Cactus Dahtia. © 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Double Gloria Dahlia. 
Dahlias. 
The Dahlia. 
—<_—_. 
(From the American “ Florists” 
Exchange.”) 
[Planting operations for 
begin during this month.—Ep.] 
Australia 
This interesting and useful plant for 
the decoration of our gardens in middle 
summer and fall was first discovered in 
its wild state in Mexico, and introduced 
into Europe about 1789, and although 
cultivated in several different parts of 
_ the country by umateurs and gardeners, 
it failed to become well-established before 
1814, when the first semi-double and 
doutle varieties were obtained, and anew 
impetus given to the cultivation of the 
plant. 
The changes and improvements 
obtained and the popular attention given 
to the culture of the Dahlia are really 
wonderful ; principally are these advances 
noticeable in the case of the types of new 
Cactus and decorative Dahlias. But, 
however popular these new types may 
become, I hope they will not supplant 
our old ball-shaped varieties, with their 
beautiful colors and symmetrical forms. 
What other plants can give us such a 
diversity of color of every shade and 
tint? Its ease of cultivation, and its 
adaptability to several conditions, make 
it, indeed, a most useful subject, either 
for the purposes of cut flowers, bedding, 
bordering, mixing among shrubs, potted 
plants with the dwarfer varieties, or us a 
single specimen on the lawn. 
CLASSIFICATION, 
The varieties of Dahlia have been 
divided into many different sections and 
classes. The following will be most 
generally found: mentioned in cata 
logues :— 
Show: All varieties producing large, 
compact, well-formed flowers, usually of 
a solid color, but sometimes shaded with 
darker or lighter tints, 
Fancy: All variegated varieties. 
Cactus: The flowers are perfectly 
double, with long, narrow petals, and the 
plants are very profuse bioomers. The 
Juarezii, an intense scarlet, was the first 
of this type to be introduced in 1872, 
and consequently is the parent of this 
extensive class 
Decorative: An intermediate form of 
the above, and sometimes classed with it. 
The plants are of strong growth, and 
produce large flowers with flat and 
broader petals. One of the best for 
general decoration. 
Pompon: One of the most useful for 
bedding; also for flowering in pots; of 
dwarf and compact growth. 
Single: Very useful for bouquets; 
these are among the easiest to grow. 
’ PROPAGATION 
Propagation is effected by seed, 
cuttings, divisions of the roots and some- 
times grafting The seeds are sown in 
flats, in the greenhouse. When the seed- 
lings are large enough to handle, trans- 
plant them into 2}. inch pots, and set 
outside after danger from frost is past. 
If well watered until thoroughly estab- 
lished the plants will flower the first 
season. 
In the case of cuttings, the old roots 
are placed in a bench, in a greenhouse, 
the roots being only covered (not the 
crown), with about 2 in. of soil. Syringe 
when necessary to keep them partly 
moist. As soon as the young shoots are 
about 3 in. in length, tear off, or cut with 
a knife just below the joint, and place 
September 1, 1908 
the severed portion in a cutting bench. 
With proper treatment they will root in 
about ten or twenty days, when they can 
be transferred into 3 in, pots, and shaded 
for afew days. As soon as the roots 
have taken a good hold, remove the 
plants to acold frame. Keep as cold aa 
possible to retard their growth without 
impairing their vitalit , in order to get 
strong and thrifty plants. 
When one has enough cuttings of a 
variety. divide the old roots to as many 
eyes as there are on the crown; pot to 
size required and again place in a cold: 
frame. 
If before planting time the plants are 
growing too fast to suit your purposes, . 
retard them, by removing them to the 
north side of a building. 
Division of the old roots is the most 
easy and satisfactory way for the amateur, 
The oid roots placed in a red hot bed, 
or greenhouse, and kept a little moist, 
soon start to grow As soon as they show 
their growth divide to as many eyes as 
there are on the crown, pot and place in 
acoldframe, or plant out in their per- 
manent quarters after danger from frost 
is past, The roots can also be taken 
from their winter quarters and planted 
out-of-doors; but always divide the old 
clump. They will not make such large- 
plants, but the flower will be better and 
the plants will bloom more profusely. 
I believe in growing all Dahlias to 
single stems; therefore, all the shoots 
but one should be removed as soon as. 
they appear. 
LOCATION. 
While the Dahlia is a very easy plant 
to grow, it will respond readily to some 
special attention. The most suitable 
location for the plantsis where they will 
get plenty of sunlight, air, and moisture, 
as they need those elements to grow to. 
perfection. 
Before plauting time same decom- 
posed manure is forked in, and well 
mixed with the soil; but if the manure 
is not well decomposed use instead some 
kind of fertiliser rich in ammonia, and. 
if in previous years the soil has been well 
suppied with plant food; I would not use 
any kind of manure at all. as a too rich. 
soil will induce a soft growth and poor 
flowers. oe 
PLANTING... 
So much has been said of late about 
the best time to plant Dahlias that it is- 
impossible to give any special rule to 
follow on this important subject that will: 
suit everyone. My advice to those de- — 
siring no flowers, or only a few partly — 
formed and insignificant ones, and ex-- 
tremely large plants, is to plant early. 
But if you are a lover of this plant, and 
wish to enjoy it in its full glory, plant 
late, and you will be rewarded: with com- 
pact plants covered with beautifully 
shaped flowers. ‘ oe 
At Malvern, our first plants were set 
on June 9, with our batch of cuttings: 
and also divided plants and we kept on 
Oo 
