The ‘Dahlia Dynamite’ is a captivating decorative dahlia cultivar with striking bicolored blooms. Its flowers showcase a vibrant blend of red with creamy-white tips, creating a dynamic visual effect in any garden space. This cultivar often features dark purple-green foliage, which provides a dramatic backdrop to its vivid blossoms. Reaching 2 to 3 feet, ‘Dahlia Dynamite’ is a popular choice for its visual impact as a focal point in garden beds or containers. It blooms from mid to late summer, continuing its display until the first frost.
Planting Dahlia Dynamite Tubers
Site Selection and Soil Preparation
Selecting the proper planting site is important for ‘Dahlia Dynamite’ to flourish. These dahlias thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure robust growth and abundant blooms. A location sheltered from strong winds is also beneficial, protecting plants from damage.
Dahlias prefer fertile, humus-rich, and well-draining soil. Prepare the soil by digging 10 to 12 inches deep to loosen it and improve drainage. Amending the soil with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure enhances fertility and drainage, providing an optimal environment for tuber development.
Planting Depth and Spacing
‘Dahlia Dynamite’ tubers should be planted outdoors in late spring, after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches deep, placing the tuber horizontally with the “eye” or growth bud facing upwards for proper shoot emergence. Space tubers 12 to 18 inches apart for adequate air circulation and growth. After placing the tuber, gently backfill the hole with a few inches of soil. Initial watering should be light, just enough to dampen the soil, as overwatering before shoots appear can lead to tuber rot.
Ongoing Care for Thriving Blooms
Watering Needs
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Dahlia Dynamite’ once established. Deep watering, 8 to 10 inches into the soil, is more effective than frequent shallow watering, encouraging a robust root system. During dry periods, especially in hot weather, dahlias may require deep watering three to four times per week. Container-grown dahlias often need more frequent watering, sometimes daily, ensuring water drains from the bottom.
Fertilization
‘Dahlia Dynamite’ benefits from regular fertilization throughout the growing season to support continuous blooming. A low-nitrogen fertilizer, often called bloom food, is recommended. Fertilizers with NPK ratios like 5-10-10 or 10-20-20, higher in phosphorus and potassium, promote flower development over foliage growth. Apply fertilizer about 30 days after planting, then every three to four weeks for in-ground plants and every two to three weeks for container plants. Organic options like well-rotted cow manure can be incorporated into the soil at planting time or as a top dressing. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as too much nitrogen can result in lush green growth with reduced flower production.
Staking and Support
Given its height of up to 3 feet and abundant blooms, ‘Dahlia Dynamite’ often requires staking to prevent stems from breaking and keep plants upright. The best time to install support is at planting, placing stakes about 3 inches away from the tuber to avoid damage. Various staking methods include individual stakes made from wood, bamboo, or metal rods. For larger plantings, the “corral method” involves placing sturdy posts at intervals and stringing twine around plants at multiple heights as they grow, providing collective support and maintaining an orderly display. Tie stems to stakes with soft ties or twine as the plant matures to prevent flopping, especially in windy conditions or when blooms become heavy.
Deadheading for Continuous Blooms
Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, encourages continuous blooming throughout the season for ‘Dahlia Dynamite’. When old blooms are removed, the plant redirects energy from seed production to developing new flowers. This maintains the plant’s vigor and extends its flowering period. To deadhead effectively, cut the spent flower stem back to where it meets a leaf or a side shoot with a developing bud. Making clean cuts prevents disease entry and promotes healthy new growth. Regular deadheading, even every few days, ensures a prolonged and abundant floral display.
Pest and Disease Management
‘Dahlia Dynamite’, like other dahlias, can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Common pests include slugs, which damage young shoots, and earwigs, which feed on tender leaves and flower buds. Aphids, spider mites, and thrips also feed on plant sap and can transmit viruses. Regular inspection helps identify infestations early. Preventative measures include good garden hygiene and proper air circulation. Organic control methods, such as hand-picking slugs, using insecticidal soaps for aphids and spider mites, or applying organic repellents, can manage pest populations. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, may appear as a white powdery film on leaves, especially in dry conditions or with poor air circulation. Improving air flow, avoiding late-day overhead watering, and removing affected leaves can help mitigate this issue.
Overwintering Dahlia Dynamite Tubers
When and How to Dig
In colder climates (zones 3-7), ‘Dahlia Dynamite’ tubers are not frost-hardy and must be dug up and stored indoors before winter. The optimal time to dig is after the first hard frost blackens the foliage, signaling dormancy. Allowing tubers to remain in the ground for one to two weeks after this frost helps them cure and toughen their skins for storage. Before digging, cut the plant stems back to about 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Carefully loosen soil around the tubers using a garden fork, starting about a foot away from the central stem to avoid damaging delicate tubers. Gently lift the entire clump from the soil.
Cleaning and Curing
Once dug, gently brush off excess soil from tuber clumps. Some gardeners wash tubers thoroughly with a hose to remove all remaining dirt, which helps prevent rot during storage. After cleaning, allow tubers to dry and cure for a few days in a cool, dark, frost-free location, away from direct sunlight. This curing process seals any minor wounds and reduces moisture, preparing them for long-term storage.
Storage Conditions
Store ‘Dahlia Dynamite’ tubers in a cool, dry, dark location where temperatures remain consistently between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4-10 degrees Celsius). An unheated basement or cool garage often works well, ensuring the temperature does not drop below freezing, as frozen tubers will rot. Tubers can be stored in ventilated containers like cardboard boxes, mesh bags, or plastic tubs, layered with slightly moist peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings. The storage medium helps maintain consistent humidity and prevents tubers from drying out or becoming too wet. Periodically check stored tubers throughout winter for signs of rot or shriveling, making adjustments to humidity or removing affected tubers as needed.