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When to plant dahlias outside


for bold blooms and beautiful cut flowers |

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They bloom from mid-summer to late fall, but you might be asking when to plant dahlias to enjoy their extravagant display. 

Growing dahlias extends the season with big, bold flowers that fill the backyard with color. Most are tall, adding height at the back of the border, and the single-flowered cultivars provide nectar for bees and butterflies. On top of that, dahlias have a cut-and-come-again habit, so they supply beautiful, fresh flowers for the house. 

Our guide has the details on when to plant dahlia to get the most from these colorful, exotic flowers. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When to plant dahlias

Hailing from Central America, dahlias shouldn’t be planted outside until the weather warms. If you have stored or bought tubers the answer to when to plant dahlia tubers is to pot them up under cover (for example, in a greenhouse) in March or April. Rooted dahlia cuttings are also best started off under cover in mid to late spring. And potted dahlias should go in the ground after risk of frost has passed, which is May or June in most regions. 

Dahlias are available in such a vast range of colors and shapes that you can select the ones that best suit your style of garden. For instance, the cactus and ball varieties bring retro glamour; the single and anemone forms fit into jungle-style flower bed ideas; and the huge dinner-plate dahlias are a must-have for a cutting garden. 

‘I like to intersperse dahlias among other plants,’ says Oregon-based landscape architect and garden designer Bethany Rydmark . ‘For example, dahlias work well in modern meadows, as accents in a mixed border, or as infill in a parterre.’

When to plant dahlia tubers indoors

Dahlia tubers that you have stored over winter or bought can be potted up under cover (for example, in a greenhouse) in March or April, and then planted outside in May or June.  

‘Planting tubers will often give you earlier flowers,’ say Dave and Sue Hall at specialist dahlia nursery Halls of Heddon , near Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, ‘because more often than not they will produce multiple shoots which will not need pinching out.’ 

It is best to harden off the young plants to acclimatize them to outdoor conditions before planting. For example, by placing them in a cold frame or by sitting them outdoors during the day for a week covered with fleece, then gradually remove the fleece.

When to plant dahlia tubers outdoors

What about when to plant dahlia tubers outdoors? ‘Dahlia tubers can be safely planted out between April and May,’ say Dave and Sue Hall. ‘The warmer the climate, the earlier you can plant. So the further south you live in the UK, the earlier you can plant.’ 

In most parts of the UK and the northern US, it is safe to plant dahlia tubers direct outside from mid to late April. 

Usually, the tubers will set about growing their roots during late spring and begin sending up new shoots in early summer. However, sometimes they may shoot early in warm spring weather. Don’t worry because this won’t damage the plant in the long run. 

‘Growth that emerges too early may be nipped back by spring frosts,’ say Dave and Sue. ‘The plants will recover and it should result in bushier plants earlier on, as they will have had a natural pinch.’ 

When to plant rooted dahlia cuttings

Mini plants, known as ‘rooted cuttings’, are readily available from dahlia suppliers in mid to late spring. They are often more reliable than tubers in establishing robust plants faster and can produce a better flower color. 

If possible, plant them up under cover (for example, in a greenhouse) during spring. ‘Dahlia rooted cuttings can be planted directly outside, but they will certainly benefit from being potted up and grown on for at least a few weeks before planting out,’ say Dave and Sue Hall. ‘In the south of the UK, planting out can be done from early to mid May. In the north and Scotland, you would not normally plant out until June. We would not advise planting out before the date of the last expected frost in your area.’ 

Harden off the young plants before planting out, in order to prepare them for the weather outside. For example, by placing them in a cold frame or by sitting them outdoors during the day for a week covered with fleece, then gradually remove the fleece. 

When to plant potted dahlias

In late spring and early summer, ready-grown dahlias in pots can be bought from nurseries. As for when to plant dahlia like these? They can be put directly into sunny borders once all risk of frost has passed. 

‘Only buy fresh, strongly growing plants that have not become pot bound,’ advise Dave and Sue Hall. ‘Being pot bound will put a check on their growth and they will be slower to get away.’ 

