The ‘Embrace’ dahlia is a favored choice among gardeners due to its striking blooms. Successfully growing this cultivar involves understanding its specific needs throughout its life cycle, from planting to preparing it for winter dormancy.
Identifying Embrace Dahlia
The ‘Embrace’ Dahlia is distinguished by its unique bloom characteristics and growth habit. Its flowers are typically classified as a cactus or semi-cactus type, featuring quilled or spiked petals. The blooms display warm peach and apricot shades, sometimes appearing as soft orange, and generally measure between 4 to 6 inches across. This makes them suitable for various garden designs and cut flower arrangements.
‘Embrace’ Dahlia forms a strong, bushy, and clump-forming plant, typically reaching 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) tall. This moderate height makes it suitable for mixed herbaceous borders, garden beds, or patio pots. The plant’s structure is often complemented by maroon stems, adding visual interest.
Growing Embrace Dahlia
Cultivating ‘Embrace’ Dahlia for prolific blooms begins with site selection and soil preparation. Dahlias thrive in locations receiving ample sunlight, ideally a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sun daily. Well-drained, fertile soil is also important, as tubers are susceptible to rot in overly wet conditions. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is preferred.
Before planting, prepare the soil by amending it with organic matter like compost, aged manure, or peat moss. This enriches the soil and improves drainage, especially in heavier clay soils. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 10 to 12 inches. Plant after the last frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed consistently, typically around 60°F (15°C).
When planting ‘Embrace’ Dahlia tubers, place them 4 to 6 inches deep, horizontally with the “eye” facing upwards. Space individual tubers 12 to 18 inches apart for adequate air circulation and growth. Avoid watering tubers until the first green shoots emerge, as too much moisture before growth can lead to rot. Once established, consistent deep watering is necessary, aiming for about one inch per week, especially during dry periods.
Regular fertilization supports flowering. Once plants are actively growing, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10 or one with higher phosphorus and potassium, monthly. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of blooms. As plants mature, taller ‘Embrace’ Dahlias may require staking to prevent stems from bending or breaking under bloom weight.
Pinching the central growing tip when the plant reaches 6 to 12 inches tall encourages bushier growth and more flower stems. This redirects the plant’s energy into lateral branching, resulting in increased bloom production. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, throughout the flowering season prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production and encourages more flowers.
Protecting Tubers for Winter
In colder climates where the ground freezes, preparing ‘Embrace’ Dahlia tubers for winter dormancy ensures their survival and re-growth. Lift dahlia tubers after the first hard frost kills the plant’s foliage. Allowing tubers to remain in the ground for one to two weeks after this frost helps them mature for storage.
Once foliage succumbs to frost, carefully dig up the dahlia clumps, avoiding tuber damage. After lifting, gently shake off most clinging soil. Clean tubers thoroughly by rinsing with a hose or swishing in water to remove dirt, which can harbor rot-causing microorganisms during storage.
Following cleaning, tubers require a curing period to toughen their skins before storage. Place them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for several days to a few weeks, often upside down to drain moisture from hollow stems. Once cured, store tubers in a frost-free location with consistent temperatures between 40°F and 50°F (4°C and 10°C), and humidity around 70% to 90%. Pack them in a medium like peat moss, vermiculite, wood shavings, or sand to maintain moisture and protect them. Inspect stored tubers monthly, removing any showing signs of rot or shriveling to prevent spoilage.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
‘Embrace’ Dahlias can encounter various challenges. Pests like aphids, spider mites, slugs, and earwigs are common and can damage foliage and blooms. Regular inspection helps in early detection, and treatments like insecticidal soaps or neem oil can manage infestations. For slugs, organic repellents or manual removal can be effective.
Dahlias are susceptible to diseases. Powdery mildew, a white coating on leaves, and Botrytis (grey mold), which causes buds and stems to rot, are common fungal issues. Good air circulation and proper plant spacing help prevent these diseases. Viral issues, such as Dahlia Mosaic Virus, cause leaf distortion and mottling. Infected plants must be removed to prevent spread, as there is no cure.
Environmental factors can also stress ‘Embrace’ Dahlias. Wilting can occur from both underwatering, especially during hot, dry periods, and overwatering, which leads to tuber rot. Observe soil moisture and plant turgidity to adjust watering. Poor blooming might result from insufficient sunlight or a nutrient imbalance, often too much nitrogen promoting leafy growth over flowers. Addressing these conditions helps the plant flourish.