CARE OF DAHLIAS 
(in California) 
Plant dahlia roots in May. Have the soil dug deep and well worked 
beforehand. Place a stake at each place, dig a hole deep enough so that 
the root can be covered 4 or 5 inches, and leave a wide basin 2 or 3 inches 
deep for watering. Lay roots flat, never on end. Plant 2¥2 to 3 feet apart. 
Water well as soon as planted and about once a week until plants are 
well above ground. Irrigate thoroughly about twice a week when plants 
are growing strong and blooming. If plants are topped when about a foot 
high it will cause them to branch and make a sturdier growth. Larger 
blooms and better: sterns may be had by disbudding. Leave large center 
bud and take off small side buds and sprouts above leaves for 2 or 3 
joints. Use fertilizer sparingly. The time to fertilize is when plants are 
topped. Spray with a nicotine or other garden spray to prevent leaf pests 
the same as for other garden plants. Use ant poisons to keep ants from 
the patch. Dust with sulphur to control mildew. For a long season of 
bloom keep old flowers with foliage cut off and be sure to keep well 
watered at all times. Dahlias like an open, sunny location away from the 
roots of trees and shrubs. Do not dig clumps until about the first of the 
year, leave soil on them, and store in a dry, frost-proof shed. Cut off dry 
stalks, stack together and cover with old bags or something of the kind. 
Wash and divide carefully at planting time. 
DAHLIAS AS CUT FLOWERS — It is better to cut them in the early morning 
or late evening. A fully matured bloom will last better than a young 
tender one. Removing large leaves from the stems will add to the keeping 
qualities. Dip the tips of the stems 2 or 3 inches deep in boiling water for 
a couple minutes and then place immediately in a vessel of deep cold 
water. Setting the flowers outside at night and giving them fresh water 
every day or two has been found helpful. In warm weather a piece of ice 
placed in the vase seems to help. On exhibition tables flowers are fresh- 
ened by spraying lightly with cold water occasionally during the day. 
A few varieties are naturally poor keepers and flowers. grown in the 
shade or forced so as to have too soft a growth are difficult to keep, espe- 
cially in hot weather. In late years nice arrangements are being made 
with blooms on short stems floated in bowls or trays, which will last for 
a long time. 
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