To check if a plant is pot bound, peer underneath to see what the roots look like. If they are old and in a dense knot under the plastic container or – if you are able to slide the plant out of its container – should they be growing around and around the compost, avoid purchase.

When to plant dahlias in pots

If you want to grow dahlias in pots to brighten up the patio or terrace, plant the tubers into well-drained containers of peat-free compost under cover (for example, in a greenhouse) in March or April. Then, once risk of frost has passed, move the pots outside into a sunny position. 

‘Totally Tangerine’ (orange), ‘Red Fox’ (scarlet), and ‘Verrone’s Obsidian’ (claret) all reach around 2.5ft (75cm), making them ideal for containers. Water dahlias in pots regularly, as they like moist compost. 

When to sow dahlia seed

Dahlias are usually grown from tubers, which is far easier and quicker. However, if you like a challenge, they can also be raised from seed. Sow the seed under cover (for example, in a greenhouse or on a bright windowsill) in early spring. Once they are large enough, harden off the young plants and then plant into borders in June. 

When should I start my dahlia tubers?

Start dahlia tubers in March or April by potting them up under cover; plant them outside in May or June.  If you don’t have space to start them in a greenhouse or indoors, dormant tubers can be planted directly outdoors between April and May.

How late can you plant dahlia tubers?

You can plant dahlia tubers as late as May or June in most regions. When it comes to their blooming season, they should carry on up until frost.  

Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens since 1990, working her way around the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-nineties. She was Associate Editor on Ideal Home, and Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine, before moving into digital in 2007, launching Channel 4's flagship website, Channel4.com/4homes. In 2018, Lucy took on the role of Global Editor in Chief for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a small magazine add-on to a global success. She was asked to repeat that success at Homes & Gardens, where she has also taken on the editorship of the magazine. 

How to Plant, Grow & Care for Dahlias

Written by:
Sarah Raven
Last updated:

complete growing guide

Dahlias are some of the lowest maintenance, highest production cut flowers and garden plants you can grow. Here at Perch Hill, we grow hundreds and hundreds of dahlias, and they are the highlight of the summer and autumn garden. Excellent cut for a vase, each dahlia tuber can produce hundreds of flowers, meaning a colourful show inside and out for weeks on end. They come in all different sizes and colours, each as exciting as the next, but they also come in myriad shapes. Find out more about dahlias by exploring our huge collection of dahlia plants and tubers.

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JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

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SEP

OCT

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DEC

Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors

Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors

Flowers/Harvest

how to grow dahlias

where to grow dahlias

Soil type: Dahlias grow best in a fertile, well-drained soil.

Aspect & position: Dahlias thrive in most sunny situations, but a sheltered position is ideal.

when to plant dahlias

Dahlias are tender tubers, which means they won’t survive a frost. Start them off undercover in early spring, then plant them outside after the frosts have passed in late May or June.

how to plant dahlias

sowing dahlia seeds

Dahlias are commonly started into growth as tubers, as this is a faster and often more reliable way to grow them, but it is possible to grow dahlias from seed.

Dahlia seeds should be sown between February and April undercover. Sow 0.5cm deep in trays of moist compost. Place in a warm position, about 15-20°C (60-68°F). Keep moist. 

Transplant seedlings to deeper trays or individual small pots when large enough to handle. 

Grow on in cooler, but frost-free conditions. Gradually harden off young plants before planting out after the risk of frost has passed in May and June.

planting dahlia tubers in pots

Dahlia tubers can be started into growth in March or April in pots undercover, and then planted out in the garden in late May and June.  

Start by half-filling a 2 or 3 litre pot with peat-free multi-purpose compost. Place the tuber in the pot with the central stem upwards and cover with more compost. Don’t forget to label and lightly water the pot, then place it somewhere warm and frost-free – a greenhouse is ideal. Don’t water again until they start to shoot, and even then only water lightly.

