DIVIDING CLUMPS 
Dahlia clumps can best be divided with the aid of 
double cutting pruning shears and a pruning knife. 
Broken necks and fibrous roots should first be removed. 
The eyes are on the crown and never on the root 
proper. Then proceed to divide with shears or knife. 
Care should be exercised to have a piece of crown with 
at least one eye connected with each one or two roots. 
Then all cut portions should be dipped in Dahliadel 
Dip. Clumps should never be planted without dividing. 
WHEN TO DIVIDE. For the amateur, clumps are bet- 
ter partially divided in January or February. Trim out 
any portions of crown or roots that show decay. On 
early dividing it is not advisable to cut apart to single 
root divisions, but rather divide a clump into two to 
four pieces, leaving two or more roots to a division. 
These can be again divided at planting time as long 
as you have one good eye with each root. Dip cut 
portions in Dahliadel Dip and repack as before. When 
dividing clumps, tagging each division becomes quite 
a chore, also these tags must be removed before plant- 
ing. It is therefore less work to wet the root with a 
sponge or rag and mark either name or number right 
on the root with an indelible pencil. This will not come 
off when packed in vermiculite or even during a grow- 
ing season in the ground. Let roots dry in air before 
repacking in vermiculite. 
Cut sprouts back to Y2 inch before planting. 
DAHLIA CULTURE FOR FLORIDA 
AND PARTS OF TEXAS 
Cultural instructions in general can be used with 
the following exceptions. Dahlias need more shade than 
in the north, they do well on the north side of citrus 
or other trees getting some morning and afternoon sun, 
or grown in a slat house similar to the ones used for 
growing asparagus fern. Fertilize about once every 4 
to 6 weeks, using smaller quantities for each applica- 
tion than recommended under Fertilizer, as it is a longer NAM en cee en nnnntnnnnntne nena 
growing season and with a porous soil 1/2 to 2 times 
the total recommended amounts can be used during the 
entire growing season. 
Dahlias do not respond to pinching out as they do 
in the north and’ some varieties will not branchvat all 9 
when pinched back, so handle your bushes according 
to Drawing Z. 
LANDSCAPE WITH DAHLIAS 
A number of varieties are now available that lend 
themselves wonderfully well to landscape work. They 
may be grown where a mass color effect is wanted, 
or may even be started in pots and set out in mid- 
season after other plant material is through blooming. 
Dwarf Dahlias were originally used in landscape plant- 12 15 
ing, and they are still fine for low effects, but a number 
of Miniatures are more desirable, and in general! easier 
to grow, giving higher effects suitable for central or 
background plantings. They are also available in a 
greater range of colors, and lovely in beds or border 
plantings. 
DAHLIADEL NURSERIES | 
SCORING DAHLIAS 
To simplify classification to size and use of the 
dahlia, we have scored all varieties grown at Dahliadel 
according to our new field score card. 
Three sizes of dahlias, as listed in A.D.S. Standard 
Nomenclature, may be scored with this card: M—SMALL, 
under 4 inches in diameter; B—MEDIUM, 4 to 8 inches; 
and A—LARGE, over 8 inches. Each number represents 
maximum points for perfection based on favorable 
characteristics present in flower to be scored. 
To start judging we set up a minds’ picture of an 
absolutely perfect flower of the same size, type and 
color classification. Then deduct for imperfections from 
each specific quality. Start with COLOR, then FORM, 
etc., using the column of figures under M for Minia- 
ture, B for 4 to 8 inches and A for over 8 inches. 
DISTINCTIVENESS is mainly for COLOR or FORM when 
distinctly different from existing varieties. 
Although not official, we have 21/2 pages of dahlias 
classified as BB in the front of our catalog to satisfy 
public demand for a medium size bloom suitable for 
cutting and decorating. They grow from 4 to 6 inches 
and are good keepers when cut. Classes are set up for 
this size in the A.D.S. Show Schedule and in a number 
of other shows throughout the country, and they are 
proving very popular. Varieties in this class are B 
Dahlias that do not grow over 6 inches and include 
overgrown Miniatures, giving you a chance to disbud 
and grow some really nice blooms without danger of 
oversize. 
DAHLIADEL SCORE SHEET 
FOR FIELD SCORING 
= oF 
Type 
Originators a= Color __ 
MB 2A, Scores sSource 2) to oe eee inte 
IDS SS So1/5 Sea, FORM 2235.2 eet 
Sta a ev ce moe DISWinetiven... saa 
Ome el Ose Ziecdisbuddedaam aC ae Sue ature eee FS eee 
ZOO me Ouran STEM [ al Lae NGL am zZ 
Veet sete oe ee Hl pe Berean ens Nee Pe Roo oe 
FOLIAGE == 
Insect injury Ring Spot Mos 
1 ORE see Shen SUBstancese. == ene & 
TOM ROgEES eevee FLORiferous E M L [Uniformity Show Room] 
otal. ees Date Misra ieee Wheres =o se 
Remarks 
