Want to Know More About Growing Dahlias to Get Great Results?

Dahlias are truly the kings of the August arrivals - they are giants in every way. They are greedy, because unless they are placed in rich soil, they will not fully blossom, and they also need constant watering. Although they are perfectly hardy, you must feed them well if you want the really spectacular displays, which they are able.

If you want good results in the cultivation of dahlias, you'll need to know a bit about them first.

Dahlias grown from seed, officially half-hardy perennials, early sown and raised as half-hardy annuals to flower the same year until the frost. By that time they have become tubers, which should be lifted and carefully preserved through the winter until Easter.
Meanwhile, the seedling dahlia plants in the popular types - cactus, decorative, pompon, or so-called dwarfs - (amounting to more than 60 cm (2ft)) will grow to a height ranging from 30 to 120 cm (1 - 4ft) . The appeal which should be used for comfort, because the flowers are heavy and the stems are relatively fragile.

As you probably already know, you can them from seed for bedding displays, but the tubers, which gives you the greats. Plant them 15cm (6in) deep and do not forget in a solid bet. We may some pretty terrible storm during their heyday, and unless they are backed up your laborious preparatory work can be ruined in seconds.

Incidentally, if you want them cut, the golden rule is to do in the morning or evening, never as the sun at its peak. You must also be careful with lifting them. This should happen immediately after the frost has them, first cutting the stalks into manageable lengths.

There are many classifications and hundreds of species in trade, too many to mention, and the new varieties appear almost every year by the score. They are available in multiple colors, and the study of an up-to-date catalog is of course the best way of making your choice. However, I can supply you with a brief overview of the types and sizes, which can help determine where to look!

Cactus and semi-cactus species have chrysanthemum-style ribbon flowers.

Decoratives have flat umbels with a wide, overlapping petals.

Pompons or ball dahlias have globular flower heads, and Collar Ettes have a ring of petals on each other more.