Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’ is a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add vibrant color and elegance to their landscape. This cultivar belongs to the renowned ‘Gallery’ series, known for its compact size and abundant blooms, making it well-suited for various garden settings.
What is Dahlia Gallery Art Deco
Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’ displays warm hues like orange, peach, apricot, pink, or yellow. Blooms measure 4 to 6 inches across and are categorized as decorative dahlias. Petals are semi-double to double, creating a lush, full appearance, sometimes with ruffled or pointed tips. Its compact height of 18 to 24 inches makes it ideal for borders or containers.
Planting Dahlia Gallery Art Deco
Plant tubers outdoors after the last frost, once the soil has warmed. Choose a site with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth and abundant flowering. Well-draining soil is essential, as dahlias are susceptible to rot in waterlogged conditions.
Before planting, enriching the soil with compost or well-rotted manure improves drainage and provides nutrients. Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches deep for each tuber. Place the tuber horizontally with the “eye” facing upwards. Cover with 2 to 3 inches of soil. Avoid immediate watering; wait until sprouts emerge to prevent tuber rot.
Care and Maintenance
Consistent care helps Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’ produce striking blooms. Once established, deep water 2-3 times per week, especially during dry spells. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings to encourage healthy root development. Begin fertilization once the plant has several sets of leaves (3-4 inches of new shoots).
Apply a low-nitrogen, balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-10 or 10-20-20) every three to four weeks from mid-summer to early autumn. Excess nitrogen can promote foliage over flowers. Staking is often necessary to support stems, especially for larger blooms or windy conditions. Place stakes at planting time to avoid damaging tubers.
Regular deadheading (removing spent blooms) encourages continuous flowering. Removing spent flowers redirects the plant’s energy from seed production to producing more blooms, extending the display. Pinching the main stem at 10-12 inches encourages bushier growth and more flowers.
Overwintering Dahlia Gallery Art Deco
In freezing climates, lift and store Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’ tubers to protect them from frost. Dig tubers after the first hard frost blackens foliage, signaling starch transfer to tubers. Allow tubers to remain in the ground for one to two weeks after foliage dies to cure.
Carefully dig around the plant with a fork, then gently lift the clump to avoid damaging tubers. Remove excess soil; some wash tubers, others leave a thin layer. Dry and cure tubers in a cool, dark, dry place with good air circulation for a few days to a week. Once cured, store tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free location (40-50°F / 4-10°C) with 75-90% humidity. Store in cardboard boxes or plastic containers, layered with peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to maintain moisture and prevent shriveling. Inspect tubers monthly for rot or shriveling, removing affected ones to prevent spread.
Common Problems and Solutions
Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’ can encounter common garden issues. Slugs and snails damage young foliage, leaving irregular holes. Manage them by handpicking, using copper barriers, or applying organic repellents. Aphids cluster on new growth, causing yellowing and stunted development. Treat with insecticidal soaps or neem oil. Spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing stippled leaves and fine webbing. Control with regular water sprays or neem oil.
Powdery mildew appears as a white coating on leaves and stems. Prevent it with good air circulation and by avoiding overhead watering. Prune affected areas, or apply fungicides or baking soda sprays. Botrytis (gray mold) causes brown, rotting spots on flowers and leaves. Prevent with proper sanitation and increased air circulation. Viral infections cause mottled or distorted leaves; remove infected plants to prevent spread.