The ‘Boy Scout’ Dahlia is a captivating garden addition, known for its vibrant, abundant blooms. It offers a rewarding experience for any grower.
What Makes Boy Scout Dahlia Unique?
The ‘Boy Scout’ Dahlia is a ball dahlia, featuring perfectly rounded, symmetrical blooms, typically 3 to 4 inches across. Its incurved petals create a dense, spherical form. Colors vary, with some sources describing vibrant yellow and red bicolors, while others note striking lavender-pink or purple hues, sometimes with hints of blue.
These dahlias bloom prolifically from midsummer until season’s end, reaching 3 to 4 feet tall. Sturdy stems support abundant blooms, making them excellent for cut flowers due to their longer vase life.
Planting Your Boy Scout Dahlia
Plant ‘Boy Scout’ dahlia tubers in full sun, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid excessive shade, which leads to leggy plants and reduced bloom production.
Use fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Amend heavy clay soil with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and aeration, preventing tuber rot. Plant tubers outdoors after the last frost, typically in late spring to early summer.
Place tubers 4 to 6 inches deep with the “eye” (the small bump from which shoots emerge) facing upwards. If unsure, plant horizontally. Space tubers 18 to 24 inches apart for adequate air circulation and to prevent overcrowding. After planting, water thoroughly to settle soil, but avoid overwatering initially to prevent rot.
Ongoing Care for Boy Scout Dahlia
Consistent care ensures vibrant blooms. Water deeply when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, especially during dry periods and flowering. They prefer consistent moisture but not soggy conditions; deep watering encourages resilient root growth.
Fertilization supports growth and flower production. A balanced fertilizer, or lower nitrogen, is suitable. Too much nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers, so avoid high-nitrogen formulas. Apply fertilizer monthly during the active growing season as directed.
Staking is necessary to support ‘Boy Scout’ dahlias and prevent stems from breaking under the weight of blooms or strong winds. Install stakes at planting to avoid damaging tubers later. Gently tie growing stems to stakes, ensuring ties are loose enough to prevent girdling the stem.
Deadheading encourages more flowers. Removing faded blossoms diverts energy from seed production to new buds, extending flowering. Regularly inspect plants for signs of stress or pest issues.
Common Challenges and Solutions
‘Boy Scout’ dahlias can face challenges from pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. Common pests include slugs damaging young foliage, and earwigs chewing on leaves and buds. Aphids and spider mites suck plant juices, causing distorted growth or yellowing. Organic controls like insecticidal soap manage aphids and mites, while traps or physical removal help with slugs and earwigs.
Dahlias are susceptible to diseases like powdery mildew, appearing as white spots on leaves in dry conditions. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help prevent this. Viral diseases, including Dahlia Mosaic Virus, cause stunted growth, distorted leaves, and discoloration; infected plants cannot be cured. Remove and destroy any plant showing viral signs to prevent spread, as aphids transmit these viruses.
Improper watering can lead to issues. Overwatering causes yellowing leaves, wilting, and root rot, while underwatering results in drooping, dry, or crispy foliage. Ensure proper drainage and water only when topsoil is dry. Heat stress can also stop flowering, especially in intensely sunny climates, where afternoon shade might be beneficial.
Overwintering Boy Scout Dahlia Tubers
In colder climates where the ground freezes, overwintering ‘Boy Scout’ dahlia tubers is necessary. Begin after the first hard frost, causing foliage to die back as the plant sends energy to tubers. Wait a week or two for tubers to mature, then dig them up before the ground freezes solid.
Carefully dig around the dahlia clump with a garden fork, a foot from the main stalk, to avoid tuber damage. Gently lift the clump and shake off excess dirt. Some wash tubers, others leave dirt. After digging, cure tubers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location for a few days to weeks until skin toughens.
Once cured, trim the main stem to 1 to 2 inches above the tuber clump. Store tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free environment, ideally 40-45°F (4-7°C) with 80-90% humidity. Use storage mediums like peat moss, vermiculite, wood shavings, or dry compost in breathable containers (e.g., cardboard boxes). Ensure tubers do not touch to prevent rot spread. Check them periodically throughout winter, removing any showing decay.