Growing Dahlias
Episode: #2 17/03/07
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Dahlias have to be one of the most spectacular of all summer flowering plants, and you might expect that something as beautiful as Dahlias would be incredibly delicate, but in fact they are very tough plants and Phil tells us why.
All the beauty begins, with these rather grotesque looking tubers, although unsightly they are built for survival. Just one of these is all you need to get started. You plant them in spring, and then during the growing season, each one can produce 10 or more new tubers that you can lift, divide, and turn into new plants.
Growing Dahlias is simple as long as there is plenty of sunshine and a well-drained soil. They like to be fed, but do not over do it, just a little blood and bone for growth and potash for the blooms, and always maintain a good layer of mulch too, to hold the moisture in the soil.
Once dahlias get going, they are quite tall and fleshy so it is essential to support them with a stake. You want to make sure there is still good air circulation around the leaves, so just tie them loosely so they can still move about in the breeze.
Phil has been given a few tricks that were passed on to him by some exhibition growers. When the buds and shoots start growing at the sides, just try removing some of them by pinching them out. What that does is concentrate the growth energy into the main central bud, and that makes the flower bigger and the stems longer and stronger.
Something else they do, whenever the weather gets hot, or rainy, up go the umbrellas, which are tied to the stakes. It may seem extreme, but it stops the flowers from fading in the sun and getting soggy in the wet, and that way, the blooms are perfect on the day of the show.
Growing Dahlias can be incredibly rewarding and you only need a little space to have a go. If you are in Brisbane and you would like to learn more then head on down to the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens on the 18th of March 2007. The Queensland Dahlia Society will have a massive display of blooms on show, with plants for sale, and plenty of down-to-earth growing advice from gardeners in the know.
Looking for more great gardening ideas? Well you will find them in the March edition of the Garden Guru Newspaper, You will read about the best autumn flowering plants for Queensland, discover some spectacular succulents for our climate, and enjoy a visit to one of Queensland’s most outstanding private gardens, so make sure you grab your copy from your local garden centre.
Yates Sulphate of Potash
Blood and Bone
For further information about the products used visit www.yates.com.au
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Dahlias have to be one of the most spectacular of all summer flowering plants, and you might expect that something as beautiful as Dahlias would be incredibly delicate, but in fact they are very tough plants and Phil tells us why.
All the beauty begins, with these rather grotesque looking tubers, although unsightly they are built for survival. Just one of these is all you need to get started. You plant them in spring, and then during the growing season, each one can produce 10 or more new tubers that you can lift, divide, and turn into new plants.
Growing Dahlias is simple as long as there is plenty of sunshine and a well-drained soil. They like to be fed, but do not over do it, just a little blood and bone for growth and potash for the blooms, and always maintain a good layer of mulch too, to hold the moisture in the soil.
Once dahlias get going, they are quite tall and fleshy so it is essential to support them with a stake. You want to make sure there is still good air circulation around the leaves, so just tie them loosely so they can still move about in the breeze.
Phil has been given a few tricks that were passed on to him by some exhibition growers. When the buds and shoots start growing at the sides, just try removing some of them by pinching them out. What that does is concentrate the growth energy into the main central bud, and that makes the flower bigger and the stems longer and stronger.
Something else they do, whenever the weather gets hot, or rainy, up go the umbrellas, which are tied to the stakes. It may seem extreme, but it stops the flowers from fading in the sun and getting soggy in the wet, and that way, the blooms are perfect on the day of the show.
Growing Dahlias can be incredibly rewarding and you only need a little space to have a go. If you are in Brisbane and you would like to learn more then head on down to the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens on the 18th of March 2007. The Queensland Dahlia Society will have a massive display of blooms on show, with plants for sale, and plenty of down-to-earth growing advice from gardeners in the know.
Looking for more great gardening ideas? Well you will find them in the March edition of the Garden Guru Newspaper, You will read about the best autumn flowering plants for Queensland, discover some spectacular succulents for our climate, and enjoy a visit to one of Queensland’s most outstanding private gardens, so make sure you grab your copy from your local garden centre.
Yates Sulphate of Potash
- Rich source of potassium for encouraging flowering and fruiting in all plants, as well as promoting disease resistance.
- Completely soluble.
- Safest and most concentrated forms of potassium.
- Ideal for mixing with blood and bone for an organically based complete fertiliser.
Blood and Bone
- An organic fertiliser suitable for all gardens including Australian natives.
- Provides nitrogen for healthy leaf growth and phosphorus for strong root development.
- Organic nutrients are released slowly to the plant, which improves soil structure, promotes beneficial soil micro-organisms and encourages earthworms.
For further information about the products used visit www.yates.com.au
AS SEEN ON 
