpled and white , other flowering;‘Fete D’Orange ’ , orange bloom which appear early in the season;‘Lions International ’ , rose - pinkish and spectacular variety;‘Southern Beauty ’ , white suffused purpleness , a good exhibition variety;‘Tammy Foondle ’ , primrose yellow;‘Ventura ’ , yellow , good for exposition or slip .
Miniature:‘Bobo ’ , bronze suffused with scarlet at tips of petals;‘Silver Spring ’ , pinkish , o.k. for exhibition;‘Treasure ’ , pink .
Cactus DahliasGiant:‘Clarion Royalty ’ , majestic , unassailable growth , an splendid expo variety .
Large:‘Frontispiece ’ , white;‘Goldie ’ , golden apricot , an undischarged variety .
Medium:‘Alabama Melody ’ , clear pink , early unfolding , a beneficial exhibition variety . ‘Extravaganza ’ , ruby , early blossom of serious quality;‘Krijnens Jubileum ’ , yellow , strong growing and early florescence
Small:‘Dicky Bill ’ , pink with scarlet streaking , very early;‘Maude Crawford ’ , yellow , flowers early and profusely;‘Orange Parfait ’ , orangish - ruby , low growing;‘Shawnee Lavender ’ , early , heyday colored pink;‘Sonnet ’ , yellow;‘Sundown ’ , petals white fee purple . A good cut heyday
Semi Cactus Dahlias : Giant:‘Arab Queen ’ , coral pinkish flower , yellow center;‘Super ’ , salmon red ink , one of the largest;‘Mary Elizabeth ’ , dark flushed , secure growing
Medium:‘Extravaganza ’ , scarlet , other flowering;‘Fair Lady ’ , rose and white , adept for cutting;‘Lady Elaine ’ , bloodless , unspoilt for exhibition;‘Mrs D. Bortels ’ , orange , a prolific bloomer;‘Shawnee Dream ’ , pink , a good exhibition variety
Small:‘Country Music ’ , yellow;‘Herbert Smith ’ , pink , an excellent show diverseness and first class for cutting;‘Poise ’ , red and ashen , very outstanding colour compounding
Ball Dahlias‘Butterball ’ , light jaundiced , unattackable growing;‘Clyde Carraway ’ , very vigorous , golden streaked red;‘Pat’N Dee ’ , white
Pompom:‘Bronze Beauty ’ , bronze and orangish , very strong growing;‘Clarisse ’ , golden orange , fine for cutting or exhibition;‘Willos Violet ’ , thick purpleness on low-cal ground .
sea anemone Flowered:‘Comet ’ , deep velvet blood red;‘Vera Higgins ’ , fawn and orange .
Colleretts:‘Coincident ’ , cherry ruby and yellow;‘La Cierva ’ , purple .
Paeony Flowered:‘Bishop of Llandaff ’ , ruddy with dark foliage .
individual Flowered:‘Bright Flash ’ , red , vigorous grower;‘Tango Century ’ , bronze shades .
