Dahlia Dahlia 'Fascination' (P)

Water

Dahlia 'Fascination' should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Drip irrigation or soaking the ground at the base of the plant is preferred to avoid wetting the foliage, which could lead to fungal diseases. During the active growing season, especially on hotter days, dahlias may need more frequent watering. As a general guideline, provide about one to two gallons of water per plant each week, adjusting as necessary for rainfall and temperature.

Light

Dahlia 'Fascination' thrives best in full sun which means it should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Planting dahlias in an area that gets ample morning sunlight and some afternoon shade can help protect the blooms during the hottest part of the day. However, they can still perform well with all-day sunlight, so an open spot without shade from trees or buildings is ideal.

Temperature

Dahlia 'Fascination' prefers temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for ideal growth. They can withstand a range up to 90 degrees, but prolonged heat can be stressful to the plant. Dahlias should not be planted until the ground has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and they are sensitive to frost, with minimum survival temperatures just a few degrees above the freezing point.

Pruning

Dahlia 'Fascination' benefits from regular deadheading to encourage more blooms and maintain plant energy. Prune spent flowers and any damaged or diseased stems throughout the blooming season. The best time for major pruning is early spring when new growth appears, and during this time, you may also cut back any older stems to promote vigorous growth.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Dahlias prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH, around 6.5 to 7.0. The best soil mix for Dahlia 'Fascination' is a combination of loam, peat moss, and sand to ensure good drainage and fertility. Adding compost or decayed manure will provide the necessary nutrients for optimal growth.

Repotting

Dahlias, including the variety 'Fascination', do not need repotting as they are typically grown from tubers each year. Instead, the tubers should be lifted and stored during the winter in colder climates and replanted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.

Humidity & Misting

Dahlias like 'Fascination' are not particularly humidity sensitive, but they do well with average ambient humidity found outdoors. They do not require high humidity environments and are quite adaptable to normal outdoor conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Dahlia 'Fascination' in a bright spot and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, fertile soil, water deeply, stake if needed.

• Hardiness zone

  8-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life cycle of the Dahlia 'Fascination' begins with the germination of tubers planted after the last frost date when the soil has warmed. The sprouting stage follows, with shoots emerging from the tubers and first leaves developing, which then give way to vegetative growth, characterized by the development of a robust stem and further leaf development. As the plant matures, the bud stage commences, where flower buds start to form prompted by longer daylight hours in late spring to early summer. The blooming stage occurs when the Dahlia 'Fascination' flowers are in full color and size, usually from midsummer until the first frosts of autumn. After blooming, the plant enters the senescence phase as colder weather approaches, where foliage begins to die back and the plant focuses energy on the tubers for next year’s growth cycle. Finally, the plant overwinters in a dormant state, where the tubers rest underground until the cycle begins again with the next warm season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method for propagating Dahlia 'Fascination', commonly known as simply Dahlia, is by dividing its tubers. This is best done in spring when the plant is just beginning to sprout. After gently digging up the clump of tubers from the ground, carefully separate them by hand or with a sharp knife, ensuring that each division has at least one eye (bud) from which new growth can emerge. The cut surfaces should then be allowed to dry for a day or two to form a callus, which helps prevent rotting. The individual tuber pieces can then be replanted about 6-8 inches (about 15-20 centimeters) deep and spaced about 18-24 inches (approximately 45-60 centimeters) apart to allow sufficient room for growth. This division method encourages robust growth and an abundance of blooms during the growing season.