Dahlia Seeds - Grow Guide
We are excited to share a piece of our farm with you via our ‘Farm Gate’ Dahlia seed collection. This is a brief guide to show you how to grow this beautiful flower from seed to oh! so beautiful bloom.
Dahlias are heat loving plants and resent the frost, so its really important not to direct seed or plant out your dahlias until the risk of frost is past. If like me you are an eager beaver however, you can get started earlier than that, it does mean you need to start these babes inside or a greenhouse.
For the eager beaver method, count back 6 weeks from you last expected frost date and start the seeds indoors then. For us in the Southern Tablelands, last frost is generally early to mid October. Local gardening forums or the BOM website can help you with a guide for your local area.
Sowing instructions:
Sow: Spring - Summer. Direct (after frost) or in trays preferably ones that come with a lid.
Plant: 30cm apart for cut flowers. 60cm to enjoy in your garden
Height: 1m
Water: Moderate
Supports: Corral for cut flowers, stake if planting individually within the garden
Bloom: 90 days
Use moist good quality potting mix in cell trays. Plant 1 plant per cell.
Sow seeds 0.5cm deep, lightly cover with seed raising mix or if you have it vermiculite.
Cover with a lid and bottom water if possible, alternatively very light overhead watering.
Keep moist but not wet, in a sunny position or under grow lights, perferably on a heat mat (18-20 degrees) orin a warm place
Once seedlings sprout, remove the cover. once 50% have germinated, move to a protected but sunny place. These bubs need natural light to thrive.
Plant out once the weather is warm enough and the seedlings have at least 3 sets of true leaves.
If growing for cut flowers, pinch the seedling once it reaches about 30cm by about a third to a half. This will encourage branching.
Water semi regularly, feed occasionally, Neutrog rooster booster is great!
These beauties will bloom until your first frost, you can then leave the tubers in the ground or lift them if you want to divide or if your ground freezes.
We hope you have a great growing seasion and you fall in love with Dahlias like we certainly have!
And please share your beautiful blooms with us via instagram @springpondsfarm. Happy blooming!
