How to Grow Dahlias and Dahlia Plant Care

If you have ever been to a state fair, you have probably seen a pavilion filled with exotic and amazing dahlia flower blossoms. These hugely varietal flowers are a collector’s dream, with little starburst blooming dahlia flowers plant to plate-sized flowers in every hue imaginable. Dahlias are relatively sturdy dahlia plants if grown in the right lighting, heat, and soil. Care of dahlia flowers may vary depending upon your zone and location, but here are a few dahlia growing tips to help you get maximum blooms and healthy, bushy plants. 

Dahlia plants are classified according to flower shape and petal arrangement. The dahlia plants are borne from tubers, which require well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Dahlia plant care starts at installation with the cultivation of the soil and healthy tubers. Learning how to grow a dahlia plant will likely lead to a hobby, as the spectacular blooming flowers are quite addictive and the presence of one or two will lead to plenty more in subsequent seasons. 
Select healthy tubers of a dahlia variety that does well in your zone. The outside of the tuber of dahlia should be firm with no mold or rotten spots. Prepare the garden bed for These plants prefer well-drained, acidic loam but will grow relatively well in any soil as long as it isn’t soggy. 
Dig down 8 to 12 inches about 20.5 to 30.5 cm and add compost to increase the porosity and nutrient density since dahlias are big feeders. A good dahlia growing tip is to take this time to incorporate 2 pounds per 100 square feet about 1 kg. per 9.5 sq m  of a 5-10-15 fertilizer. 
Small plants can be spaced 12 inches about 30.5 cm  apart, but the big dahlias need to be planted 3 feet about 1 m apart to accommodate the large bushes. Lay the tuber sprout-side up 3 inches about 7.5 cm deep in a trench and cover it over with the prepared soil.

Dahlia plants need to be kept weed-free. Use organic mulch around the plants to prevent weeds and conserve moisture. 
Pinch back the terminal buds when the plant is 15 inches about 38 cm tall to enforce good branching and structure and increase budding. 
Provide plenty of water to your dahlia plants. Water plants deeply once or twice per week. Big dahlia plants need a support structure to keep the heavy blooms from bending to the ground. 
Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer or twice during the growing season use ½ cup about 120 mL  5-10-10 scattered around the root zone of the plants. 
Good dahlia plant care also includes pest management. 

Dahlia plants are hardy to zone 8 and will survive if cut back and mulched heavily. Pull dahlia away from the mulch in spring to allow new shoots to come up. In cooler zones, the Dahlia tubers need to be stored indoors until spring. 
Dig at least a foot about 30.5 cm away from the plant and lift the tuberous clump. Brush off excess dirt and lay them in a dry, but shady, location for a few days. Remove the remainder of the dirt and check the Dahlia tubers for damage or disease. 
Pack healthy dahlia tubers upside down in a basket nestled in damp peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite. Check dahlia tubers every month, and if they begin to shrivel, mist them with water. You can also dust the Dahlia tubers with antifungal powder before storing them. In the spring, replant the Dahlia tubers and follow the above program for good care of dahlia flowers.