Dahlia Planting & Care

STORE
Until planting - store in a cool, 40-50 degrees, dark location in purchased packaging.

PLAN
Find a location with 6+ hours a day of sun with well-draining soil. Wait to plant until soil temperature is approximately 60 degrees and no danger of frost, likely around Mother’s Day in most of the PNW.  
These are nice references: 
Last Frost Date:  www.garden.org/apps/frost-dates/
Soil Temperature:  www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature

PLANT
Amend the area 1-2" inches compost or organic material.  Dig a whole 4-6” deep, add a handful of bone meal, lay tuber on its side (like laying in a bed) with eye facing upwards. Add a support stake a couple inches from eye and cover tuber with dirt.  Space dahlias a minimum of 12” apart.  DO NOT WATER. Protect from Slugs & Snails.

WATER
Begin watering when sprout is 2-3” tall.  If you water too soon they will rot!  Ideally soil should stay moist (not wet) 1” under the soil line, likely 2-3x a week.  

PINCH 
Once your dahlias have 4-5 sets of leaves, pinch out the center stalk to promote branching, longer stronger stems and more blooms!  
Here's a video from Kristine Albrecht on how to pinch out.

BE PATIENT
Most dahlias take 3-5 weeks to break ground and the average time to bloom is 90 days. Warmer days speed the process, cooler days slow it down.   The larger the size bloom, typically the longer it takes.

HARVEST
Don’t hesitate to cut your dahlias!   Cutting signals the plant to keep flowering!   For the best vase life, harvest early or late in the day.  Look for blooms that are 75% open and do not have any tissue papery petals on the back.  Cut deep, 18-24” (at least to your elbow) to promote continued blooming.   

BLOOM CARE
Change water every 2 days and give them a fresh cut each time to prolong vase life. 

There are many schools of thought on how care for dahlias!  Compiled above is a simplified explanation of how I grow.   If you'd like more detailed information or have questions, please feel free to reach out through Instagram or email to al@dragonflybloomswa.com.   I am here to help!