La dalia, especially its red variety, is one of the most attractive and appreciated plants in gardens during the summer season. Its chromatic intensity and the beauty of its flowers make it an undisputed star of flowerbeds, terraces, and balconies. If you're looking for a species that provides color, joy and sophistication to your outdoor space, the red dahlia is the perfect choice to surprise and captivate all your visitors.
In this article you will discover All the keys to growing and caring for red dahlias in summer, from its characteristics and varieties to techniques for ensuring spectacular flowering, as well as step-by-step instructions for maintaining, propagating, and preserving bulbs. If you want to enjoy a healthy plant with vibrant flowers all season long, read on and become a true expert in caring for this floral gem.
Characteristics of the red dahlia
La dalia (Dahlia spp.) is a plant tuberous and perennial Native to Mexico and Central America, its popularity is due both to its spectacular floral display and its ease of cultivation and adaptation to different environments.
- Botanical family: It belongs to the Asteraceae, sharing family with sunflowers and daisies.
- Level: can vary from 30 cm in dwarf varieties up to meter or more in giant specimens, although most red garden dahlias usually grow between 30 and 70 cm.
- Flowering: produces composite flowers, which can be single, double, or semi-double, with a huge variety of shapes and sizes. The flowers can reach from a few to over 20 cm in diameter.
- Color: Although there are dahlias in shades of pink, yellow, white or purple, the red dahlia It is especially striking and valued in ornamental gardening.
- Sheets: green, opposite or whorled, simple or compound, with serrated edges depending on the variety.
- Fruit: indehiscent, oblanceolate, with a single seed per fruit.
In addition, it is considered the national flower of Mexico and the result of centuries of selection has given rise to hundreds of cultivars that vary in shape, size and color of the flower head.
Main varieties and types of dahlias
One of the great advantages of the dahlia is its enormous diversity of floral formsThis allows you to choose from a variety of decorative styles, from compact spherical flowers to elegant cactus shapes. Some of the most representative varieties are:
- Upright cactus dahlia: double flowers with erect petals, ideal for a voluminous effect.
- Curved cactus dahlia: double flowers with petals curled towards the center, with a wilder appearance.
- Decorative dahlia: Double flowers with concentrically arranged petals, very symmetrical and perfect for bouquets.
- Pompom Dahlia: spherical flowers, with very rolled petals, small and very long-lasting.
- Dahlia peony: large double flowers with curly and irregular petals, partially revealing the center.
- Dwarf dahlia: low height, especially for flowerpots or borders.
How do you plant a red dahlia?
Success in growing red dahlia starts from a proper planting of the bulb or tuberThe essential steps to ensure a successful start are:
- Planting time: Ideally, tubers should be planted in autumn in mild climates, or in spring if there's a risk of late frost. This way, when long days arrive, the plant will be ready to flower in summer.
- Substrate preparation: choose a floor rich in organic matter, aerated and well-drainedIf you plant in the ground, incorporate compost or well-aged manure. In pots, use a substrate specifically for flowering plants.
- Depth and orientation: Dig a hole about 15 cm deep and place the tuber with the "eyes" (buds) facing up. Cover lightly with loose soil.
- Initial irrigation: Water lightly after planting and avoid overwatering to prevent tuber rot. Until sprouting, keep the substrate only slightly moist.
If you plant in pots, make sure they have drainage holes and don't leave standing water in the saucer.
Ideal location and exposure
The red dahlia needs plenty of light to develop:
- Full sun: It is ideal to place it in an area exposed to direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours dailyThis promotes intense flowering and more vibrant colors.
- Wind protection: Although it is hardy, tall, large-flowered varieties can be affected by strong winds. In these cases, place tutors to prevent the stems from bending or breaking.
- Semi-shade: If the sun is very intense or the weather is extremely hot, you can place the plant in a slightly shaded area during the central hours of the day to prevent burning.
Watering the red dahlia in summer
During the summer, the red dahlia requires a more intensive irrigation regime to compensate for evaporation and active growth.
- Frequency: Water three to four times a week on warmer days. In temperate climates, two or three times may be sufficient.
- Method: apply water directly to the soil, avoiding wetting leaves and flowers to prevent fungi and diseases.
- Optimal moment: water preferably early in the morning or at dusk to prevent water from evaporating quickly and reduce the risk of sunburn on wet leaves.
- Ponding: Never leave the substrate excessively moist. Waterlogging can cause the tuber to rot and weaken the plant.
In pots, watering should be more frequent as the soil dries out more quickly. Be sure to empty the saucers after watering to avoid excess moisture.
Substrate and fertilization
The red dahlia develops its maximum splendor when it has a soil rich, fertile and well-drainedWhat does this mean in practice?
- Preparation: before planting, soak the substrate and stir it to keep it loose and oxygenated. Add organic fertilizer, worm castings, or mature compost.
- Sewer system: If the soil is clayey or compact, add perlite, gravel or coarse sand to facilitate water drainage.
- Subscriber: During the growing and flowering season, apply a universal fertilizer for flower plants or liquid organic fertilizers such as guano every 15-20 days. This extra nutrient promotes vigorous stems and large flowers.
