GOLDEN RULE DAHLIA FARM 
34 
CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
Dahlia Plants 
M ANY visitors to our farm ask, “What is a dahlia plant?” A dahlia plant is a green 
growing plant about 3 to 8 inches tall with well established roots such that if set 
out in your garden as you would a tomato plant for instance, it will grow, develop 
into a good bush, bloom well and produce a clump of good roots for the following 
season’s planting. 
These plants are produced by placing strong dahlia roots on the greenhouse bench 
about March 1st to 15th in a suitable growing medium, and, when sprouts have grown 
to a proper stage, separating them from the roots by cutting or breaking them off 
so as to include the “heel” of the sprout. This insures a normal root growth. 
Dahlia plants are becoming more popular each season; not only because they afford 
a more economical method of purchasing medium to high priced novelties, but also 
because when properly cared for and grown in well nourished soil they are just as 
vigorous or more so than roots and produce just as good or better flowers. 
In a normal season and in good soil plants will make a perfectly satisfactory clump 
of roots. This season at our farm, owing to June and July drought, the root crop 
from plants was greater than from roots. This was an exception to the rule, for in 
general the root crop from plants is not as great as from roots and there is more 
variation in the root crop from season to season. 
The dahlia plants offered by Golden Rule Farm are the same as used annually 
by us to the extent of about fifty per cent or more of our total plantings. The root 
system is developed to a degree such that in an early drought as in 1930 and 1933, 
the tops may be even burnt off by the heat and yet later the plant will sprout from 
the root and produce satisfactorily. 
When received the plants should either be promptly set out or placed in pots 
or boxes of good dirt, watered and allowed to start growth before setting. Straighten 
roots when setting. If plant is tall or with yellowing foliage top it severely. It has 
roots which will bring its growth along satisfactorily. 
W E ARE CONVINCED that the three most important rules for successfully 
growing dahlias in a normal soil are: (1) Have the soil well drained. (2) 
Do not over-fertilize. The use of nitrates or of too much manure from barnyard 
or hencoop may give good results one season and result the following season in 
stunts and loss of roots. The people who not only grow good flowers from Dahlia 
Roots, but also keep them over winter are those who fertilize moderately. A 
soil too rich also seems to favor the growth of insect pests. (3) Supply humus 
yearly to your soil. Rye sowed after dahlias are dug and plowed under while 
still tender is a good source of humus. Any other decayed vegetable matter will 
also serve the purpose. 
Planting 
Best Planting Time for Dahlias in Ohio May 1st to June 15th 
A MEDIUM to smallish root makes the best clump. Cut away the tail half of a very 
large root before planting. Plant the root horizontally when the ground is dry 
enough, not less than three and one-half feet apart, four inches deep in heavy soil and 
five to six inches in light soil. A stake should be driven in before planting. Cover the 
roots, firming well. The plant should appear within a month, if not, investigate and if 
blind (no sprout) notify the one from whom you purchased the root. Cultivate early 
and often until the plants show buds, then start fertilizing and disbudding. Much harm 
is sometimes done by cultivating deeply after plants start blooming. The fibrous root 
system comes close to the surface of the ground and deep cultivation cuts these roots, 
thus weakening the growth of the plant. After blooming starts, cultivation should not 
much more than scratch the surface. 
Water only when urgently needed and then soak to a good depth. In case of 
drought after August 1st mulch with straw, peat moss, or other litter between plants 
to conserve soil moisture. In a clay soil use winter’s coal ashes and mix well before 
planting. 
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