Planting Dahlia Tubers
Edith Iwan, President New Mexico Dahlia Society
Where: Give them plenty of sunshine. They need at least 6 hours and prefer more. They need good, garden soil that drains well and does not puddle water for hours after rain. Many people use raised gardens.
When: Albuquerque and surrounding areas have many microclimates. Some areas are warm enough to plant at the end of April, others plan in May, and those in the mountains wait until June. The soil needs to be warm enough to allow growth, about 60 degrees F. Have your soil wet but not saturated.
How: Plant large plants with large flowers 2-3 feet apart and small flowered dahlias 1-2 feet apart. Dig a hole 4-5” deep, drive a support stake in the hole and place the tuber eye near the stake so it faces upward. Cover the soil with 2” of soil. When you have some, growth, fill in the rest of the hole with the left-over soil. Keep the soil on the dry side until you have good leaf grow.
Check out the American Dahlia Society website for care of dahlias such as tying, stopping. disbranching, and fertilizing. They also have information on watering, disease, pests and disbudding. If you are interested in showing your dahlias, they offer helpful tips. You dahlias are welcome at the NM Sate Fair and the NM Dahlia Society local show – all in September.
Photo Credits:
Images 1&2 by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
image 3 Edith Iwan