The ‘Checkers Dahlia’ is a popular choice for gardeners due to its distinctive bi-color blooms. This striking flower adds vibrant color and form to borders and containers with its consistent flowering.
Distinctive Features of Checkers Dahlia
The Checkers Dahlia is recognized for its striking red and white coloration. Its petals often display a deep burgundy-red base tipped with pure white, creating a distinctive checkerboard effect.
Classified as a decorative dahlia, it features a formal petal shape. Flowers grow about 10 cm (4 inches) wide, and the plant reaches approximately 1 meter (3 to 4 feet) tall. It produces many blooms throughout the season.
Cultivating Checkers Dahlia
Site and Soil Preparation
Checkers Dahlias thrive in locations with at least six to eight hours of direct sun daily. Ample sunlight promotes sturdy growth and abundant flowering. Well-draining soil is also important, as dahlias do not tolerate soggy conditions, which can lead to tuber rot.
The preferred soil pH ranges from neutral to slightly acidic, between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure improves soil structure and fertility. For heavier clay soils, amendments such as peat moss or sand enhance drainage and aeration.
Planting Checkers Dahlia Tubers
Plant tubers in spring after the last frost, when soil temperature reaches at least 15°C (60°F). Dig a hole 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) deep. Place the tuber horizontally with the “eye” or sprout facing upwards.
Cover the tuber with 5-15 cm (2-6 inches) of loose soil, ensuring no air pockets. Space tubers 30 to 90 cm (12 to 36 inches) apart, depending on desired plant size and air circulation. After planting, water once, then wait until shoots appear before watering again to prevent rot.
Ongoing Care
Water Checkers Dahlias consistently and deeply once established. Water thoroughly two to three times per week, ensuring moisture penetrates 20-25 cm (8-10 inches) deep to encourage strong root growth. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot.
Fertilization supports vigorous growth and abundant blooms; a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) is recommended. Apply fertilizer every three to four weeks until September. Mulching with a 2-4 inch layer of compost helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.
Staking is necessary due to their height and bloom size. Install stakes at planting time or when plants are small, placing them about 8 cm (3 inches) from the main stem to avoid damaging the tuber. As the plant grows, tie stems loosely to the stake every 30 cm (12 inches) for support.
Deadheading, the removal of spent blooms, promotes continuous flowering and plant vigor. Trim faded flowers just above a leaf node or where the flower stem meets a main stem. This redirects the plant’s energy from seed production to new blooms.
Common Issues and Solutions
Checkers Dahlias may encounter common pests and diseases, though preventative measures often mitigate problems. Aphids, spider mites, and slugs are frequent insect visitors. Aphids and spider mites can be dislodged with a strong water spray or treated with insecticidal soaps or neem oil. Slugs can be managed with bait products or by hand-picking.
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis blight may affect dahlias, particularly in humid conditions. Powdery mildew appears as white spots on leaves and is managed by ensuring good air circulation and removing affected foliage. Botrytis, or gray mold, causes brown spots and fuzzy gray spores, often after extended wet periods. Good garden hygiene, including removing plant debris and avoiding overhead watering, helps prevent these diseases.
Winter Care and Tuber Storage
In colder climates, where temperatures drop below freezing, Checkers Dahlia tubers need to be lifted and stored indoors for winter. After the first hard frost causes foliage to blacken, carefully dig up the tubers. Gently remove excess soil and air dry them for a few days in a cool, well-ventilated area to cure.
Once cured, store tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free location between 4-10°C (40-50°F). Pack them in breathable containers with peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to prevent drying or rotting. In warmer climates (USDA Zones 8-10), tubers can remain in the ground over winter if the soil is well-drained.