After 2-3 weeks, shoots will start appearing – some varieties may take a little longer. As these shoots grow, pinch out the tips of the main shoot (you can use a sharp knife or a squeeze between your thumb and forefinger), down to the top pair of leaves.

As the plant starts to grow further, remove all but five shoots sprouting from the tuber. This will feel harsh, but by having only five stems, this will allow each stem to develop, grow strong and vigorous, and the result is lots of flowers!

Watch a video on how to do this below.

planting dahlia tubers in the ground

If you don’t have space to plant the tubers in pots first, you can put them straight into the ground in spring – just make sure the frosts are nearly over.  

Plant the tubers just under the soil surface and ensure they are approximately 75cm (30in) apart, depending on variety. 

Insert a stout stick to act as a stake when planting as they can make sizeable plants when fully grown. Mulch over the top of them or protect them with a cloche or horticultural fleece. This is particularly important if the foliage appears before the frosts are over.

Whether you have raised your dahlia tubers outside in the garden or undercover, you need to pinch out the tips of the main shoot once three pairs of leaves have grown. You can use a sharp knife or a squeeze between your thumb and forefinger, and pinch out down to the top pair of leaves.


planting dahlia plants 

If you have a dahlia in a 2 or 3 litre pot that you’ve grown from a tuber or bought as a plant, you can plant it outside once the risk of frost has passed in spring. Dig a planting hole for each plant in a sunny, sheltered position.
 
The hole needs to be at least 30cm (1ft) square, 30cm (1ft) deep and the plants should be spaced approximately 75cm (30in) apart, depending on variety. Add plenty of organic matter to the hole. On heavy clay, add grit to the planting hole. Place the dahlia in the hole with the tubers just below the soil surface and fill in around the rootball.

Insert a stake when planting as they can make sizeable plants when fully grown. You will need a stout stake (not just a bamboo cane) to support each plant and it is a good idea to knock this in first and then place the plant by its side.

As they grow, pinch out the growing tips once three pairs of leaves have grown to encourage branching. 

With the stake in place at planting, you can continue to tie them in every couple of weeks. Dahlias grow very quickly once they get going and can easily break off right at the base in wind or rain if they are not securely staked.

growing dahlias in a pot

Dahlias are usually started in pots undercover and then planted out in the garden, however it is possible to grow dahlias in a pot. Make sure you choose a slightly compact dahlia variety, as some dahlias can grow over 1. 5m (5ft) tall. Then choose a container which is at least 30cm (1ft) in diameter and 40cm (15in) deep for optimum growth. Use peat free multi-purpose compost and add a slow-release fertiliser for strong growth.

Plant dahlia tubers and plants as you would when planting in the ground, just under the surface of the compost. Then add a stake, a label and water well.

If you’re starting dahlias into growth in March or April, place the pot somewhere light, warm and frost-free. If you’re starting in early summer, simply leave the pot outdoors.

how to care for dahlias

watering

Dahlias prefer a moist soil. In a drought, water them once a week and water with a good flood, not a gentle sprinkle. If your dahlias are in pots, water them frequently – every day during a drought. They are thirsty plants.

fertilising

If your dahlias are in pots, either use a slow release fertiliser or feed fortnightly with a liquid comfrey or seaweed fertiliser. Start after the first month.

staking

All dahlias should be grown alongside a stake. Make sure to continue to tie the dahlias in every couple of weeks. Dahlias grow very quickly once they get going and can easily break off right at the base in wind or rain if they are not securely staked.

deadheading

If you don’t pick every dahlia flower for the house, they will need regular deadheading, which will promote flowering. To deadhead, follow the flower stem down and cut above the first pair of leaves you meet.

propagating

Dahlias are easily propagated from basal cuttings. In the spring, once the tuber has started sprouting, select strong, healthy shoots about 7.5cm (3in) long. Remove them with a clean, sharp knife along with a small portion of the parent tuber.
 
Remove all but the top pair of leaves and pinch out the tip.

Prepare a 1 litre pot with a mix of compost and grit (3 parts compost to 1 part grit). Place each cutting at the edge of the pot, with the leaves just above the top of the compost and spaced so that they are not touching.
 
