Dahlia ‘Blaze’ is a popular and vibrant choice for many gardens, known for its striking blooms that add a burst of color. Its appeal lies in its ability to transform garden spaces with fiery hues and robust growth. Gardeners often seek out this variety for its consistent visual impact.
Dahlia Blaze: A Closer Look
Dahlia ‘Blaze’ captivates with its distinctive, vibrant blooms, showcasing a fiery blend of orange, red, and yellow tones. The colors often transition smoothly across the petals. The flowers commonly measure 4 to 5 inches in diameter, classifying them as small to medium-sized. It produces abundant blooms on plants that generally reach about 3.5 feet in height.
The flowers are often described as decorative or semi-cactus, with petals that may be broad at the base and slightly reflexed. Its prolific blooming period extends from summer until the first frost, providing continuous color through the warmer months. This consistent display, combined with long, sturdy stems, makes ‘Dahlia Blaze’ a notable addition to garden beds and an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements.
Planting Your Dahlia Blaze
Successful planting of Dahlia Blaze tubers begins with selecting an appropriate site that receives ample sunlight, ideally six to eight hours of direct sun daily. This is important for robust growth and prolific flowering. Next, prepare the soil; dahlias thrive in well-draining, rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Incorporating organic matter, such as compost, improves soil structure and fertility.
The ideal time to plant Dahlia Blaze tubers is in the spring, after the last threat of frost has passed. Tubers should be planted horizontally, about 4 to 6 inches deep, with the “eye” or sprout pointing upwards. Proper spacing is important, with tubers typically placed 15 to 18 inches apart for adequate air circulation and growth. After planting, a thorough initial watering helps settle the soil around the tuber.
Caring for Dahlia Blaze
Dahlia Blaze requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season, especially during dry spells and peak blooming. Deep watering two to three times a week is more beneficial than frequent shallow watering, as it encourages deeper root growth. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to tuber rot, by allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Dahlias are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization once established. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 formula, applied every three to four weeks, supports healthy foliage and abundant blooms. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Support taller varieties with stakes or cages to prevent stems from breaking under the weight of large blooms or strong winds.
Deadheading spent blooms is a simple yet effective practice that encourages the plant to produce more flowers rather than expending energy on seed production. Remove faded flowers by cutting the stem back to a leaf node or a developing side shoot. Regular inspection for pests like aphids, slugs, and earwigs helps in early detection and management. Good air circulation, achieved through proper spacing, helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
Overwintering Dahlia Tubers
In colder climates, where temperatures drop below freezing, Dahlia Blaze tubers cannot remain in the ground and must be dug up for winter storage. This process begins after the first hard frost has caused the foliage to blacken, usually around October or November. Carefully dig around the plant, lifting the entire clump of tubers. After lifting, remove excess soil and cut the stems back to about 4-6 inches.
The tubers then need a curing period of a few days in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area to allow the skin to toughen. Once cured, store the tubers in a cool, dark, and dry location, ideally between 40-50°F (4-10°C). They can be stored in boxes or crates, nestled in a medium like peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings. Checking on them periodically throughout winter for any signs of rot or shriveling.
Addressing Common Dahlia Blaze Challenges
A lack of blooms in Dahlia Blaze is often attributed to insufficient sunlight or excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes foliage over flowers. Ensuring the plant receives at least six hours of direct sun and using a balanced fertilizer helps. Pests like aphids, slugs, and earwigs may target young shoots and flowers. Aphids are dislodged with a strong spray of water or treated with insecticidal soap.
Slugs and earwigs are managed with traps or by hand-picking them from the plants, particularly in the evening. Fungal diseases, like powdery mildew, appear in humid conditions, characterized by a white, powdery coating on leaves. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering reduce its occurrence. If present, affected leaves are removed, and a fungicide is applied as a last resort.