DAHLIA DISPLAYS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 153, 25 March 1938, Page 18

DAHLIA DISPLAYS

How To Prolong Them . So that the gay and useful bedding dahlias may maintain an unbroken display for as long as possible—until the autumn frosts end their activities —it is necessary to encourage them with various little attentions, simple to provide and far-reaching in results. The first important detail is the regular removal of all spent blooms. Where fresh flowers are wanted for vases, cutting should invariably be done in the early morning, while the dew is still upon the plants; they will then retain their beauty for a longer period than if taken at a later hour. In dry weather the plants can be greatly assisted by a mulch of old manure from a spent hotbed or mushroom -bed, of lawn mowings or halfdecayed leaves. The topdressing should be applied immediately after watering, and must not be too thickly laid on; just a light dressing will suffice. A too-abundant mulch of lawn mowings may result in a certain amount of fermentation harmful to the plants, whereas a light dressing will conserve moisture and counteract drying winds and hot sun.

Bedding dahlias will respond gratefully to copious supplies of well diluted liquid manure. Take care not to swill the soil away from the tubers as, if exposed, they quickly take harm. It is a. good plan to water with a coarse-rosed can. Failing this, the spout should be kept near the soil. Judicious thinning will play a great part in a good and continuous floral display.. The thin and weakly shoots should be removed from crowded specimens—and plants soon become crowded when doing well. ■ The removal of the poor material gives the remaining shoots more room and enables them to become stronger and to bear larger and better flowers. Until the mulch is applied the hoe should be employed between the plants as often as possible. This invaluable tool will promote a dust-like surface to conserve moisture and to encourage the extension of the surface roots.