 DAHLIA |
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Quick Guide: summer/autumn, half-hardy,
sun/semi-shade, height: 45cm/18in, width: 45-60cm/18-24in
Long-lasting and excellent for cutting, dahlias are among
the most popular summer flowers. The types grown from tubers
are called border dahlias, which are divided into groups,
namely: Single-flowered; Anemone-flowered; Collerctte (with
a collar of smaller florets); Peony-flowered; Decorative (large
ray florets, reminiscent of chrysanthemums); Ball; Pompon;
Cactus and Semi-cactus (pointed petals). Decorative, Ball
and Cactus dahlias arc further subdivided by size. The colour
range is wide, excluding blue, but all shades have a characteristic
clarity and brightness. Dahlias are in glorious bloom from
high summer until the first frosts. The minimum height is
given above - some varieties reach 1.5m/,5ft.
GROWING Dahlias are best grown in a special bed on
welldrained soil previously enriched with well-rotted organic
matter. Just before planting, rake in bonemeal at 100g/m'-
(4oz/ sq.yd). Place a stake in each planting hole to support
the stem to within 30cm/12in of its ultimate height. Plant
unsprouted tubers in spring, 12.5cm/5in deep. Plant sprouted
tubers in late spring or wait until summer in cold wet seasons.
As the plants grow, tie the stems loosely to the stakes. For
additional growing advice, see nest entry.
When dahlias are grown for exhibition purposes, a process
of disbudding is carried out to produce fewer, larger flowers.
This is not necessary in normal circumstances, but it is advisable
to pinch out the leading shoots once, a month after planting.
Lift and store the tubers annually. Raise them carefully,
using a spade, a week after frost has turned the leaves black.
Drain off water from the stems. Store healthy tubers only.
Place them in boxes, just covered with peat, in a frostproof
place. Inspect from time to time to make sure none is affected
by mould.
PROPAGATION Set overwintered tubers in boxes of peat
and sand in spring, with the crowns visible. Keep moist and
frostfree. When the 'eyes' begin to swell, cut the tubers
into pieces, each with an eve,' and pot up or plant 10cm/4in
deep in a cold frame. Plant out when danger of frost is passed.
VARIETIES Single: `Sion', bronze; Anemone: `Lucy',
purple, yellow centre; Collerette: 'Can-Can', pink, yellow
inner ring; Decorative: `Little Tiger', red and cream, dwarf;
Ball: `Gloire de Lvon', white; Pompon: `Nero', maroon; Cactus:
`Bach', yellow.
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Aphids, caterpillars, earwigs; grey
mould, petal blight
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