Water from above to settle the compost. Then place somewhere light, but out of direct sunlight in a warm spot or in a heated propagator. Label the pot.

In about 3-4 weeks the cuttings will have formed roots, carefully pot each cutting individually into a 7.5cm (3in) pot and grow on, planting out after the risk of frosts has passed.
 
With regular feeding and watering, the plants grown from cuttings will flower later the same summer and form tubers.

overwintering

There are two ways of overwintering dahlias. 

overwintering in the ground

In recent years, our winters in the south of England have been so mild that dahlias left in the ground, mulched deeply to protect them from the frost, have re-emerged fine, bulking up and flowering well before the other plants grown in pots. You could opt for this low-maintenance regime, but you risk losing your plants if we are hit by a hard winter.

If you go for this option, dahlias can be left in place and protected with a thick mulch on top over, which you can clear away once the worst of the frosts are over in the spring.

 

To do this, wait for the dahlias to get blackened by the first frosts of autumn, then cut them to within 10cm (4in) of the ground. Then put labels where the crown is showing – make sure each dahlia is labelled, as it’s so easy to forget which plant is where. Then add a mound (a whole bucket) of mulch over each one – if you bury them deep, it’s like giving them a duvet for the winter.

overwintering by lifting

The second way is to lift the dahlias out of the ground and store them undercover. This lifting method is advised if you’re growing dahlias in a mixed border, as dahlias left in mixed beds could become overshadowed by spring and summer growth.

To be sure of conserving your plants for next year, dig them up after the tops have been frosted in the autumn. Cut them down to 15cm (6in) before you do so. Knock off the surplus soil and, with a small piece of stick, scoop out the loose soil between the tubers – but leave enough to hold them in place.

 

Do not clean the tubers under a tap; to get water on a tuber at this time of year often spells disaster. Turn the tubers upside down in a crate and leave to dry for a couple of weeks. 

Then pack them away in shallow trays or in a storage box, surrounding the tubers with dry compost, vermiculite or dry sand, or alternatively wrap them in newspaper. This prevents the tubers drying out.

 

Store them in a cool, frost-free place – a cellar, attic or shed is perfect. Inspect tubers regularly during winter for rotting.

seasonal checklist

spring

summer

autumn

winter

pests, diseases & common issues

earwigs

Earwigs can be a problem with dahlias, eating the flowers and the leaves. The organic way of control is to position small pots filled with straw upside down and raised on canes dotted throughout your dahlias. The earwigs crawl into the straw in the heat of the day. At the end of the day you can release them somewhere else far from your dahlias. But don’t just think of them as pests, as they can be beneficial by consuming aphids.

slugs

Slugs also love dahlias, especially when they first shoot, so protect them from the word go. There are a host of options when it comes to protecting dahlias from slugs. Try harmless slug-repellents such as wool pellets, which form a natural barrier to slugs and snails, or copper bands, which slugs and snails hate.

why are my dahlias not blooming?

Underwatering your dahlias is the most common reason for failed blooms. Keep the soil moist and water generously, especially in a drought or if you’re growing them in pots. Make sure they are positioned in full sun, ideally in a sheltered place.

why are my dahlia tubers not sprouting?

A common mistake is to regularly water tubers you have just planted and too much water at this early stage can lead to rot. Water the compost once when you first plant the tuber, then wait until you spot the first sprouts before watering again.

why is my dahlia wilting?

Growing dahlias can be thirsty plants once they are in full growth. Make sure the soil around them is moist, which can mean watering every few days in a drought.

how to stop slugs from eating dahlias?

There are a host of options when it comes to protecting dahlias from slugs. Try harmless slug-repellents such as wool pellets, which form a natural and barrier to slugs and snails, or copper bands, which slugs and snails hate.

why are my dahlias so short?

Some varieties of dahlias are very compact, so check the information on the seed packet of research the variety you have to find out its final size. If the growth is stunted, it could be the conditions the dahlia is in – a cold snap or a late frost can impact growth. Make sure your dahlias are in a sunny spot.

frequently asked questions

how tall do dahlias grow?

