CHARM DAHLIAS

Evening Star, Issue 21880, 17 November 1934, Page 25

CHARM DAHLIAS

During the last few years the charm typo of dahlia has become very popular among amateur gardeners. 11 is particularly suited to those who have small beds to fill, which must he kept gay over a long period at small expense. Unlike the strong-growing Cactus and Pacony-fiowered sorts, tho Charm Dahlias have a compact habit of growth, and rarely exceed three feet in height; most of them grow to about two and a-half feet (says ‘ Popular Gardening,’ London). All that they need is an open position which gets plenty of sun. Manure of some kind will produce better plants and flowers, but new, rank material will encourage foliage at the expense of flowers. Well-rooted manure, or leafmonld, to each bushel of which has been added a six-inch potful of bonemeal and superphosphate, will help to keep growth stocky and produce an abundance of flowers until frosts come. In good soils the addition of bonemeal alone will suffice.

Nowadays all reliable firms who specialise in the cultivation of dahlias send out well-hardened plants of the Charm varieties ready for planting out into their permanent positions in June. Plant firmly and put the short stakes in position at once if the bed is exposed to strong winds. In sheltered gardens the growth is sufficiently strong and sturdy to do without this aid. -Water should he given in dry periods, giving one good soaking at least once a week rather than frequent sprinklings. The blooming period is prolonged by the removal of the blooms as they fade.