The ‘Extase’ dahlia is a popular choice for gardens, offering a vibrant display. Its visual appeal and prolific blooming make it a sought-after addition, transforming outdoor spaces with abundant flowers and vivid color.
Distinctive Features of Extase Dahlia
The ‘Extase’ dahlia stands out with its unique aesthetic qualities. Its double flowers typically range from 3 to 6 inches in diameter. The color palette blends glowing pink, salmon, and apricot, sometimes with yellow highlights, creating a warm, tropical appearance.
Classified as a decorative dahlia, it features full, chrysanthemum-like blooms. ‘Extase’ dahlias generally bloom from mid-summer until the first frost, providing extended color. Plants usually reach 18 to 24 inches tall and about 22 inches wide, suitable for borders or containers.
Essential Growing Conditions
Successful cultivation of ‘Extase’ dahlias requires specific environmental conditions. These plants thrive in full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and abundant flowering. In hot climates, afternoon shade can protect blooms from intense heat.
Dahlias prefer rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost improves drainage and aeration, as tubers are susceptible to rot in waterlogged conditions. Consistent soil moisture is important throughout the growing season, but avoid overwatering, especially immediately after planting.
Plant tubers after the last spring frost, when soil temperatures warm to at least 50-60°F (10-15°C), typically between mid-April and mid-May. Plant ‘Extase’ dahlia tubers 1 to 2 inches deep and space them 12 to 18 inches apart for proper growth and air circulation.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once ‘Extase’ dahlias are established, consistent care encourages vigorous growth and continuous blooms. Fertilize every three to four weeks throughout the growing season. Use a higher nitrogen fertilizer early on for foliage development, then switch to a lower nitrogen formula, such as a 5-10-10 N-P-K ratio, once plants begin to bud. This promotes flowering rather than excessive leafy growth, as excess nitrogen can lead to lush foliage but fewer flowers.
Staking is often necessary for taller dahlia varieties to prevent their hollow and brittle stems from breaking, especially during windy conditions or with heavy blooms. Place stakes (bamboo, wood, or rebar) near the plant at planting time or shortly after. As the plant grows, tie the main stems loosely to the stake for support.
Pinch the central stem of young dahlia plants when they reach about 10-12 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowering stems. This redirects the plant’s energy to multiple lateral branches, resulting in a more robust plant with increased bloom production.
Deadheading, the removal of spent blooms, is equally important for continuous flowering. Snipping off faded flowers redirects energy away from seed production and towards developing new buds, extending the blooming season until frost.
Winter Dormancy and Storage
In colder climates (below USDA Hardiness Zone 8), ‘Extase’ dahlia tubers are not winter-hardy and must be lifted for storage. Dig tubers after the first hard frost blackens the foliage, signaling dormancy.
After carefully digging up the clumps, gently shake off excess soil. Rinse the tubers to remove remaining dirt, then allow them to cure for several days in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. This curing process helps prevent rot during storage.
Once dry, store tubers in a cool, dark, and dry location (40-50°F / 4-10°C), such as an unheated basement or garage. Place tubers in a container layered with an absorbent medium like peat moss or vermiculite to maintain humidity and prevent desiccation or rot. Periodically check stored tubers throughout winter and remove any showing signs of rot. In spring, about 4-6 weeks before the last frost, tubers can be prepared for replanting.
Common Challenges and Solutions
‘Extase’ dahlias can encounter common challenges affecting their health and bloom production. Pests like aphids, spider mites, slugs, earwigs, and thrips are frequent visitors. Aphids and spider mites can be managed with insecticidal soaps or neem oil, while slugs and earwigs can be deterred with organic repellents or hand-picking. Regularly inspecting plants and maintaining a clean garden area helps prevent infestations.
Dahlias are also susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew, which appears as a white substance on leaves, and various viral issues. Powdery mildew thrives in humid conditions and can be addressed by improving air circulation, avoiding overhead watering late in the day, and applying fungicides if necessary. Viral issues often result in distorted leaves or stunted growth and are typically spread by insects; remove affected plants to prevent further spread.
Lack of blooms can be caused by insufficient sunlight (less than 6 hours per day), leading to leggy growth and reduced flowering. Over-fertilization with nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers, can also hinder blooming; adjust to a lower-nitrogen fertilizer during the blooming phase. Inconsistent watering or planting tubers too early in cold, wet soil can stress the plant and delay or prevent flowering. Consistent moisture and proper planting timing are important for vigorous bloom production.