ABBREVIATIONS 
F. D—Formal Decorative. I. D.—Informal Decorative. 
C.—Cactus. S. C.—Semi-Cactus St. C.—Straight Cactus. 
Miniature dahlias are under four inches in diameter. 
Ball dahlias are 4 inches and over in diameter. Pom-Pon 
dahlias are 2 inches and under. Miniature-ball dahlias are 
from 2 to 4 inches in diameter. “A” size dahlias are over 
8 inches in diameter. “B” size dahlias are from 4 to 8 
inches in diameter. 
Size given in example — 8x6 means 8 inch diameter 
of bloom 6 inches in depth of bloom. 
DAHLIA CULTURE 
Dahlias are very easy to grow and if given a little 
extra care in the early growing season, your dahlias will 
respond surprisingly well. As a rule the amount of success 
you have is directly proportional work and attention given 
LG tnem: 
Plant when there is no danger of frost. Here in 
Southern California from April to June. 
Plant where they will receive the maximum amount 
of sunlight. Too well shaded conditions, as when planted 
under trees that let little direct sunlight in, will result 
in very tall growth and a noticeable fading in the blooms. 
At this point may we suggest that a good shade over your 
blooms for several days prior to their maturing, will add 
immeasureably to the quality of any particular bloom. 
After this the shade should be removed. This measure 
is taken frequently by growers who are exhibiting at the 
shows. Try it and see. 
Almost any kind of garden soil will grow good dahlias. 
Fertilizing should be done several months _ before 
planting. Spading any organic fertilizer into the soil will 
do. Barnyard manure is one of the best. At any rate use 
the fertilizer that is handy and cheapest for you. Later 
on in the growing season, a little commercial fertilizer, 
that is suitable to dahlias, like (4-10-10) will be helpful, 
spread around the plants, raked in and watered good. 
When planting roots place four or five inches under 
ground with the sprouting eye up and about 3 inches 
from the supporting stake. No heavy watering is done 
until they reach a foot high. When blooming, they should 
receive plenty of water. 
When green plants are set out, be sure that they get 
watered frequently. More failures result from green plants 
because they do not get the water they need in the early 
growing season. Green plants grow like roots. They give 
the same amount of blooms and tubers, as roots do. 
Disbudding should be done to give that extra size 
to your blooms. In the smaller classes, miniatures and 
pompons should not be disbudded. In disbudding, pinch 
out the side shoots that appear on the stalk. The shoots 
at the base of the stalk can be left on for the next crop 
of blooms. As a rule about 4 or 5 canes can be left on to 
insure maximum size for the large varieties. 
Cultivation should not be overlooked in the early 
growing season. Keep your garden free of weeds at all 
times. 
Spraying with DDT once a week will give your dahlias 
a lot of insect protection. One of the new insecticides 
coming on the market is MALATHION. It is very effective 
against red spider, aphis and thrip. Consult your nursery- 
man on the subject. When mildew appears on the foliage 
dust lightly with sulphur and you will prolong the growing 
season another month. 
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