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On the first weekend in May our local farmers market had stands filled with blooming container dahlias. Many were doubles with closed centers, and one had a red and white cactus form plant. Container-size dahlias are short, have a long blooming period and grow well on terraces, balconies, or in the front of the garden. See a nice example here. An ADS article on growing container dahlias is available below. The techniques, including the removal of spent blooms, are typical of those for other outdoor plants. If you dig the clump out after a frost, they will overwinter like the taller cousins.
Current weather forecasts illustrate the variability of Spring weather conditions across the country. Here in Northern Virginia, we can start planting without much risk of frost. Even if Jack Frost makes one last appearance, new shoots will sprout from the tuber. If you have rooted cuttings, let them grow indoors for a few more weeks. Here are some considerations for success with cuttings.
Many instructions recommend planting the tuber four to six inches deep with fertilizer under the tuber. That will make the shoot struggle to break ground, particularly if there is a lot of clay. A better approach is to lay the tuber flat with the base of the shoot two to three inches below the surface. If the tuber has leaves, don’t bury them. Leave a saucer shape around the plant and fill it in as the plant grows. Dahlias are surface feeders, and their roots will grow an inch or two below ground level. Sprinkle the fertilizer around the plants, but not against them. Fertilizer spread under the tuber may do damage to the tuber which will feed the plants before the roots develop. Check out this video for excellent information.
Make sure you put a stake in at planting time, so you won’t impale the tuber later in the season. If you care about plant names attach a tag to the stake and make a chart in case the tag is lost.
My uncle John just dug a hole, put the tuber in the ground, and waited for beautiful blooms. There are many ways to grow dahlias.
Good growing,
Harry Rissetto
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