The Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlia is a tuberous perennial native to Mexico and Central America. It offers a unique bloom structure and color, providing continuous flowers from mid-summer until the first frost. This dahlia is a popular choice for its lasting beauty in garden spaces.
Understanding Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlia
The Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlia is a Dinnerplate Dahlia, known for its large, fully double blooms. These flowers measure 8 inches across. Petals are predominantly white, accented with soft lilac or purple tips, which can sometimes appear to have subtle blue undertones. This unique coloration and size make it a popular choice for cut flower arrangements and garden displays. The plant grows to a height of 40 to 48 inches with strong, straight stems.
Growing Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlia
Cultivating Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias requires attention to environmental factors and cultural practices. Meeting their needs for location, light, water, and nutrients ensures vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Proper support and routine maintenance are also important during the growing season.
Planting Location and Soil
Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias thrive in well-drained soil. They tolerate acidic, clay, loamy, and sandy soils, provided drainage is adequate. An ideal soil pH for dahlias falls between 6.0 and 7.5. Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure improves soil structure and provides essential nutrients. Plant tubers about 2 inches deep and 24 inches apart.
Sunlight Requirements
Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias require full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, to produce large blooms. While they tolerate light shade, full sun promotes vigorous growth and prolific flowering. In regions with intense afternoon sun, gardeners may opt for an eastern exposure to prevent scorching of leaves and blooms.
Watering Practices
Once established, Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias need regular, deep watering, about 1 inch per week. During hot, dry periods, increase frequency to two or three deep waterings weekly, or daily for container plants. Water at the soil level, avoiding foliage to prevent disease. Do not overwater tubers immediately after planting; water once if soil is dry, then wait for shoots to emerge before regular watering.
Fertilizing
Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias benefit from a low-nitrogen fertilizer that promotes flower production over foliage. Fertilizers with higher phosphorus and potassium are suitable, such as those with ratios like 2-4-4, 5-10-10, or 8-16-16. A single annual application of processed cow or steer manure can enrich the soil. Apply commercial fertilizers about 30 days after planting and every 3 to 4 weeks throughout the growing season.
Staking and Support
Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias, with their height of up to 48 inches and large blooms, require staking to prevent their hollow, brittle stems from breaking. Stake at or shortly after planting to avoid damaging tubers. Place individual stakes about 3 inches from the central stem. As the plant grows, tie stems to the stake every 10 to 12 inches. For multiple plants, a corral method using posts and twine provides collective support.
Deadheading
Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, encourages continuous blooming and maintains plant vigor for Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias. When a flower fades, the plant directs energy into seed production. Removing spent blooms redirects energy to produce more flowers. To deadhead, trace the faded flower’s stem to where it meets healthy leaves or a new bud, and make a clean cut just above this point.
Winter Care and Tuber Storage
In colder climates (USDA Zones 3-8), Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlia tubers are not hardy and must be dug up and stored indoors for winter. This prevents rot and ensures they survive for replanting the following spring. After the first light frost blackens foliage, cut stems back to 4-6 inches above ground. Dig around the plant, lifting the entire tuber clump.
Shake off excess soil. Allow tubers to air dry for a few days until the skin is cured; this prevents rot during storage. Store dried tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free location, ideally 40-50°F (4-10°C). Use storage mediums like dry peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings in cardboard boxes or plastic containers to maintain moisture and prevent shriveling. Check tubers periodically for rot or excessive drying.
Propagating Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlia
Propagating Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias is achieved through tuber division, which increases plant stock for subsequent growing seasons. This is done in early spring, just before planting. Each division must contain at least one “eye” (a small bud on the tuber) and a piece of the tuber itself.
Separate tubers from the main clump, ensuring each section has a visible eye. Use a clean, sharp knife or pruners. After division, allow cut surfaces to air dry and callous before planting. This helps prevent rot once tubers are in the soil.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Hapet Blue Eyes Dahlias can encounter pests and diseases that impact growth and bloom production. Timely intervention is important for maintaining plant health.
Slugs and snails are common pests targeting new dahlia shoots and leaves. Barriers like crushed eggshells or organic slug repellents deter them. Aphids, small sap-sucking insects, cause distorted leaves and stunted growth. Manage them with insecticidal soaps, neem oil sprays, or by introducing natural predators like ladybugs. Earwigs damage leaves and flower buds; keeping the area tidy by removing spent flowers and debris reduces their presence.
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew appear as white growth on leaves, often due to humidity and poor air circulation. Improving air circulation by pruning lower leaves and avoiding overhead watering helps. A baking soda and water solution can be sprayed. Viruses cause stunted growth or discolored foliage; remove and destroy infected plants to prevent spread, and sanitize tools.