Wednesday, Jun. 17, 2009
For a garden full of brilliant blooms try dahlias
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closeQ: Have you a suggestion for a relatively easy to grow, colorful bloom that will also serve well as a cut flower?
— “Bear” Bettner, San Luis Obispo
A: For “knock your socks off” garden gorgeousness, dahlias are hard to beat. Relatively easy to grow from seed, tubers or rooted cuttings, they provide a long season of blooms in wonderfully varied colors and forms. They bring beauty and drama to indoor arrangements.
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GOT A GARDENING QUESTION?
Contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners at 781-5939 on Monday and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m.; at 473-7190 in Arroyo Grande from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m.; and at 434-4105 on Wednesday in Templeton from 9 a. m. to noon.Visit the UCCE Master Gardeners Web site at groups.ucanr.org/slomg or e-mail mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu.
Dahlias are favorites of visitors to the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles. This year, fairgoers will have an unusually large number of these magnificent flowers to view.
Prize-winning dahlia growers Jill and Dr. Joe Sabol have donated three rooted cuttings of exotic dahlias to each member of the Master Gardener class of 2009, as well as support in raising them for exhibition.
That means that this year there will be about 80 more, undoubtedly spectacular, cut dahlias in competition. The judging and beginning exhibit will be on July 22 and will certainly be a real treat for visitors. All county residents are encouraged to participate in this and other events. Go to www.midstatefair.com for instructions.
There is still time this spring to start dahlias by tuber or rooted cuttings in your own garden, and while they may not be fair-worthy by July they will keep neighbors coveting your garden well into fall.
Plant cuttings or tubers in well prepared and amended soil and place a stake for support of the rapidly growing plant.
Tender new dahlia shoots must send out a secret message to snails, slugs and earwigs as they emerge, for they have been known to completely vanish overnight. Protect them against these slimy pests. As the plant begins to grow, pinch off the terminal bud to encourage lateral growth and more flowers. Water and feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer. As the season progresses your main enemies will be Diabrotica, or cucumber beetles, and, later, powdery mildew.
Contact your Master Gardeners for care information—and stay tuned for an article discussing end-of-season care.
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