7 Secrets to Growing Dahlias That Never Die (No Matter What You Do), by Gardening with Ruth on YouTube. 19 min 50 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 50 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Wait until the soil has warmed to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold, wet soil makes tubers rot before they sprout, so plant in late spring rather than early.
Dig a hole four to six inches deep and lay the tuber flat with the eye or sprout pointing up. Cover it with soil and water lightly.
Space plants two to three feet apart. Good airflow between them lowers the risk of mildew and other disease.
Push a stake into the ground beside each tuber at planting time. Tie the growing stem to it loosely as it rises, before the plant flops over.
Water regularly once growth starts, but let the top of the soil dry a little between waterings. Avoid soaking newly planted tubers.
Start fertilizing about four weeks after planting, using a balanced feed or compost. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which gives leaves but few flowers.
To overwinter in the ground in mild areas, cut the stems back after the first frost and cover the crown with a thick layer of mulch.
In cold areas, dig tubers after frost blackens the foliage. Lift them with a fork, shake off soil, cut the stems to a few inches and let them dry.
Store the dried tubers in a box of dry peat or newspaper in a cool, frost-free place. Check them through winter and remove any soft or moldy ones.
Tips and common mistakes
Planting too early in cold soil is the most common reason tubers rot before they sprout.
Stake at planting time, not after the plant falls, so you do not spear the tuber later.
Label each tuber with its variety name, since stored tubers all look alike.
Beginner-friendly choices include Bishop of Llandaff, Mystic Dreamer and Cafe Au Lait.
Questions
Can dahlias stay in the ground all winter?
Yes, in mild areas with good drainage. Cut the stems back after frost and cover the crown with a heavy mulch. In hard frost areas, dig and store the tubers instead.
Why do my dahlia tubers rot before they sprout?
Usually because they were planted in cold, wet soil. Wait until the soil reaches about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and do not overwater before growth appears.
Do dahlias need full sun?
Yes, they bloom best in at least six hours of direct sun a day. Poor light gives tall, weak plants with few flowers.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
