Dahlia tips for the flowers
DahliasDahlias are a popular flower, not least in the garden, but also as a cut flower in late summer and autumn.
Dahlias – queen of late summer
Dahlias, with their colorful charm, are an absolutely fantastic flower. It blooms in July and August, and looks incredibly good in a late summer bouquet.
Dahlias are a popular flower, not least in the garden, but also as a cut flower in late summer and autumn.
Dahlias, one of our most popular cut flowers
How to care for your dahlias
1. Clean the stem of leaves so they don't get into the water. When the leaves are in the water, bacteria are formed which accelerate the decomposition process.
2. Give the stem a new cut before placing it in water, so that the flower has the best possible conditions for taking up water.
3. A trick you can use is to leave the stalks in almost boiling water for an hour first. This is said to extend the dahlia's shelf life.
4. Then put them in cold water with added flower food. And you can change the water every day to be able to enjoy the dahlias for as long as possible.
How to care for potted dahlias?
1. Use a plastic bucket or pot with a hole in the bottom, preferably 20 litres.
2. Fill the pot with potting soil and place the tuber 10 cm below the soil. March–April is a good time to bring the tubers to life.
3. Put the dahlia in a bright and cool place.
4. Water sparingly until green shoots start to grow out of the soil. When the dahlia begins to grow, it is important to water regularly. It does not like to dry out. There is also a greater risk of powdery mildew attack if potted plants have dried out repeatedly.
Dahlias in a bouquet
Dahlias are a very popular cut flower. It fits perfectly on its own, perhaps in a beautiful bouquet with mixed varieties or the same variety.
It is of course also suitable as an element in a late summer bouquet with other flowers.
It is easy to succeed with dahlias in flower decorations, and you can mix different varieties very well. Let yourself be inspired by the colors and wonderful shapes of dahlias.
In this bouquet we have mixed dark pink dahlias and santini with apricot colored roses and yarrow. And of course the greens of the season.
Dahlias in small vases
Decorate for a summer party with dahlias. Find small vases and place them on the table, each with a dahlia in it. Create a colorful table decoration with dahlias in a variety of colors and shapes, or choose a color that fits the theme of the party. It is sure to impress your guests.
About 30 different species of dahlias
Dahlias can look very different, and there are approximately 30 different species and also many varieties within these species. They grow in tropical areas of America, and above all in Mexico, where the Indians originally used the tubers in their diet.
The georgine (dahlia) got its name from the Swedish naturalist and doctor Anders Dahl, who was a contemporary of Carl von Linné.
A variety of colors and shapes
Dahlias can vary greatly in appearance, the flower comes in almost every imaginable color and shape. There is everything from small, so-called topmix dahlias that are only a few centimeters large, to decorative dahlias that are almost as big as plates.
The shape varies greatly, cactus dahlias have, as the name suggests, spiky flowers, pompom and ball dahlias have spherical flowers, and then we have water lily dahlias and peony dahlias, which also got their names for a clear reason.
Dahlias are sensitive to cold
As dahlias originate from a warm climate, they are naturally sensitive to cold. So it takes some effort to grow dahlias. The first thing you need to think about is buying completely fresh tubers that have not shriveled on a shelf for too long. Buy the tubers as soon as they are available. Check if they have "eyes", which later turn into shots.
When you get them home, it may still be a little too early to plant them. Then you can store them dry and cool, but not locked in, until the time is right.
You can plant dahlias directly in the growing area as soon as the night frost has passed, but it can also be a good idea to pre-cultivate them indoors for a couple of weeks. Then they will bloom earlier and longer.
Apply additional fertilizer
Dahlias require a lot of sun and heat, so it is important to choose the right growing place. They also want well-fertilized and vigorous soil that is well-drained. You should also add extra fertilizer during the growing season. Dahlias are planted shallow, so they may also need extra support when they get big, so they don't topple over.
In autumn, dahlias are also extra sensitive to the first night frost, so keep a close eye on the temperature. They can continue to bloom peacefully for a while longer if you only protect them from the first frosts with some form of covering.
When the frost sets in seriously and the flowers turn brown and ugly, it is high time to pick up the tubers. Pick them up carefully, they are delicate, leave some soil around the tubers and cut off the brown leaves and stems.
Store cool and dark
Put them on a tendon g of peat litter and cover with more peat. Keep them cool, dark and dry until it's time to plant them again. If you have planted dahlias in pots, you can of course bring the whole pot inside and let it dry over the winter.
Today there are also seeds you can sow. If you pre-cultivate these, they will produce early, long summer dahlias that are great in pots and pots. These dahlias also eventually develop tubers, which you can pick up and plant out next season.
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