Dahlia ‘Redskin’ is a visually appealing plant that adds a striking presence to garden spaces. Gardeners value this variety for its distinctive appearance and vibrant blooms, making it a popular choice for adding color and texture. Its reliable flowering and unique characteristics contribute to its widespread appeal. Cultivating ‘Dahlia Redskin’ can be a rewarding experience for enhancing any landscape.
Unique Characteristics of Dahlia Redskin
‘Dahlia Redskin’ stands out due to its distinct visual features. Its dark, bronze-purple foliage offers a strong contrast against its flowers, providing a deep, almost black backdrop that makes the blooms vivid.
The flowers are single or semi-double, presenting a simpler, more open form than complex, multi-petaled dahlias. Blooms appear in warm shades, including vibrant oranges, reds, yellows, and pinks. This contrast between bright flowers and dark foliage creates a striking display. ‘Dahlia Redskin’ maintains a compact growth habit, reaching 18 to 20 inches (45-50 cm), making it suitable for various garden applications.
Planting and Growing Dahlia Redskin
Successful ‘Dahlia Redskin’ cultivation starts with site selection and soil preparation. These plants need full sun, at least six hours daily, for strong growth and flowering. Well-draining soil is essential, as tubers rot in overly wet conditions.
Before planting, enrich the soil with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure and nutrient content. Plant tubers after the last frost, once soil temperature is above 60°F (15°C). Dig a 4 to 6-inch (10-15 cm) deep hole and place the tuber horizontally with the “eye” facing upwards. Space tubers 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) apart for air circulation and growth.
Ongoing Care for Dahlia Redskin
Once ‘Dahlia Redskin’ plants are established and showing green shoots, consistent watering is necessary. Avoid overwatering before sprouts emerge, as this can lead to tuber rot. Throughout the growing season, especially during hot periods, water plants a few times a week to maintain moisture.
Fertilization supports growth and flowering; use a low-nitrogen formula (such as 5-10-10 or 5-10-15). Apply fertilizer every three to four weeks, starting about 30 days after planting. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, encourages more flowers rather than seed production.
Monitor for common garden pests like aphids, slugs, and spider mites; manage these with insecticidal soaps or by encouraging natural predators. Adequate air circulation helps prevent fungal issues like powdery mildew, which can be addressed by removing affected leaves or applying treatments.
Winter Dormancy and Tuber Storage
In regions with cold, freezing winters, ‘Dahlia Redskin’ tubers need to be lifted and stored indoors. The best time is after the first hard frost, when the plant enters dormancy and foliage dies back. Carefully dig around the plant, lifting the tuber clump with a garden fork to minimize damage.
After lifting, gently shake off excess soil. Some gardeners wash them, while others leave the soil on. Allow tubers to cure for one to two days in a warm, dry location.
Store cured tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free environment, ideally between 38-50°F (4-10°C), with 75-85% relative humidity. Packing them in materials like peat moss, vermiculite, or crates with some dirt helps maintain conditions until the next planting season.