Planting anything for the first time can be daunting as a gardener, but with something as renowned for being delicate as a dahlia is then it’s even more nerve-wracking.
So when planting your Dahlias which way up do you plant them? Let’s have a look and find out.
Which Way Do You Plant Dahlia Bulbs?
This is the neck of the dahlia tuber and it is where the growth comes from. This is the part of the tuber that must be facing up as this is where the plant is going to grow from.
As long as this is facing up then your bulb is in the right position and will grow.
Starting Dahlia Tubers In A Propagator
This is a great way to start your tubers if you want to get them going really early and take multiple cuttings. With this method, you can get two or three cuttings off your tubers before the growing season is even in full swing.
You want to use a propagator with a lid and as deeper a tray as possible. Plant the dahlia tubers in multipurpose compost with the neck of the tuber well above the soil level.
This is important as having the neck above the soil makes it a lot easier to snip off new growth to use as a cutting.
The propagator lid just helps to keep the temperature of the soil and the air around the tuber higher and will help promote growth.
More on Dahlias
Dahlias are simply stunning summer flowers, the pop pop head produces amazing displays. The plant is a member of the Asteraceae family along with daisies, asters and marigolds.
Usually grown from a tuber but they can also be grown from seed. The tubers require special care over winter here in the UK and many growers end up with an almost fanatical devotion to their dahlias.
Despite being unable to survive winter outdoors in most of the UK, they thrive in our summer conditions. The moderate but wet climate we have is absolutely perfect for them.
Dahlias make the perfect container flower and are commonly grown this way. Growing them in containers also makes preserving the tuber over winter a lot easier.