Dahlia Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' (D)
ABOUT
Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' is an ornamental flowering plant known for its impressive and beautiful blooms. The flowers are characterized by their large size and breathtaking coloration. Petals are arranged in a layered pattern, often appearing full and lush. Each petal boasts a soft, gradient hue that typically transitions from a lighter base to a more vibrant tip. This gradation can include shades of pink, purple, or even a creamy white edging into a rich color. The petals may have a rounded or slightly pointed shape, contributing to the overall fluffy and inviting look of the flower. At the center, there is typically a contrasting, deeper core that can draw the eye. The foliage of Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' provides an attractive backdrop to its stunning flowers. Leaves are typically green, with a shape that may range from ovate to pinnate, and have a healthy sheen. The stems are strong and sturdy, supporting the large blooms that sit at the end. The overall presentation of the plant is one of vibrant, showy beauty that can be a standout addition to any garden or floral display.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Garden Dahlia
Common names
Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos'
ToxicityTo humans
The Dahlia is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingestion of any part of the plant typically does not result in serious poisoning. Nevertheless, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested. It is always recommended to avoid consuming parts of ornamental plants due to potential pesticide exposure.
To pets
The Dahlia is also considered non-toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. While not typically dangerous, ingestion of the plant can sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals. This could include symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Continuous supervision and preventing your pets from grazing on ornamental plants like dahlias is wise to avoid any potential discomfort.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Blooms: Dahlias like 'Vassio Meggos' are known for their striking and large flowers, which can add visual interest to any garden or landscape.
- Variety of Colors: These plants can produce flowers in an array of vibrant colors, providing versatility in garden design.
- Pollinator Friendly: Dahlias attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting the overall health of the garden ecosystem.
- Long Blooming Season: With proper care, Dahlias will bloom from midsummer until the first frost, offering extended beauty in the garden.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms of the Dahlia make excellent cut flowers, allowing for the creation of beautiful bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Easy to Grow: Dahlias are generally easy to cultivate and, with minimal care, can thrive in a variety of soil types and climates.
- Decorative Pots: Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' can be grown in decorative pots, making it suitable for patios, balconies, or as part of a container garden.
- Garden Focal Point: Due to their size and stunning flowers, these Dahlias can serve as a captivating focal point in garden beds and landscapes.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dahlias can be used as a natural dye source, where the petals of the Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' can create a range of vibrant colors for textiles and crafts.
- The hollow stems of dahlias can be used in floral crafts as tiny vases or containers for small delicate blooms that need individual support.
- Petals of the Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' can be incorporated into paper making to add texture and flecks of color to handmade paper products.
- These dahlias can serve as a muse for artists and photographers, providing a striking subject for paintings, drawings, and photography due to their rich colors and intricate patterns.
- The spent blooms and foliage of dahlias can be added to compost piles as a source of organic matter to improve soil structure in gardens.
- Dahlia tubers can be used in science education to demonstrate vegetative propagation and plant biology concepts in schools and workshops.
- The plant's structure and growth can offer a real-time model for studies in geometry and the Fibonacci sequence, showing the natural occurrence of these mathematical patterns.
- Dahlias can be used in landscape design as a natural pest control strategy, as they can help attract pollinators and beneficial insects that prey on garden pests.
- In crafting, the rigid and symmetrical form of dahlia flowers can inspire patterns and designs in jewelry making, especially in earrings and pendants.
- The distinct and vivid colors of Dahlias can be used in color therapy and psychology to influence moods and create ambiance in therapeutic settings.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Dahlia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Dahlia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Commitment - Dahlias often symbolize a lasting bond and commitment between two people, as they are known for their intricate layers, which can represent a deep and intricate connection.
- Dignity - The dahlia's upright posture and the neat arrangement of its petals are associated with dignity, making it a symbol of the wearer's self-respect and the respect they command from others.
- Elegance - With their striking and sophisticated blooms, dahlias represent elegance and inner strength, reflecting an individual's poise and graceful handling of life's challenges.
- Creativity - The variety of colors and patterns found in dahlias can serve to represent personal creativity, celebrating diversity in artistic expression and thought.
- Change and Diversity - Dahlias bloom in an array of colors and shapes, symbolizing the richness and constant change in life, much like the ongoing journey of personal growth and evolution.
- Warning - Sometimes, dahlias are used to represent a warning of change due to their diverse forms; they can signal the need to adapt to new environments and circumstances.
WaterDahlias should be watered deeply once or twice a week, providing about 1-2 inches of water each time, which can be roughly translated to 0.5 gallons for smaller plants and up to 2 gallons for larger, established plants. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering sessions. During hot, dry periods, watering frequency may need to increase. It is important to water the plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry and prevent mildew problems.
LightDahlias thrive in a location that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. The ideal spot for a Dahlia is in an area with direct sunlight and some protection from strong afternoon sun in hotter regions. Avoid planting in heavy shade, as this can hinder the plant's growth and bloom production.
TemperatureDahlias prefer a growing environment with a temperature range between 60°F and 75°F during the day. They can survive minimum temperatures of around 50°F at night. However, they are sensitive to frost, and temperatures below 32°F can damage or kill the plant. Dahlias grow best when night temperatures do not drop drastically from daytime temperatures.
PruningRegular pruning, or deadheading, of Dahlias encourages continued blooming and good plant health. Remove spent flowers and any damaged or diseased tissue. The best time to prune is when the flowers begin to fade and no longer look vibrant. Pruning can take place throughout the blooming season, which is typically from midsummer until the first frost.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDahlias thrive best in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A good soil mix for Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' would consist of equal parts garden soil, peat moss or compost, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage. The ideal soil pH for dahlias is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.5 to 7.0. Regular application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can help promote robust growth and vibrant blooms.
RepottingDahlias, including the Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos', typically don't require frequent repotting as they are often grown from tubers each season. It's best to plant new tubers annually in spring after the last frost. However, if you're growing dahlias in containers, you may need to replace the soil each year to refresh nutrients.
Humidity & MistingDahlias, including Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos', prefer moderate ambient humidity. They can tolerate a range of humidity levels but will do best if humidity is neither too low nor excessively high. Ensuring good air circulation around the plants can help prevent issues related to high humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light and consistent moisture for indoor dahlias.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, fertile soil, and ensure proper spacing and staking.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleDahlias (Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos') begin their life cycle as tubers planted after the last frost when the soil has warmed sufficiently. The tubers sprout and send up shoots, growing into bushy plants with sturdy stems. As the plants mature, they produce large, showy flowers ranging in color from pink to purple, typically blooming from midsummer until the first fall frost. After flowering, dahlias focus energy back to their tubers, which store food for the plant's next growing season. When temperatures drop, the aerial parts of the dahlia die back, and the tubers can be dug up, cleaned, and stored in a cool, frost-free place over the winter. The following spring, the tubers are replanted, completing the life cycle and beginning a new growth cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method for propagating Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' is through division, ideally performed in springtime just before the new growth begins. This involves splitting the tuberous roots when they are dormant, ensuring that each division has at least one eye, or growth point, from which new shoots can emerge. Carefully shaking off any excess soil and cutting the clumps apart with a sharp, sterile knife or spade, gardeners should aim for divisions roughly the size of a large potato, or approximately 3 to 5 inches across (7.5 to 12.5 cm). Once divided, the tubers can be planted directly into the ground at a depth of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm), with the eye pointing upwards. Ensuring the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter will give the new plants the best start, and it's important to avoid waterlogging which can cause the tubers to rot.