There are compact varieties around 40cm (15in) tall, as well as varieties that reach over 1.5m (5ft) – as well as everything in between!

when do dahlias start to sprout?

You’ll see tubers planted in early spring start to sprout 2-3 weeks later.

are dahlias perennial?

Dahlias are tender perennials and the tubers can be killed by frost. See my advice for overwintering to ensure you have strong dahlia plants from the same tubers each year.

are dahlias edible?

If they are grown without chemicals, dahlia petals are edible. I love to sprinkle them over salads!

can dahlias self-seed?

Yes, they can but they won’t be the same as the parent plant. You can get some interesting offspring appearing.

are dahlias poisonous to pets?

Yes, unfortunately dahlias are toxic to cats and dogs.

are dahlias good for bees?

The single dahlias are a fantastic source of forage for bees and other pollinators, providing nectar well into late autumn. 

where do dahlias originate from?

Very little is known about the dahlia before the time of the Aztecs. It is believed that the Aztecs used parts of the dahlia for food and medicine. The mountain regions of Mexico and Guatemala are the birthplace of today's dahlias and they have continued to be grown there.

how to cut & arrange dahlias

I love how dahlias can look bold and beautiful in an arrangement – they look fantastic en masse with their striking shapes and colours, but they are equally good cut as individual stems each placed in a coloured glass bottle or small vase.

Get some inspiration for displaying your dahlias with our flower arranging videos:

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history of the dahliaunderstanding dahlia groupsplanting narcissi bulbs with dahlias

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When and how to plant dahlia tubers outdoors

If the rose is considered the "Queen" of flowers in many countries, then the dahlia is without a doubt their "King". Very few ornamental plants can boast such a wealth of shapes, sizes and colors!

In addition, the dahlia is very undemanding. Content with the most minimal care, he pleases the gardener with his bright, lush flowering from early July until late autumn.

About the history of the appearance of the dahlia, how to care for it, how to dig it up and store it in the winter, we have already told in our article: "How to grow dahlias".

In this article we will tell you when and how to plant dahlias in spring. In addition, we will tell you the best varieties of the numerous species of this regal flower.

COMMON TYPES OF DAHALHINS FOR THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL REGIONS

The timing of planting and preparation of dahlia tubers depend on their type. Most often, Russian gardeners choose the following:

Large-flowered. In height they grow up to 80 cm, and the diameter of the flowers of the newest varieties can reach 30 cm!

Decorative . These are large bushes up to 1 m high with numerous flowers up to 25 cm in diameter. This species is distinguished by the richest palette of colors and variety of forms.

Cactus . The tallest bushes - can grow up to 1.5 m. Flowers with a diameter of up to 20 cm are distinguished by the most bizarre shapes and unusual colors.

Pompoms . Plant height - 80 - 90 cm, diameter of flowers - up to 15 cm. Flowers of bright, saturated colors look like mesh balls. They look very beautiful and last a long time in a vase after cutting.

Semi-cactus . Tall, sprawling bushes (up to 1.2 m) are covered with holly, bright flowers, up to 18 cm in diameter and a variety of one-, two- and three-color colors.

Miniature . The most elegant dahlias, up to 40 cm high, are literally strewn with large flowers, up to 15 cm in diameter. They bloom earlier than others and do not crumble during the first winter frosts.

WHEN TO PLANT DAHALAHS

Planting time for dahlias depends on the region where you live. The main condition is that the earth should warm up well, because the plant is a tuberous plant.

In the Middle lane, North-West region, dahlias are planted in the third decade of May. If the spring turned out to be early and warm, then it can be a week earlier. However, when return frosts appear, a flower bed with dahlias should be covered with a non-woven covering material.

If you come to the dacha only on weekends, then it is better to move the planting date to June 25-27. After May 25, spring frosts usually stop.

In the Urals and Siberia, the spring is later and more humid. Therefore, dahlias are planted there in late June - early July. And it’s better to first germinate them in a pot, and plant the seedlings in a permanent place after July 10.

