Beginner’s Guide to Growing Dahlias

When you are growing Dahlias for the first time, it is always a good idea to have the right information right off the bat. This Beginner’s Guide to Growing Dahlias will give you the basics you need to know to grow some of the most incredible flowers in the garden.

Beginner’s Guide to Growing Dahlias: Choosing your growing method.

Dahlias can be grown from seeds, tubers, clumps or bulbs, and cuttings. With so many options, it can be overwhelming. Here is a quick rundown of each.

Dahlia Seeds

Dahlia seeds are easy to plant but take longer than starting from a mature tuber. They also will give you unknown genetics and colors of your blooms. Most dahlia growers want to know what their blooms will look like. For those who love a mystery — give these a try!

Dahlia Tubers

Dahlia tubers are just like the tubers of potatoes in that you can plant them in the ground, and they will sprout above the ground. These are a fun and easy way to plant dahlias. Many serious growers grow from tubers because it provides the maximum chance of growing LOTS of dahlias since each tuber can become a plant.

Dahlia Clumps or Bulbs

This is our preferred way to sell dahlias because it gives our novice growers the best chance at being successful at growing dahlias. With several tubers attached to a neck, you are more likely to have one that will send energy to the neck, have it sprout, and grow your dahlia. Since dahlias bulbs or clumps have more plant matter attached, they are less likely to rot than a single tuber.

Dahlia Cuttings

Dahlia cuttings are cuttings of the sprouted portion of a tuber. This is an excellent way to get a genetic replica of your desired plant.

When you purchase dahlias from us, you get a clump that contains both tubers and a neck. If a tuber becomes detached, just plant it!

Beginner’s Guide to Growing Dahlias: Where to Plant your Dahlias.

Dahlias are versatile because you can plant them in pots or directly in the ground. In Zones 9 and 10, you do not have to dig them up in the wintertime. Rather, you can let them overwinter in the ground and watch them regrow the following spring. If you live in a particularly wet area of Zone 9 or 10, you may want to dig them up so they do not rot. It is not typically an issue in dry areas of Zones 9 and 10. Here in San Diego, we do not dig our dahlias up unless we want to split them and share them with friends. We prefer planting our dahlias in pots to move them into view on our patio during the peak blooming period, but we also have a patch in the ground. You can choose depending on your needs.

Beginner’s Guide to Growing Dahlias: What kind of soil do Dahlias need?

In this Beginner’s Guide to Growing Dahlias, I do not want to overcomplicate soil for dahlias. The most important information is that you have well-draining soil since dahlias tubers can easily rot if they are left moist for too long. If you are planting in a pot, a good potting mix with Perlite for drainage and aeration should work fine. If you are planting in the ground, amend with compost to make sure your soil has good drainage.

The Key to Maximum Blooms: Pinching your Dahlias.

If you want maximum flowers on your dahlias, you must train your plants to be bushy and send out lots of flower shoots. How do you do that? Pinching your plants will encourage bushier growth and more flower buds. You can pinch your dahlia plants when you see three leaves on the main stem. We like to pinch our dahlias when they are young and tender because we can do it with our fingers quickly, and the plant does not waste any energy growing plant matter you intend to remove.

During your first year growing Dahlias, the most important things that you should not forget are:

• Dahlias need full sun – 6 or more hours of sunlight
• In extreme heat, use shade cloth
• Pinch plants to make for more blooms
• Stake plants; blooms will get very heavy and snap plants
• A light organic fertilizer during the season will help your plant grow more blooms and foliage
• Sluggo Plus is a must to protect from snails and slugs

Dahlias, in general, are relatively easy plants to grow. Remember these key tips, and you will have so many blooms to enjoy in the garden!