Mystic Dahlia Dahlia 'Mystic Wonder' (Sin)

Water

Dahlias, including 'Mystic Wonder', require consistent moisture, without being waterlogged. To achieve this, they are typically watered two to three times a week, providing about an inch of water each time. However, this can vary depending on climate conditions such as temperature and rainfall. In the hotter, dryer months, the watering frequency might increase. It's best to water deeply and moderately, directly at the soil level to encourage deep root growth. An approximate amount would be 0.5-0.75 gallons per plant per week, adjusted as necessary for your specific environmental conditions.

Light

Dahlias like 'Mystic Wonder' perform best in full sunlight, which involves at least 6-8 hours of direct sun a day. They should be planted in a location that receives unfiltered sunlight during the morning and partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. For optimal blooming, ensure that the dahlias are shielded from strong winds, which can damage the plant and compromise their exposure to sunlight.

Temperature

Dahlias such as 'Mystic Wonder' favor temperate conditions and grow best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 75°F. These flowers can survive a minimum nighttime temperature of about 50°F, but frost can be detrimental. They will not survive in temperatures below 20°F and should be planted once the danger of frost has passed in the spring. The tubers prefer to be started in soil that is at least 60°F.

Pruning

Pruning, also known as deadheading, is essential for dahlias like 'Mystic Wonder' to encourage better blooms and a more compact growth habit. Spent flowers should be removed by cutting them back to the next side shoot to promote continued blooming. Regular pruning can take place from midsummer until the plant stops flowering. The best time for major pruning to shape the plant or control its size, however, is in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Dahlia 'Mystic Wonder' should be well-draining and fertile, with added organic matter such as compost or peat moss. The ideal pH for Dahlias is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.5 to 7.0. A mixture composed of two parts garden soil, one part peat, and one part perlite or sand can create an optimal growing medium.

Repotting

Dahlias, including 'Mystic Wonder', generally do not need to be repotted frequently as they are often grown annually from tubers. However, if growth is restricted or soil is exhausted, repotting can be done annually in the spring when you see new growth beginning.

Humidity & Misting

Dahlias such as 'Mystic Wonder' prefer average humidity levels. They thrive in outdoor conditions where the humidity is naturally regulated. It is not necessary to adjust humidity levels indoors for these plants if they are provided with adequate watering and air circulation.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure full sun, rich soil, and regular watering.

• Outdoor

  Provide full sun, rich soil, and proper spacing.

• Hardiness zone

  8-11 USDA

Life cycle

'Mystic Wonder' Dahlia begins its life as a tuber, which is planted in the spring after the last frost when the soil is warm. The plant sprouts from the tuber and grows rapidly, producing lush foliage and stems. By midsummer, the Dahlia 'Mystic Wonder' starts to flower, showcasing its distinctive dark foliage and vibrant, blood-red blooms with a dark eye that continue until the first frost. During its growing season, the plant requires regular watering, fertilization, and deadheading to encourage prolonged flowering. As temperatures drop in the fall, the plant's aerial parts start to die back, signaling the end of its annual growth cycle. Over winter, the tubers can be dug up and stored in a cool, frost-free place to be replanted the following spring, completing the cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late Winter - Early Spring

• The most popular method for propagating the Dahlia 'Mystic Wonder' is by dividing its tubers. This is ideally done in spring, just before the growing season starts when the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius). Gardeners should carefully dig up the clumps of tubers and gently break them apart, making sure that each division has at least one eye or bud from which new growth can emerge. The tuber sections are then planted directly into the garden, buried with the eye just below the surface of the soil. It's essential to give them a good watering to help establish the newly planted tubers. This easy and effective method allows dahlias to be multiplied efficiently while maintaining the unique characteristics of the 'Mystic Wonder' variety.