Dahlia Cactus Mix

Hardiness zones 7-10, (-15°C/5°F, 1°C/35°F) in Winter. In all but the hottest climates, grow Dahlias in full sun. In hot Summer areas, do best with some afternoon shade. Dahlias prefer moist, but well-drained soil. If you have sandy soil, add compost or other organic material to increase water retention. For heavy clay soil, add sand and organic material to increase drainage. The plants should be watered regularly during dry spells. Tubers are frost tender, but can be re-used each year if they are lifted in the autumn and stored in the fridge. Dahlia shoots are frost-sensitive; plant tubers in the garden no sooner than two weeks before the last date of Spring frost. In the South, plant tubers from April 15th to May 1st. Or, to avoid the intense heat of midsummer, plant in June so that flowers develop in the Fall. Germination Sow seeds 1/4" deep in trays of seed compost, you can do this indoors. Keep moist and warm; 15-20°C (60-68°F). Germination will take 10-20 days. When the seedlings have developed 2-4 leaves, plant out in May, spacing between 24-30 inches, 60-75 cm apart. Dahlias take 8 to 12 weeks from planting to start blooming.