Growing Dahlias     

This page will give you a guideline to get off to a good start with your dahlia cuttings. If you have any questions throughout the growing season please email me at the email address from which I send your shipping verification email. I don't have a lot of free time during the growing season but I will gladly answer your questions as time allows.

Unpacking Your Order     

	Depending on the variety, and time of year the cutting was taken, you will receive dahlia plants that have been rooted in either a sterile, peat-lite, soiless mix; or in a sterile, oasis-foam, root cube. Treat both types of plants the same when you plant them.
	Dahlia cuttings are small when planted and will require care the first few weeks to protect them from weather and pests. It's hard to believe that this tiny plant will grow to become a 4 to 5 foot plant in just a few months! (Camano Pet shown in photo)

The First Few Weeks     

You should plant your dahlias outside only when the danger of frost has passed for your locality. It is better to wait to plant for a few weeks rather than take a chance on having your plants freeze. Plant dahlias in a location that receives several hours of sun each day. If you have hot summers you should plant in partial shade - ideally an area that receives some shade from the hot afternoon sun.
Dahlias will grow in almost any soil type but will excel in fertile soil with good drainage. Adding compost or many of the commercially available soil amendments will improve both clay or sandy soils. Also, in most cases, a pre-plant fertilizer formulated for bulbs is beneficial - follow the directions that are given on the label. I use a 6-26-26 formulation for pre-planting. In general, any soil or location that will grow a vegetable garden will grow good dahlias. Remember the old farmer's adage that holds true for all plants: "If you put a 50-cent plant in a five dollar hole you will end up with a five dollar plant. But, if you put a five dollar plant in a 50-cent hole, you will end up with a 50-cent plant." A little work and planning before planting your dahlias will pay off in the long run.

Plant the cuttings as deep (or slightly deeper) as the top of the root cube. Water your dahlia plants well after planting and watch them carefully during the first few weeks of growth to make sure they do not completely dry out - the soil should be moist but not saturated with water. It will take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on soil temperature, for the new plant to send out roots and become "established" in your garden. If snails/slugs are a problem in your area, immediately, after planting, apply a snail bait (follow label directions! - keep from children and pets!) or use an organic snail control method, such as a copper collar, to protect your small plants from snails/slugs. Also, until your plants are established, it might be necessary to shade your newly planted dahlias from the afternoon sun - especially if it is 80 degrees or hotter during the afternoon. Your plants were rooted in a greenhouse under 30 percent shade and need to be gradually exposed to full sunlight. A lawn chair makes a good temporary source of shade and can be placed over the plants on hot afternoons for the first few weeks of their growth.