SAUGERTIES ORGANIC GARDENS

Dahlias originate in Mexico. They don’t mind heat or humidity. They will grow and thrive until the frost which will kill the above ground growth. Your dahlia will grow 20” to 40” tall and with a little love and care, will provide you with a plethora of beautiful flowers. The following guidelines will assist you to achieve that objective.

OPTION #1

Leave your dahlia in the grow bag we provided. The grow bag is designed to provide a favorable environment for your dahlia to grow and thrive and provides more options for placement.

If you choose to leave in growbag:

• Choose a location that will provide sunshine for at least 6 hours a day.
• Place bag on soil, not blacktop or concrete.
• Severe weather can damage the plant. Try to pick a location with some protection from extreme storms.
• Support your plant with 3 or 4 30”< > stakes in a triangular or square pattern.
• Do not overwater or place in a container that would create a puddle at bottom of bag.
• We recommend an organic liquid fertilizer with aprox. 3-3-5 formula. 1 oz. diluted in 1 quart of water once a month is sufficient. Do not over fertilize.
• Cutting stems for bouquets and removing dying flowers will encourage more blooms.
• You may be able to extend the season by gently covering plant prior to a light to moderate frost.

When the plant has succumbed to frost, cut above ground growth and discard within a week or so.

Leave the tuber in bag and return to Saugerties Organic Gardens by November 15th to receive $ credit on next year’s dahlia choice.

If you wish to keep and store your own, see "Directions for Storing Dahlia Tuber" below.

OPTION #2

If you wish to replant the dahlia at your location:

• Follow pertinent instructions from option 1.
• Ideal soil would be a sandy loam with some compost added.
• Must have good drainage.
• Use of a fertilizer is optional. If you wish, use formula above.

When plant has succumb to frost, cut and discard dead growth. Within a week or so, carefully dig root system and place in grow bag, no soil needed. To receive credit for next years plant you must return to us by November 15th.

Directions for Storing Dahlia Tuber

Best to have two or three good dry days.

Cut all the above ground dead and discard.

Carefully dig tuber manually removing some soil.

Place on lawn and use a hose to clean as much soil as possible.

Leave on lawn, in shade, to dry one or two days.

Using a cloth bag or a cardboard box, encase tuber in peatmoss and store between 40 and 50 degrees.

If you have questions or if you wish directions for the following Spring, call Mark @ 845-399-5137