If you can grow tomatoes, you can grow dahlias. – Betsy Szymczak
The above quote is from our guest speaker, Betsy Szymczak, who is not only passionate about growing dahlias, but also passionate about educating and encouraging other gardeners to grow these magnificent flowers. Growing dahlias seems a bit tricky for most of us: planting at the correct time, patiently waiting for the blooms, digging up the tubers in the fall, and carefully storing them for the winter. It takes a little work, but by the end of the evening, Betsy made everything sound easy and very much worth the effort.
Thank you once again to our wonderful hosts who set a beautiful table and supplied us with tasty treats. This social hour lets us reconnect with old friends and introduce ourselves to new members before our program begins.
Betsy began her talk with a bit of history and description of dahlias. The dahlia is native to Mexico and is Mexico’s national flower. Although dahlias are not native to our area, they do attract pollinators and that is one reason there may be so many varieties of dahlias. The basic dahlia has eight petals, with either an open center or a closed center. Between humans hybridizing and bees pollinating, there are now about 55,000 varieties of dahlias. One of the many striking characteristics of dahlias, of course, is the vibrant color of each variety. Comparing the colors to the Pantone Color of the year, Betsy showed us pictures of dahlias in Living Coral, Illuminating Yellow, Vivid Magenta, Peach Fuzz, Mocha Mousse and Cloud Dancer (white!).
Most gardeners know that dahlias grow from tubers which store their food and energy. The tuber should have three parts (the tuber, the neck and the crown) in order to grow. Dahlia tubers should not be planted in the ground until the ground reaches 60 degrees. The soil should be well-drained, in an open sunny location (six hours of sun, afternoon shade), and slightly acidic. Plant the tuber 4-6” deep with eyes up. Cover with soil and do not water directly after planting. Wait until after the sprouts have appeared. After the dahlias are established, water with a soaker hose two to three times a week. You will be rewarded well into October for all of your careful tending with magnificent dahlia blooms to use for arrangements or just to enjoy in your garden. About two weeks after a killing frost, the plants will turn brown. Tubers dug too early are still “green” and will not store. Wash dirt from the roots, and allow to air dry 24 hours. Mark your tubers with their name and color and store in plastic or cardboard boxes and vermiculite. Store in a cool dry area (40-50 degrees) until spring.
Betsy left us information for web resources, how and where to purchase dahlia tubers, and contact information for dahlia societies. If you become a real dahlia connoisseur, there is also this website: www.dahliaaddict.com. Good luck and happy gardening!
NEW TO OUR MONTHLY PROGRAMS:
There are two new additions to the DGC monthly program meetings:
— A seed sharing program. Bring seeds to exchange with other members each month
–Donations to the food banks of Marblehead and Swampscott
Driftwood Garden Club 