I have been successfully growing dahlias for many years. They require fertile, well-drained, slightly moist soils and a sunny position.
My dahlias have been growing in the same place for several seasons, so when I plant the rhizomes at the beginning of May, I sprinkle them with some fresh soil. I make holes in the loosened ground. At the bottom of each, I throw a small handful of Polifoski. I cover the fertilizer with soil from molehills mixed with river gravel and peat substrate. Only on such a prepared rebate I plant dahlia carps.
Young dahlia shoots appear after 2-3 weeks and are sensitive to frost. So you have to watch the weather and, if necessary, protect the plants.When the stems grow to about 10 cm, I usually leave 3-4 and break the rest off. Thanks to this, I have sumptuous flowers later. The overgrown plants, about half a meter high, are fragile. I stake them to protect them from being broken by the wind. I do it carefully so as not to damage the roots.
During the season, I fertilize dahlias with diluted slurry from nettles or cowberry. I break out the blown flowers on a regular basis. When the first frosts blanch the leaves, I cut the stems to 10 cm, dig up the tubers, dry them (not in the sun) and transfer them to the cellar at 4-10 ° C. In winter, I do a review every now and then to remove the rotten rhizomes.
Józef Bieszczad
