Dahlia

They do well in any good garden soil and need plenty of sunshine. The tubers can be planted directly into the garden as soon as it is warm, in Holland usually by mid April. Or start them early indoors in sand or peat for transplanting into the garden after danger of frost has past.

Heavy soils are best lightened up with sand and organic material. Plant the tubers firmly with the neck just 5cm below the surface. Tall growing varieties usually need staking which are best placed at planting time to avoid damaging the roots later. Water well in dry periods. Once flowering starts, feed occasionally with a balanced fertilizer. Lower growing varieties can also be grown in pots, with one tuber filling a 25-30cm pot.

Cutting off flowers as soon as they fade will result in more blooms in the weeks to come. In fact, the more flowers you cut the better the plants grow and bloom. Removal of the smaller side buds below the primary flower will yield even larger blooms.

In areas with mild winters, tubers may survive in the ground for several years. In cold regions, lift tubers as soon as the foliage is killed by frost. Store tubers in dry sand, peat, or newspaper and keep them in a cool, dry, frost-free place over winter.