Dahlia Dahlia American Pie = 'Vdtg26' (PBR) (Dark Angel Series) (Sin)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Dahlia American Pie, belonging to the Dark Angel Series, is a captivating flower with a striking appearance. The blooms are characterized by their unique and vibrant coloration. Each blossom features petals that possess a rich, multi-tonal palette blending shades of color. The central disc of the flower, from which the petals radiate, often contrasts in color to the petals, adding to its alluring visual appeal. The petals are arranged in a geometric pattern that is pleasing to the eye and typical of dahlias, forming a circular shape that is symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing. The foliage of the Dahlia American Pie provides a lush green backdrop that complements and accentuates the colors of the flowers. Leaves are typically shaped in a way that is common to dahlia plants, with their edges sometimes having a slight serration or texture. Additional features of the Dahlia American Pie might include stems that are sturdy, supporting the showy flowers well, and allowing them to stand out prominently within a garden setting. When in full bloom, the plant provides a stunning display that can act as a focal point or contribute to a vibrant tapestry of color when planted amongst other garden varieties.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Asteraceae.
- Synonyms
  Dahlia 'American Pie', Dark Angel 'American Pie'.
- Common names
  Dahlia American Pie 'Vdtg26' (PBR) (Dark Angel Series) (Sin).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Dahlias are not considered toxic to humans. They do not typically cause serious harm if ingested, and symptoms from ingestion, if any, are usually mild and could include gastrointestinal discomfort. However, it is always advisable to avoid eating non-food plants due to potential individual allergies and unexpected reactions.
- To pets
  Dahlias are generally considered non-toxic to pets. However, if a pet ingests parts of a Dahlia plant, mild gastrointestinal upset could occur, such as vomiting or diarrhea. As with humans, it is best to prevent pets from eating plants that are not intended for consumption to avoid any potential adverse effects.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  Mexico

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators - Dahlias provide nectar that attracts beneficial insects to the garden, such as bees and butterflies.
- Colorful Blooms - With a variety of hues, Dahlias add vibrant colors to any garden display.
- Long Flowering Season - Dahlias have a lengthy blooming period, ensuring long-lasting garden interest from summer into fall.
- Great for Cut Flowers - The sizable and striking flowers of Dahlias make excellent choices for bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Easy to Grow - Dahlias are known for being easy to grow and maintain, making them suitable for gardeners of all levels.
- Versatile - Suitable for planting in borders, containers, and as bedding plants, Dahlias are versatile in garden design.
- Produce Tubers - When well cared for, Dahlias produce tubers that can be harvested and stored for replanting in the next season.
- Garden Focal Point - Due to their distinctive look, Dahlias can serve as a focal point in garden designs.
- Comes in Many Forms - Dahlias come in multiple forms and sizes, allowing gardeners to choose the best type for their specific landscape needs.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Dye production: The vibrant petals of the Dahlia can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering a range of colors depending on the treatment of the petals.
- Art and craft material: Dried Dahlia petals can be used in scrapbooking, card making, or as part of a natural material collage, providing texture and color to the artwork.
- Culinary garnish: The edible petals of the Dahlia can add a splash of color and a hint of unique flavor when used as a garnish on salads, desserts, and cocktails.
- Photography subject: Dahlias, with their striking appearance, are popular subjects for photographers who are looking to capture the intricate beauty of flowers in their work.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Biodegradable and colorful, dried Dahlia petals can serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional confetti at celebrations.
- Flower arrangement classes: The Dahlia's variety of forms and colors make it an ideal teaching tool for flower arrangement and floral design workshops.
- Botanical studies: Dahlias can be used in educational settings for botanical illustration classes, as they exhibit a variety of forms that are ideal for learning to draw plant structure.
- Symbolic gifts: Since different dahlia colors have different meanings, they can be given as thoughtful, symbolic gifts that convey messages like dignity, elegance, and commitment.
- Bioindicators: Dahlias could be used as bioindicators to monitor environmental conditions and soil health in a garden or natural habitat, as they react visibly to changes in their growing conditions.
- Fantasy storytelling: Due to their striking appearance, Dahlias can inspire names and motifs in fantasy literature, games, and films, infusing otherworldly elements into creative works.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Dahlia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Dahlia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Elegance and Dignity: Dahlias often symbolize the ability to stand out with grace and natural beauty, much like how they exhibit their intricate petals with poise in the garden.
- Change and Diversity: With their wide range of colors and forms, dahlias are sometimes associated with diversity and change, representing an open-minded approach to life's ever-shifting circumstances.
- Commitment and Bond That Lasts: Dahlias have a long blooming season, which is why they can signify a long-lasting bond or commitment between two individuals.
- Inspiration for Creativity: Their vivid and diverse appearances make dahlias an emblem for creativity and inspiration, urging individuals to embrace their inner muse.
- Warning and Betrayal: In the Victorian era, dahlias also held a negative connotation, signaling a warning of betrayal or impending dishonesty, although this symbolism is less common today.

