GROWING BIG DAHLIA BLOOMS

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 3, 20 January 1909, Page 39

GROWING BIG DAHLIA BLOOMS

This is so much on a par with (’annas that the one naturally suggests the other. Here, again, the main secret of obtaining exhibition blooms is to strike cuttings, instead of relying on old tubers. The stools are stood on a bed of light soil as with ('annas, and a little light soil is scattered over them so that the tubers are quite, but not. deeply, covered. When the cuttings are about 3in. long they are cut off and struck. It is important that Dahlia cuttings should never Hag, hence the pots should be quite ready and brought to the Dahlia stools before a cutting is removed. Pots 2Ain. in diameter are best, using a very

sandy compost and placing one cutting in each pot. Shade should be given from the sun, ami the syringe should be gently used twice daily, but no more water than is really required should lie given to the soil. W hen rooted, the plants should g » into 4lin. pots, ami ultimately be hard ened off for planting out early in .lune. If well looked after outdoors these youngsters will give the finest possible flowers.