Bright & Breezy Dahlia

• My Dahlias have been flowering early and successfully since the beginning of July. The white cactus plants are the most forward with the collarettes just starting.
• I no longer leave the plants in the ground over winter as I have lost too many tubers to rot in the wet conditions we get in Yorkshire.
• I store tubers in old pillowcases in the garage. Plastic bags would cause fungus and rot.
• I divide up the tubers in early spring.  Some are easy to divide thus increasing stock. Other clumps of tubers need cutting into pieces all with a neck left on from last year. New growth comes from the neck not the tuber itself.
• I start off the tubers in plant pots but I am too lazy to take cuttings which I am told would make stronger plants.

Dahlia Cut Flowers

• There are as many cut flower tips as there are dahlia species. Dahlia are meant to be long lasting in a vase.
• Keep your cut dahlias out of the sun and out of the heat.
• Pick early in the day as with most cut flower.
• Choose blooms that have started to unfurl – neither tight  buds nor fully open.
• Place the Dahlia stems in  hot tap water then allow them to cool for an hour.
• Use fresh water when arranging then change it every couple of days.
• Remove any foliage from the stems to avoid it decaying in the water.

Garden tips

• Cut back to encourage more stems and deadhead to encourage more blooms
• Water well and regularly
• Stake taller varieties
• Give dahlias plenty of room