Golden Rule Dahlia Farm, Lebanon, Ohio 
CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
Dahlia Plants 
A DAH LI A plant is a green growing plant about 5 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 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 and, 
if nourished properly, good clumps. 
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. Sraighten 
roots when setting. If plant is tall or with yellowing foliage top it severely. It has 
roots which will bring its growth along satisfactorily. 
Planting Roots or Tubers 
Best Planting Time for Dahlias in Ohio, May 1st to June 15 th 
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. Small flowered varieties may be planted 
one to two feet apart. 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. 
Disbudding 
V ERY few varieties have natural stems long enough for cut flowers. If you want 
plenty of fine cut flowers for the market, home or exhibition, disbudding is 
important. Start from the top and work down, don’t start disbudding at the base 
of the plant. When in July or August the plants first show flower buds at the top, 
select a vigorous bud which you wish to bloom, then take off the side buds and shoots 
on the first two or three joints down from the selected bud. Before this bud will 
have developed into a flower, other branches will have grown up from beneath, and 
will be ready to disbud. Continue to disbud faithfully and it will repay you with more 