In the southern regions of the country, dahlias are usually planted in April, as the land there quickly dries up and loses moisture. Therefore, it is impossible to be late with the deadlines.

All varieties of dahlias that tolerate cold climates will grow well in the south. This is a versatile and very unpretentious flower.

HOW TO PLANT DAHALHINS FOR EARLY FLOWERING

If you bought tubers in March-April, you can germinate them in advance and get early lush blooms. To do this, fill some container (box or basin) with a moist substrate, consisting of purchased soil for flower seedlings, sand and sawdust in equal amounts.

Make drainage holes in the container to drain excess water and build some kind of drip tray.

Wet the substrate well and place the dahlia tubers in it, sprinkling them with a 10 cm layer of soil. Place the container in a warm place and cover with a transparent film on top.

Very soon the plants will grow. After the first shoots appear, move the box to the window. Water your plants regularly. At the end of May, transplant them into a flower bed.

This planting of germinated dahlias will ensure that they bloom 2 to 3 weeks earlier.

PREPARATION OF DAHALH TUBES FOR SPRING PLANTING

All gardeners know how to plant dahlias, but not everyone correctly understands how to prepare them for this operation.

Before planting, we recommend treating even healthy tubers in three different solutions, dipping them there sequentially and holding for 30 minutes.

First, treat the dahlias with a pink solution of potassium permanganate, then with Fitosporin M, and finally, dip them into the Zircon solution.

The first two preparations will disinfect the tubers from any bacteria and pathogens of fungal diseases. The third - will accelerate the process of germination of sprouts on the tuber.

Then place the tubers on a dry, clean cloth or paper and let dry. After that, you can start landing.

HOW TO PLANT DAHALAHS CORRECTLY

Dahlias like quiet, sunny places with light shade during the midday hours, well protected from wind and drafts. But if the plants are exposed to the sun less than 6 hours a day, then they may not form buds.

Dahlias prefer loose, fertile soils with a neutral reaction. It is better to choose “native” soil from the planting pits and fill them with a soil mixture composed of a fertile layer, compost, sand and leafy soil.

Add phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, wood ash (1 bucket for 4 plants) and a glass of dolomite flour (in acidic soils) to each hole.

Dig planting holes with a depth equal to the diameter of the bulb plus 10 cm. Of these, 5 cm is a drainage layer of coarse sand or perlite, which is laid on the bottom of the hole.

Distances between plants depend on the species and variety. Low-growing dahlias are planted at a distance of 40 cm from each other, tall ones - 70 cm.

Mulch the flower bed well with sawdust or freshly cut grass. The mulch will retain moisture in the soil and discourage weed growth.

For more information on how to care for dahlias, when and how to dig them up and store them, see our aforementioned article "How to Grow Dahlias".

THE BEST DAHELHIN VARIETIES FROM OUR COLLECTION

Now that we have told you in detail when and how to plant dahlias, it remains to choose the most beautiful types and varieties. We can help you with this.

We offer you the best and most popular varieties of dahlias from our collection.

LARGEFLOWERS:

Latest innovations: Avignon, Sir Alf Ramsey, Arthur Humbley, Almond Joy, Big Brother.

Our collection: Vancouver, Flood Light, Sensation by Otto, Fleur, Spartacus.

DECORATIVE: Passionate, Mero Constellation, Gypsy Girl, Tartan, Cream Peach.

POMPON: Sunny boy, Lipoma.

CACTUS: Freequolet, Aloha, Silent Folly.

SEMI-CACTUS: Firebird, Favorite, Kennemer.

MINIATURE: Salvador, Pablo, Riviera.

You can buy all these dahlias from us right now. We have no doubt that they will bring you many pleasant moments and decorate your garden in an unusual way!

Growing dahlias from tubers is a fairly simple and affordable process for every grower, so even beginners do not have to worry, as can be seen in the video below. It provides simple and understandable information for everyone, so that anyone can please themselves and loved ones with beautiful lush flowers in the middle and end of summer, when other plants can no longer boast of such violent and abundant flowering.

