Staking Dahlias
Bright, beautiful, and colorful dahlias are starting to bloom here at my farm.
Dahlias begin to flower with great profusion just as many summer plants pass their prime, and they last right up until the first frost. My dahlia garden is tucked behind my vegetable greenhouse in an area exposed to full sun and protected from strong winds; however, as they grow it's important to provide tall, hollow, dahlia stems with good support to prevent them from flopping. My crew stakes each plant every year using wood and jute twine.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- Well-maintained plants will never disappoint -here is one of the first dahlias to bloom this season. Dahlias grow more blooms when they get at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
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- Dahlias are named after 18th-century Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. He actually categorized dahlias as a vegetable because of their edible tubers. The tubers are said to taste like a mix between potatoes and radishes.
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- Dahlia plant leaves grow segments that are ovate to oblong to lanceolate in shape. The leaf margins may be lobed or dentate. Leaves may be green, reddish-purple, or purple-black depending on the variety.
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- Most of these dahlia plants are about waist high already – some even taller. It’s important to make sure they are properly supported as they grow, especially those that produce larger, heavier blooms.
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- Pete starts by making the stake holes along the outside of the bed.
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- Then he pounds in strong stakes about a foot deep to anchor the outer edge. The twine here is used to ensure the stakes are straight.
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- Pete does this around the entire perimeter to support any stems on the outer edge.
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- Here, one can see how tall some of the flowers have grown.
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- Next, Pete stretches the twine from one end to the other…
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- … tying it securely to the wooden uprights. Jute twine is available in different thicknesses and its tensile strength can reach about 140-pounds, but because it is a natural material, it can degrade over time. Pulling the twine tightly will help it keep its form through the season.
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- Fernando works from the inside of the bed, making holes and securing stakes.
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- He stakes the larger plants individually, and the smaller ones in groups, supporting them on all four sides.
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- Here is one section staked nicely. As plants grow, twine will be added to support more stems.
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- Pete and Fernando also make sure the aisles are clear, so it’s easy to access and cut flowers during the season.
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- Dahlias are classified according to flower shape and petal arrangement. This is a single dahlia with just one row of petals surrounding the center disc.
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- They range from a charming single, daisy-like flower to the popular double varieties which can be two-inch-pompons to 12-inch dinner plate size. They are divided into 10 groups: single, anemone, collarette, waterlily, decorative, fall, pompon, cactus, semi-cactus, and miscellaneous.
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- This cactus variety is called ‘Park Princess’ with tightly rolled rich, vibrant pink petals. It is a prolific re-bloomer and an excellent cut flower.
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- Currently, there are more than 40 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. A member of the Asteraceae family of dicotyledonous plants, some of its relatives include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia.
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- The majority of dahlia species do not produce scented flowers or cultivars, but they are brightly colored to attract pollinating insects.
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- The genus Dahlia is native to the high plains of Mexico. Some species can be found in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador & Costa Rica as well as parts of South America where it was introduced.
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- This area was once used for growing grapes. Now, it’s proven excellent for growing dahlias. I am looking forward to seeing more and more of the gorgeous blooms in the weeks ahead.
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