Fertilization and care during flowering
The key to success in summer is to provide the extra energy that the dahlia requires for a abundant and prolonged floweringSome essential tips:
- Regular subscriber: Maintain nutrient intake throughout the flowering phase. If you use a liquid fertilizer, follow the recommended dosages.
- Removal of withered flowers (deadheading): Remove any flowers that are drying by cutting above a healthy leaf. This stimulates the appearance of new buds and prolongs flowering.
- Pinching and depimplementation: If you want larger flowers, remove some secondary buds so the energy can be concentrated on the main ones. To get more stems and flowers, cut the apical growth early in the season to encourage the development of lateral shoots.
- Tutoring: In tall varieties with heavy flowers, use stakes to prevent the plant from bending or breaking under the weight.
Optimal climate and temperature for the red dahlia
The red dahlia is resistant to contrasting temperatures, although it prefers temperate climates.
- Ideal temperatures: across 18 ° C and 28 ° C, although it can withstand heat peaks if it has enough water.
- Cold resistance: It can tolerate light frosts down to -3°C, but severe frosts and excessive rainfall during the winter can damage the tubers. In regions with cold winters, it is advisable to store the bulbs in a dry place after flowering.
- Adaptation: In climates with very hot summers, dahlias may slow down their flowering, resuming flowering more vigorously when temperatures drop slightly.
Pests and diseases: how to prevent and treat them
The red dahlia is generally fairly resistant to pests and diseases, although it is important to monitor it to avoid problems.
- Snails and slugs: They can attack tender shoots, especially after rain or in humid environments. Protect the base of the plant using ash, crushed eggshells, or natural snail-repellent solutions.
- Fungal diseases: Excess moisture encourages the growth of fungus on leaves and stems. Keep the plant ventilated, water without wetting the foliage, and remove damaged leaves.
- Aphids or mites: In specific cases, they may appear. Eliminate them with natural insecticides or potassium soap if you detect colonies.
In general, a good hygiene and careful irrigation prevent most problems.
Pruning and seasonal maintenance
While traditional pruning is not essential for the red dahlia, there are recommended maintenance tasks to ensure a more compact and healthy plant:
- Removing dried flowers and leaves: Regularly cut off wilted parts to prevent plant exhaustion and disease.
- Formation pruning: In summer, you can perform a light green pruning (removing up to 25-50% of the aerial mass if the plant overgrows) so that the dahlia grows with better structure and reaches autumn stronger.
- Pinching of apical shoots: Carrying it out in the early stages of growth favors the appearance of lateral stems and greater branching.
Preserving dahlia bulbs for the following season
If you want to enjoy your dahlias year after year, it is essential preserve your bulbs properly at the end of flowering:
- Digging up the bulbs: When the leaves have completely withered (usually in autumn), carefully dig up the tubers so as not to damage them.
- Cleaning: Remove any remaining soil and trim any dry stems, leaving only 2-3 cm of stem.
- Drying: Leave the bulbs in a ventilated, dark place away from moisture until they are completely dry.
- Storage: Store the tubers in a box with dry sand or wood chips, in a cool, dry, frost-free area. Don't water them until you replant them.
Multiplication and reproduction of dahlias
The red dahlia can easily multiplied by seeds or by division of tubers, the latter being the most common option in home gardening.
- Division of tubers: Using a clean, sharp knife, separate the tuber sections, ensuring each section has a bud (eye). Plant each section in spring using the method described above.
- By seeds: Collect seeds from dried flowers at the end of summer. Sow them in seedbeds with light substrate and transplant the seedlings when they are of a suitable size.
Remember that dahlias propagated by seed may vary in color and shape from the parent plant.
Flowering and duration of dahlias
The red dahlia offers one of the longest blooms of the summer, if minimal care is taken:
- Flowering: It begins 8 to 10 weeks after planting the tuber and can last from late spring until well into autumn, depending on the climate.
- Duration of cut flowers: Fresh cut flowers last about 4 to 7 days in water. To prolong their freshness, cut the flowers first thing in the morning and place them in warm water.
- Prolong flowering: Remove wilted flowers and maintain proper watering and fertilization to ensure the plant continues to produce new buds.
Extra tips for a spectacular red dahlia
- Avoid planting tubers too early in cold soils, as they prefer temperate temperatures to sprout.
- Add a layer of mulch around the base to maintain moisture and control weeds.
- Place tutors from the beginning if the variety is tall or if your area is windy.
- Grow dahlias in alternate locations of the garden each year to prevent pathogen buildup in the soil.
- In rainy or very humid climates, protect the tubers by removing them in the fall and storing them dry.
Meaning and curiosities of the red dahlia
Few flowers have the symbolic value and history of the red dahliaIt is the national flower of Mexico and was once used by the Aztecs to decorate festivals and rituals. In the language of flowers, the red dahlia symbolizes passion, strength and elegance, being highly appreciated in both floral arrangements and gifts.
Today, there are associations and days dedicated to this flower in different countries, and its presence continues to grow in gardens around the world thanks to its ornamental value and easy adaptation.
The red dahlia is a true spectacle in any green space, and by following these recommendations, any gardener can achieve a vibrant, healthy, and colorful garden all summer long and beyond. Whether you have a single plant or want to create a themed area, the red dahlia is the perfect ally for bringing life, energy, and beauty to your surroundings.
