And what better way to embellish your home garden than with one of the most beautiful and diverse flowers - Dahlia brings along a sense of endless floral summer with its blooms. With blooms that range from small lily-like flowers to large ones that require staking, Dahlia can fill up your garden in the most captivating way.

Originating from Mexico and Central America, these perennials belong to the Asteraceae family. Dahlias have been cultivated since the Aztec civilization, and used for both ornamental and medicinal purposes. Today, they are cherished worldwide for their vibrant blooms that can range from delicate pastels to bold, striking hues.

These are just a few of the reasons that we have curated this large collection of Dahlia Flower Bulbs for you. Let’s look at this quick guide to grow these Dahlia Flower Bulbs at home.

When to Plant Dahlia Bulbs:

Dahlia bulbs can be planted in the spring or in summer after there are no chances of cold soil. The ideal planting time is when the soil temperature is consistently around 15°C (60°F). In most regions in India, this means planting from April to August. Planting at the right time ensures that the bulbs are established well before the soil temperature starts to fall again.

Planting Dahlia Bulbs:

In Ground:

1. Prepare the Soil: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Amend the soil with homemade compost or well-rotted manure to enrich it before planting the bulbs. You can also use some organic vermicompost to feed the soil.
2. Planting depth: Dig a hole about 6-8 inches deep and place the bulb horizontally with the eye (a small growth point) facing up.
3. Covering the Bulbs: Cover the bulb with 2-3 inches of soil initially. As the plant grows, fill in the hole gradually.

In Pots:

1. Choose the Right Pot: Select a pot that is at least 15-18 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep for single tubers. Ensure it has good drainage.
2. Potting Mix: Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix, incorporating compost for added nutrients.
3. Planting: Plant the tuber 4-6 inches deep in the potting mix, with the eye facing up. Cover with 2-3 inches of soil initially and add more as the plant grows.

Spacing Requirements:

Dahlias need adequate space to grow and thrive. Space large varieties 18-24 inches apart and smaller varieties 12-15 inches apart. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation, reducing the risk of disease and promoting healthy growth.

Soil:

Dahlias prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Amend heavy clay soils with sand or perlite to improve drainage. Incorporate organic matter like compost to enrich the soil and provide essential nutrients. The ideal soil for better Dahlia blooms will contain higher concentrations of potassium and phosphorus and lower concentrations of nitrogen.

Sunlight:

Dahlias thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Choose a sunny spot in your garden or balcony to ensure your dahlias get the light they need for better growth and bigger blooms.

Watering:

Water dahlia bulbs thoroughly and consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause tubers to rot while underwatering can lead to stunted growth. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cool. Keep checking the soil with your hands to get a better sense of soil moisture.

Feeding:

Feed your dahlias with an all-natural fertiliser like compost tea, fish emulsion, or a balanced organic fertiliser. Apply fertiliser every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to promote healthy growth and bigger blooms.

Staking:

For large varieties of dahlias, staking is essential to support their tall stems and heavy blooms. Insert a sturdy stake into the ground near the bulbs at planting time. As the plant grows, tie the stem to the stake with soft garden twine or ties, ensuring it remains upright.

Pruning:

Pruning helps dahlia plants focus their energy on producing larger, healthier blooms. Remove any dead or damaged foliage regularly. Pinch out the centre shoot when the plant reaches about 12 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.

Harvesting as Cut Flowers:

Dahlias make excellent cut flowers, adding beauty and colour indoors in vases. Harvest dahlia flowers early in the morning when the blooms are fully open. Use sharp scissors or pruners to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Usually, dahlias last up to 3 days as cut flowers. Here’s a trick to prolong the vase life of Dahlias as cut flowers. Place the cut flowers in a bucket of slightly lukewarm water immediately to increase their vase life by 2-3 days.

Keep this guide handy to grow your own Dahlia bulbs at home and share your pictures with us on Instagram. We would love to feature you. Happy gardening!