The Almand Joy Dahlia is a popular and striking garden plant, known for its vibrant blooms. Its relatively straightforward care makes it a rewarding choice for gardeners. This guide provides detailed information on cultivating this specific dahlia variety.
Understanding Almand Joy Dahlia
The Almand Joy Dahlia, introduced in 1968, is classified as a Formal Decorative or Dinner Plate dahlia. Its flowers can reach up to 8-10 inches across, showcasing a blend of lavender-pink and white hues, sometimes with a creamy infusion. The petals often exhibit a waterlily shape.
This dahlia typically grows 3.5 to 5 feet tall, making it a prominent feature in garden beds. Its sturdy stems support the large blooms, which emerge from mid-summer until the first frost. Almand Joy is a sought-after variety for its suitability for cut flower arrangements, offering a long vase life.
Planting Almand Joy Dahlia
Planting Almand Joy dahlia tubers should occur in spring after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature consistently reaches at least 60°F (15.5°C). A location receiving full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight daily, is ideal for robust growth and abundant flowering.
The soil should be well-draining, rich, and porous, with a slightly acidic to normal pH. Amend heavy clay or very sandy soil with organic matter like compost, peat moss, or ground bark to a depth of 8-12 inches to improve drainage and fertility.
Plant tubers horizontally 3-6 inches deep, ensuring the ‘eye’ or sprout faces upwards. Space tubers 12-24 inches apart, allowing ample room for growth. After planting, water sparingly until the first sprouts emerge, then increase watering frequency.
Ongoing Care for Almand Joy Dahlia
Consistent deep watering is important once Almand Joy dahlias have sprouted and become established. Aim for deep watering 2-3 times per week, ensuring moisture reaches the roots, especially during dry periods. Avoid wetting the foliage to reduce disease risk. Mulching with 3-4 inches of organic material helps conserve soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Regular fertilization supports vigorous growth and prolific blooming. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again in late summer, or a bloom-type fertilizer monthly from mid-summer until early fall. As Almand Joy dahlias grow tall, staking is necessary to prevent stems from breaking under the weight of large blooms or from wind.
Install stakes, such as bamboo, metal rods, or tomato cages, at planting time to avoid damaging tubers later. Pinching the central shoot when the plant is 8-18 inches tall encourages a bushier plant with more blooms. Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, directs the plant’s energy into producing new blooms rather than setting seeds, extending the flowering season. Regularly inspect plants for common pests like aphids or slugs and signs of diseases such as powdery mildew or yellowing leaves. Addressing these issues promptly helps maintain plant health.
Winterizing Almand Joy Dahlia
In colder climates (USDA Zones 3-7), Almand Joy dahlia tubers are not winter hardy and must be lifted from the ground after the first hard frost. The foliage will blacken and wilt, signaling it is time to dig. Cut stems back to 2-6 inches above ground before carefully excavating the tubers.
After digging, gently shake off excess soil. Allow tubers to dry for several days to a week in a cool, dry location with good air circulation to cure them and prevent rot.
Store dried tubers in a cool, dark, and frost-free environment, ideally between 38-50°F (4-10°C), with approximately 75-85% relative humidity. Pack tubers in a medium like dry peat moss, vermiculite, or sand within cardboard boxes, paper bags, or plastic bins, ensuring air circulation. Periodically check stored tubers for any signs of rot or shriveling throughout winter.
Common Issues and Solutions
Almand Joy dahlias, while generally robust, can encounter challenges. Insufficient blooming often stems from inadequate sunlight, insufficient watering, or improper fertilization. Ensure the plant receives at least six hours of full sun daily and consistent, deep watering, particularly during dry spells. Adjusting the fertilization schedule to include a bloom-specific formula can also encourage more flowers.
Pest infestations, such as aphids, can be managed by spraying affected areas with a strong stream of water or applying insecticidal soap. Slugs, which may chew on leaves and stems, can be deterred with bait or by creating barriers around plants.
Powdery mildew, appearing as a white, powdery growth on leaves, indicates high humidity or poor air circulation. Improving air flow around the plants and applying a fungicide can help. Yellowing leaves might signal a nutrient deficiency or overwatering; checking soil moisture and nutrient levels can help diagnose and correct this issue.