Dahlia cultivation tips and precautions

Dahlia has become a popular flower for its bright colors, long flowering period and reputation as the "flower of a thousand faces", symbolizing good luck. In order to better care for dahlias, let’s learn the cultivation techniques and precautions of dahlias below.

1. Watering

Spring and autumn are the peak growth periods for dahlias, and they only need to be watered every 3-4 days. The temperature is high in summer and water evaporates quickly, so you need to water the plant once in the morning and once in the evening to keep the soil moist. Dahlias enter a dormant period in winter. Watering them every 10-15 days and keeping the soil in the pot dry will help the plants survive the winter safely.

2. Fertilization

During the growing season (spring and autumn), apply thin organic fertilizer once every 20 days, and add a small amount of urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to promote lush stems and leaves and upright plants. After the flower buds appear, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote larger flowers and brighter colors. Stop fertilizing during the high temperatures in summer, and resume normal fertilization frequency when the weather turns cooler in autumn.

3. Lighting

Dahlias like light and need to be placed in a sunny place on a daily basis, receiving at least 6 hours of light a day to ensure that the plants grow healthily and the flowers are bright. Avoid direct sunlight in the summer. Provide appropriate shade or move to a semi-shaded place to prevent leaf burns.

4. Soil

Dahlias grow best in slightly acidic sandy loam that is rich in humus and well-drained. You can mix 5 parts of garden soil, 2 parts of humus soil, 2 parts of sand and 1 part of base fertilizer to ensure that the soil is loose and breathable.

5. Change pots regularly

The potting soil needs to be replaced every 1-2 years to prevent the soil from becoming compacted and sticky, which will cause waterlogging and rot in the roots and affect plant growth. You can loosen the soil appropriately on a daily basis to keep the soil breathable.

The above is an introduction to the cultivation methods of dahlias. During the cultivation process, everyone must pay attention to the fact that dahlias are neither drought-resistant nor water-resistant. Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry and water thoroughly when watering." Avoid long-term excessive moisture or waterlogging in the soil to prevent root damage. The optimal growth temperature is 20-25℃. When the temperature is high in summer, it is necessary to move the plants to a cool and ventilated place in time, and spray water to reduce temperature and increase humidity to help the plants survive the summer safely.