Learning how to fertilize dahlias is easy and can be broken down into three easy steps. They include knowing what the best fertilizer is, when to fertilize, and how to fertilize dahlias correctly. You don’t have to be overwhelmed with information on fertilizing these flowers because, in general, they are easy to grow anyway.
However, like all plants, knowing the fertilizer needs and practices of dahlias is crucial to their growth and survival. You may also consider growing or starting them in the greenhouse to maintain their ideal growing conditions. This way, you don’t have to worry about fluctuations in weather and temperatures that can affect your growth rate and health.
How to properly fertilize dahlias
Most of the time, the most important factor to remember when fertilizing dahlias is the soil itself. It’s also worth noting that the plants don’t require fertilizer when you’ve just started them because they don’t yet have feeding roots to use the fertilizer. And if you’re just establishing dahlias, either outdoors or in the greenhouse, moist soil and mulch are sufficient, and you don’t need to add water, as overwatering can cause rot.
Know the best fertilizer
According to the American Dahlia Society, the best way to determine the appropriate fertilizer for your dahlias is by checking your soil. This is perhaps one of the reasons why growing in a greenhouse puts you at an advantage, as it can modify the environment of the dahlias. After checking the pH and composition of the soil, you can decide which fertilizer to use.
Dahlias can use high-nitrogen fertilizers throughout the season, but remember to minimize nitrogen at the end of the season. Nitrogen will encourage the growth of large shrubs and flowers, but you need to control its quantity as too much can lead to poor growth and poor quality tubers. Instead, potassium is more vital in helping to create vigorous dahlias while developing their roots faster.
SpainState University also recommends 5 pounds of a 0-20-20 fertilizer per 100 square feet for dahlias. You need to emphasize tracking nitrogen and focus on potassium and phosphorus. If you are new to planting, you will find formulas where the first number is less than the previous one.
When to fertilize
The University of Vermont Extension mentioned adding manure or compost to the soil before planting. Then you can add a quarter pound of a balanced fertilizer for every 10 square feet after a month. The reason you will benefit from fertilizing your dahlias 30 days after planting is that it encourages the tubers to produce shoots and stems.
You can also fertilize after the plants sprout, then every four weeks from mid-summer to early fall. In this way, dahlias can improve their root system and have enough energy to enhance flower production. Dahlias feed a lot, and following these programs should give them their requirements to grow well.
How to fertilize
First, you want to know how much fertilizer to give your dahlias. Fertilizers often show the recommended amounts per square foot, so check first to avoid over or under feeding. But generally, you can have a half cup of fertilizer around your plants to create a 2-foot ring that will work in the soil.
This is best when you are just starting out and then water it to help with absorption and also to avoid burning the roots. While dahlias do eat a lot, it can be confusing as some gardeners swear they don’t even need fertilizing. Therefore, checking your soil beforehand should give you the gist of your plant’s feeding needs.
Another tip you’ve probably read for fertilizing dahlias is to treat it similar to a tomato plant. This means that the dahlias will do well with an all-purpose fertilizer when you plant them and then switch to a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer once a month when they begin to bloom. If this is the practice you chose, remember to stop fertilizing in early September if you want to use tubers later.
Also, you can promote better aerial growth if you fertilize with a high-phosphorous food in early summer every three weeks. You can then stop feeding when the dahlias die in late summer, as the plants will soon go into dormancy in winter. You want to prevent dahlias from producing foliage late in the season so that they have enough nutrition in their tubers.
Conclution
You can ensure that flowering plants like dahlias grow and bloom healthily regardless of their location by using a greenhouse. However, an important part of its success depends on you, including knowing how to fertilize dahlias correctly. Start by identifying the best fertilizer, when is the right time to fertilize, and how to fertilize your dahlias.
One gardener might say that dahlias feed a lot, while another might swear that they require little maintenance when it comes to feeding. With the many tips for fertilizing dahlias from various gardeners, the concepts can be contradicted. To avoid being overwhelmed, remember that your soil is the first factor to consider and that until no feeder roots have developed, fertilization is of no use.
Therefore, check the quality of your soil to adjust the feed accordingly. You can also treat dahlias in the same way that you will fertilize tomato plants and start from there.
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