Spring has come, we are increasingly thinking about what to plant in the flower beds. Many have already taken dahlias out of the cellars and placed them for germination. We talked in detail about how to do this in one of the articles and we hope that you have no problems. Planting dahlias with tubers in the spring is also not particularly difficult.

A little about dahlias

Did you know that the dahlia came to Europe as an edible, not an ornamental plant? Only now the capricious Europeans did not appreciate its taste, but they quite liked the flowers, they began to grow them in front gardens. Then breeders took up the dahlia. As a result, we have more than 15,000 varieties, the number of which is increasing every year.

The root system of a dahlia is root cones or root tubers, which are a thickened modified root, not a stem like a tuber. A flower and not a flower at all, but a complex inflorescence - a basket consisting of many marginal reed flowers and internal tubular ones. The trunk of a dahlia is hollow, but very strong. With the current varietal diversity, the growth of this flower can vary from 20 to 150 cm and more, and the diameter of the inflorescence - from 3 to 25 cm.

Dahlias are flowers with an annual cycle of development and a pronounced dormant period. Starting from spring, they grow, bloom, after the first frosts, their vegetative mass dies off, and the tubers go to rest. A few months later, they wake up after winter, in the spring the root neck releases the first shoots and everything starts all over again. It should be noted that dahlias are very thermophilic and do not winter on the street.

Preparing dahlias for planting

In one of the previous articles on our site, we described in detail the germination of dahlias in the spring, but let's repeat the main stages of this process.

We get root tubers from storage

We will assume that our tubers were stored correctly, and wintering was successful. The timing of when to get dahlias from storage in the spring is different for each region. This should be done about 2-3 weeks before landing in the ground. Usually for central Russia this is mid-April. If you plan to propagate flowers from cuttings, do so at least a month in advance. It is impossible to get the tubers out of the basement in the spring and immediately bring them into a warm room, due to a sharp temperature drop, you can simply lose the plant.

Attention! First, put the boxes in a cool dressing room, carefully cover them with cellophane to retain moisture and leave for 2-3 days.

Only then can dahlias be brought home.

Preparation and disinfection before sprouting

Any preparation of dahlias for planting begins with the disinfection of tubers. If after digging you have not washed them from the soil, it's time to do it in the spring. Carefully inspect the washed tubers for possible rotting, mold and infections. Remove all affected parts with a sharp sterile knife and soak the tubers in a pre-prepared slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes. Then sprinkle all sections with crushed activated charcoal and leave for a day to dry.

Germination of dahlias

Germination of dahlia tubers in spring can take place in any loose substrate:

Sprinkle some damp substrate on the bottom of the boxes and carefully place the tuber nests on top. Most importantly, the root neck should be directed upwards, it is on it that the growth buds are located. Lightly sprinkle the tubers with soil and place in a bright place with a temperature of about 20 degrees. When the first shoots appear, lower the temperature to 15-16 degrees.

Important! Dahlias should not be cramped in sprouting containers.

If you have few nodules, you can germinate them in pots without deepening the root collar.

Tuber division

It is not necessary to divide dahlia tubers every spring. But if you neglect this procedure for 3-4 years and plant only large overgrown nests in the ground, the flowers will gradually degenerate. The absence of spring division of dahlias is fraught not only with the fact that you miss a rotten tuber, which, after planting, will provoke decay of the entire root system, but also with the appearance of small few flowers.

When the first sprouts appeared or just the growth buds swelled well, it was time to divide the tubers. This must be done on time, not allowing the shoots to become large - so there is a danger that during the division we will simply break them off, because in the spring, at the initial stages of growth, they are very fragile.

We invite you to watch a video in which an experienced gardener talks about the division of dahlia tubers:

After you have divided the tubers and dried the sections, return them to the sprouting boxes.