💧

Every 3-7 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Dahlia plants should be watered deeply to encourage strong root growth, but only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, watering once a week with about 1.5 gallons of water per plant should suffice, but this can vary depending on climate and soil type. Ensure that water is applied directly to the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. During hot, dry periods, the frequency may increase to twice a week. Reduce watering in the fall as the plant goes dormant, especially after the first frost when you can stop watering altogether.
Light
Dahlias, including the Dahlia Dark Angel, thrive in full sun, which means they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for these plants is in an area where they receive the morning sun, which is less intense than the afternoon sun, but they can still grow well if exposed to full sun throughout the day. Avoid placing them in deep shade as this will hinder their bloom production and overall vigor.
Temperature
Dahlias prefer a moderate temperature range and are hardy in a climate where the minimum temperature does not fall below about 60°F. They flourish at temperatures between 70°F and 75°F. Extreme heat or cold can damage the plants, so they should not be exposed to conditions where the temperature rises above 90°F or drops below 50°F. Ideal growth occurs when the night temperatures are cooler than day temperatures, which helps promote vigorous growth and prolific blooming.
Pruning
Prune Dahlias to promote bushy growth, improve air circulation, and encourage more prolific flowering. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage new ones to form. In midsummer, you can cut back tall varieties by one-third to encourage lateral branching and more flowers. The best time for major pruning is in late winter or early spring when the plants are beginning to sprout new growth, to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged tissue.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Dahlias prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.5 and 7.0. A mix consisting of loamy soil, compost, and peat moss or well-rotted manure can provide the nutrients and drainage Dahlia plants require.
Repotting
Dahlias, including the Dark Angel Series, generally do not need frequent repotting and can be replanted annually. Tubers should be lifted after the first frost, stored for winter, and then replanted after the danger of frost has passed in spring.
Humidity & Misting
Dahlias thrive in average garden humidity conditions. They do not have specific humidity requirements but benefit from good air circulation to prevent disease, particularly if grown in areas with high humidity.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, consistent moisture, and good air flow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, ensure soil drains well, protect from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  8-11 USDA
Life cycle
Dahlias like Dahlia American Pie 'Vdtg26' undergo a perennial growth cycle where they start as tubers planted in spring after the last frost. The tubers sprout stems and leaves as the soil warms, and vigorous vegetative growth follows. By midsummer to early autumn, the plant begins to flower, producing its characteristic vibrant blooms. As temperatures drop and daylight wanes in late autumn, the plant's above-ground growth dies back. In colder climates, the tubers are typically dug up and stored over winter to prevent them from freezing. The cycle then restarts the following spring when the tubers can be replanted.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- The Dahlia American Pie 'Vdtg26' (PBR), commonly known as the Dark Angel Dahlia, is typically propagated using tuber division, which is a popular and efficient method for this type of plant. This process is done in the spring after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, generally around the same time that dahlias are planted out in the garden. To propagate by division, a clump of dahlia tubers is carefully dug up and any dead or damaged tubers are removed. The healthy clump is then split into smaller sections, making sure each division has at least one eye, which is a growth point from which new shoots will emerge. These divisions are then planted about 6 inches (15 cm) deep, spaced about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) apart, allowing for ample room for growth. Within several weeks, new shoots should appear, indicating successful propagation. The newly divided tubers will develop into full plants and produce flowers identical to the parent plant.