The blooming time of dahlias is from summer to autumn. The plant does not need much – except for a good place that should be protected from the wind, sunny and free of waterlogging. The flowers can be planted from early November when no more frost is expected. If you have found the perfect place, dig a hole of about 10 centimetres and place the dahlia bulb in the hole.
Dahlias do not need a lot of watering. However, regularly cut off faded dahlia blossoms with their complete stem at the next branch fork. This way, the plant can always build new blossoms.
In autumn, before the first frosts are expected, cut the dahlia bushes back to 10 to 15 centimetres above the ground. Afterwards, dig out what is left and and let it dry. Once this is done, store the bulb in a cool and dark room. If you have to store several dahlias, you should store them side by side and not one above the other.
The following year, the dahlia bulbs can be replanted into the garden as described above. You also can plant dahlias in a flower pot. The pot should not be too small. Make sure that the dahlia bulbs are not soaked or over-watered. You can prevent this by building drainage at the bottom of the pot. The drainage layer should be 3-4 centimetres high and can be built by using pebble stones.
Image: © ottochka – Fotolia