Cuttings of dahlias

Dahlias are planted in spring not only with tubers. This plant is easy to propagate from cuttings. When the young shoots reach a height of 6-10 cm, they are carefully broken out with a “heel” or cut out with a sharp sterile knife with a piece of the root neck and planted in separate pots or peat tablets.

Attention! Cutting dahlias in the spring allows you to grow many plants at once from one nest, which is especially important if the flowers are grown for cutting.

This is how the rejuvenation of planting material takes place.

Care of dahlias during germination

In the spring, during germination, do not get carried away with watering - the tubers have a sufficient supply of moisture and nutrients for the first time. Here it is better to dry the soil a little than to over-moisten it. It is better to carefully spray the seedlings with a spray bottle.

After you have divided the dahlia tubers, you will have to make sure that there are not too many shoots on each division. It's not a pity, leave 2-3 of the strongest, and break out the rest.

Warning! If you leave a lot of shoots in the spring, the plant will be weak, and the flowers will be small and few, and you will not get good tubers by winter.

Planting dahlias outdoors

We have shown how to prepare dahlias for planting. Believe me, this is not a difficult matter, you just need to get used to it a little and find a suitable place for germination, because if there are a lot of tubers, then they need a lot of space, and even well-lit. Now it's the turn to describe how to plant dahlias in the spring.

Planting Site Selection

Dahlias need plenty of sun, shelter from high winds, and loose, moderately fertile soil. These flowers are surprisingly unpretentious to the soil, you can not plant dahlias only in a wetland - there their tubers will simply rot.

Preparing the planting site

The best way to prepare the site for planting flowers in the fall is by digging the bed with a shovel bayonet. Although dahlias can be grown in any soil, it is better not to create extreme conditions. Add lime or dolomite flour to too acidic soil, and acid (moor) peat to alkaline soil. If your soil is poor, add mature compost or well-rotted humus.

In spring, the soil is dug up again.

Planting dahlias in the ground

The time when to plant dahlias in the spring in the open ground is different in each region. It must be remembered that these flowers are very thermophilic and even a short-term decrease in temperature will cause their death.

In the spring we plant dahlias in the flowerbeds, not only when the threat of return frosts has passed, but also when the earth warms up well. The hole needs to be dug approximately on the bayonet of a shovel, add a matchbox of superphosphate, mix well with the soil. If the soil is poor in nutrients, we additionally add well-rotted humus or a complete complex fertilizer, for example, amophoska. In excessively dense soil, add peat or sand.

In dense soils, we will arrange drainage - we will put a shovel of fine gravel or brick chips on the bottom of the planting hole.

Attention! If your soil is light and loose in itself, do not do additional drainage, otherwise the dahlias will have to be watered every day!

Place the tubers in the planting hole, cover with soil so that the root collar is about 2-3 centimeters deep.

Tip! There is such a rule: the hole should be three times larger than the tuber nest, and add about 7 cm more to its depth to add humus and deepen the root collar.

Be sure to support tall varieties in the spring before planting, you risk damaging the tubers if you do this later. After the plant is planted, water it generously.

Planting dahlias in containers

Planting low-growing varieties of dahlias in containers is now very popular. City residents who grow flowers on balconies and loggias can also grow them. It is important to remember one thing - flower pots are only suitable for dahlias grown from seeds. In the spring, a stalk of a low-growing variety can also be planted in a pot, but its volume should not be less than 5 liters.

Dahlia tubers are planted either in large ceramic flowerpots or in containers with a volume of at least 15 liters, but this is a minimum, and for the smallest flowers with a small tuber! Usually containers for planting dahlias have a volume of 30-40 liters. Otherwise, the plant will suffer from a lack of soil throughout the season and will give a weak nodule, which will most likely die in winter.

Important! Container dahlias require increased watering, mandatory holes in the bottom of the pot and a good layer of drainage so that water does not stagnate at the tubers and cause the death of the flower.

Care after planting

The first time after planting, dahlias need intensive watering and protection from the bright sun. You can just cover the plants with newspapers for the first 2-3 days. These flowers do not like loosening, since we do not know where the growth of new tubers will be directed and risk damaging them.

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