Flowers blossom best when grown from seeds
drainage, plant a little shallower. Deep planting is done mainly to prevent them falling over at flowering stage – there’s quite a lot of weight in those tall stems and leaves. A heavy hand with nitrogen results in great foliage but not-so-great flowers, so don’t overdo it. Spud recommends adding compost to the soil 2-3 months before planting. Fertilisers should be applied as a side-dressing on the soil surface rather than under the corms.
In northern areas where the soil has warmed up, plant dahlia tubers in late September – wait until October in colder places. Grow in full sun in well-drained friable soil. Dig in some balanced slow-release fertiliser and compost in the planting. Dahlias hate wet feet. Plant on a raised mound if there is any danger of waterlogging. This column is adapted from the weekly e-zine, get growing, from New Zealand Gardener magazine. For gardening advice delivered to your inbox every Friday, sign up for Get Growing at: getgrowing.co.nz
transplanted seedlings. Shallow bowl-shaped pieces are laid underneath drifts of bulbs so that
I don’t lose any when it’s time to dig them up. The slippery back steps have a layer of chicken wire stapled to them so my gumboots can grip the surface. Little baskets of chicken wire disguised with sphagnum moss hold orchids and bromeliads in place on fences and tree trunks. It’s such a useful and versatile material.