The ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia is a captivating garden addition. Its substantial blooms create a striking display, drawing gardener interest.
Understanding ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia
The ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia features large, impressive blooms, often dinnerplate or formal decorative forms. Flowers reach 8 to 10 inches in diameter. They blend white, ivory, and soft pink hues, sometimes with raspberry blush or cherry-red brushstrokes. The bushy plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall, blooming mid-summer until frost.
Planting ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
Cultivation begins with selecting a planting site. Plants thrive in full sun, needing six to eight hours daily. Soil must be well-draining; tubers rot in waterlogged conditions. Amending heavy clay soils with compost improves drainage and provides nutrients.
Plant ‘Ice Cube’ dahlia tubers in spring, after frost danger and when soil temperatures exceed 50°F (10°C). Plant tubers horizontally with the ‘eye’ upwards, 4 to 6 inches deep. Space tubers 18 to 24 inches apart for air circulation. Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil.
Caring for ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias during active growth, especially in dry spells. Deep watering two to three times weekly promotes deeper root development. Avoid overwatering, which causes tuber rot. Dahlias thrive in full sun; afternoon shade may prevent wilting in hotter climates.
Apply balanced granular fertilizer every three to four weeks once plants establish. Choose higher phosphorus to encourage blooming, avoiding excessive nitrogen that promotes leafy growth. ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias produce large blooms and reach 3 to 4 feet, so staking is necessary. This prevents stems from bending or breaking under flower weight or strong winds. Regularly deadhead spent blooms by cutting the stem back to a set of leaves or a branching point; this encourages more flowers.
Overwintering ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
In colder climates, ‘Ice Cube’ dahlia tubers are lifted and stored for winter. This occurs after hard frost blackens foliage, signaling dormancy. Carefully dig around the plant, lifting the tuber clump without damage.
After digging, remove excess soil and air dry tubers in a cool, well-ventilated area for several days to a week. Curing toughens the skin, reducing rot risk during storage. Store cured tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free location, ideally 40-50°F (4-10°C). Pack them in peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to maintain humidity and prevent desiccation. Periodically check stored tubers for shriveling or rot, adjusting conditions for spring replanting.
The ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia is a captivating garden addition. Its substantial blooms create a striking display, drawing gardener interest.
Understanding ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia
The ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia features large, impressive blooms, often dinnerplate or formal decorative forms. Flowers reach 8 to 10 inches in diameter. They blend white, ivory, and soft pink hues, sometimes with raspberry blush or cherry-red brushstrokes. The bushy plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall, blooming mid-summer until frost.
Planting ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
Cultivation begins with selecting a planting site. Plants thrive in full sun, needing six to eight hours daily. Soil must be well-draining; tubers rot in waterlogged conditions. Amending heavy clay soils with compost improves drainage and provides nutrients.
Plant ‘Ice Cube’ dahlia tubers in spring, after frost danger and when soil temperatures exceed 50°F (10°C). Plant tubers horizontally with the ‘eye’ upwards, 4 to 6 inches deep. Space tubers 18 to 24 inches apart for air circulation. Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil.
Caring for ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias during active growth, especially in dry spells. Deep watering two to three times weekly promotes deeper root development. Avoid overwatering, which causes tuber rot. Dahlias thrive in full sun; afternoon shade may prevent wilting in hotter climates.
Apply balanced granular fertilizer every three to four weeks once plants establish. Choose higher phosphorus to encourage blooming, avoiding excessive nitrogen that promotes leafy growth. ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias produce large blooms and reach 3 to 4 feet, so staking is necessary. This prevents stems from bending or breaking under flower weight or strong winds. Regularly deadhead spent blooms by cutting the stem back to a set of leaves or a branching point; this encourages more flowers.
Overwintering ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
In colder climates, ‘Ice Cube’ dahlia tubers are lifted and stored for winter. This occurs after hard frost blackens foliage, signaling dormancy. Carefully dig around the plant, lifting the tuber clump without damage.
After digging, remove excess soil and air dry tubers in a cool, well-ventilated area for several days to a week. Curing toughens the skin, reducing rot risk during storage. Store cured tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free location, ideally 40-50°F (4-10°C). Pack them in peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to maintain humidity and prevent desiccation. Periodically check stored tubers for shriveling or rot, adjusting conditions for spring replanting.
The ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia is a captivating garden addition. Its substantial blooms create a striking display, drawing gardener interest.
Understanding ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia
The ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlia features large, impressive blooms, often dinnerplate or formal decorative forms. Flowers reach 8 to 10 inches in diameter. They blend white, ivory, and soft pink hues, sometimes with raspberry blush or cherry-red brushstrokes. The bushy plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall, blooming mid-summer until frost.
Planting ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
Cultivation begins with selecting a planting site. Plants thrive in full sun, needing six to eight hours daily. Soil must be well-draining; tubers rot in waterlogged conditions. Amending heavy clay soils with compost improves drainage and provides nutrients.
Plant ‘Ice Cube’ dahlia tubers in spring, after frost danger and when soil temperatures exceed 50°F (10°C). Plant tubers horizontally with the ‘eye’ upwards, 4 to 6 inches deep. Space tubers 18 to 24 inches apart for air circulation. Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil.
Caring for ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias during active growth, especially in dry spells. Deep watering two to three times weekly promotes deeper root development. Avoid overwatering, which causes tuber rot. Dahlias thrive in full sun; afternoon shade may prevent wilting in hotter climates.
Apply balanced granular fertilizer every three to four weeks once plants establish. Choose higher phosphorus to encourage blooming, avoiding excessive nitrogen that promotes leafy growth. ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias produce large blooms and reach 3 to 4 feet, so staking is necessary. This prevents stems from bending or breaking under flower weight or strong winds. Regularly deadhead spent blooms by cutting the stem back to a set of leaves or a branching point; this encourages more flowers.
Overwintering ‘Ice Cube’ Dahlias
In colder climates, ‘Ice Cube’ dahlia tubers are lifted and stored for winter. This occurs after hard frost blackens foliage, signaling dormancy. Carefully dig around the plant, lifting the tuber clump without damage.
After digging, remove excess soil and air dry tubers in a cool, well-ventilated area for several days to a week. Curing toughens the skin, reducing rot risk during storage. Store cured tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free location, ideally 40-50°F (4-10°C). Pack them in peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to maintain humidity and prevent desiccation. Periodically check stored tubers for shriveling or rot, adjusting conditions for spring replanting.