Dahlia Dahlia 'Mexican Black' (Misc)

Water

For Dahlia 'Mexican Black', also known as "Mexican Black Dahlia," it's crucial to maintain consistently moist soil without letting it become waterlogged. During the growing season, usually spring to fall, water the plant thoroughly once every two to three days, depending on the weather conditions, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Supply about 1 to 2 gallons of water for each plant during each watering session, ensuring you direct the water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage which can lead to fungal diseases. Reduce the frequency of watering as the plant goes dormant in the winter or if rainfall is sufficient.

Light

Mexican Black Dahlias thrive best in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Choose a spot in the garden that gets unobstructed sunlight for most of the day, preferably morning sun which is less intense than afternoon sun. Avoid placing them in deep shade or overly dim areas, as inadequate light can lead to poor blooming and weak growth.

Temperature

For optimal growth, Mexican Black Dahlias prefer temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and should not be exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can tolerate higher summer temperatures if provided with adequate moisture. Ensure to plant them after any risk of frost has passed in the spring, as they cannot survive freezing conditions.

Pruning

Prune Mexican Black Dahlias to encourage bushier growth, larger blooms, and to remove spent flowers, which help in preventing disease and promoting continuous flowering. Deadheading, or removing the faded flowers, should be done regularly throughout the blooming season. Cut back the plants to ground level after the first frost when the plant foliage begins to turn brown, as part of the preparation for winter dormancy.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Dahlia 'Mexican Black' thrives best in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. A good soil mix for this dahlia would include a combination of two parts loam, one part peat moss, and one part sand. This will ensure proper drainage and supply the necessary nutrients for optimal growth.

Repotting

Dahlia 'Mexican Black' should typically be repotted every year. They are not actually repotted but rather planted annually as their tubers are lifted from the soil after the first frost, stored during winter, and then replanted in spring.

Humidity & Misting

Dahlia 'Mexican Black' appreciates moderate humidity levels but is tolerant of a range of conditions. It does not require any specific humidity adjustments when grown outdoors, and it is important to avoid excessive moisture that can lead to fungal diseases.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright light, moderate watering, and stake stems.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, and stake stems.

• Hardiness zone

  8-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life of a Dahlia 'Mexican Black' begins with the germination of a tuber planted in the soil after the last frost, when the soil is warm. It continues to a vegetative stage where foliage and stems develop rapidly in preparation for flowering. The plant then enters the flowering stage, which occurs in late summer to fall, where it produces its distinctive dark-red to almost black blossoms. After flowering, as temperatures cool and day length shortens, the Dahlia 'Mexican Black' starts to die back, with the above-ground plant parts wilting, signaling the onset of dormancy. The tubers can be left in the ground if the climate is mild or dug up and stored in a cool, dry place to overwinter. The next growing season, these tubers can be replanted, thus restarting the life cycle of this perennial plant.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Dahlia 'Mexican Black', more commonly known simply as Dahlia, can be most popularly propagated by dividing its tubers. Typically, the best time to propagate Dahlias by tuber division is in the spring, just before the growing season begins when the soil is workable and not too wet, and when you can see the "eyes" or growth points starting to form on the tubers. To propagate, carefully lift the clump of tubers from the ground using a garden fork, ensuring not to damage them. Then, gently clean the tubers with water to remove soil and allow them to dry for a day to make the division easier. Each division should have at least one eye and a portion of the original tuber. Once divided, these sections can be planted immediately in well-drained soil with the eye just at the soil surface. Plant them about 18 to 24 inches apart (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters) to ensure sufficient room for growth.