Evening star., 1950-04-02
D0hli0 Fans
Start Tubers
ForCuttings
BY Wilbur H. Younomon
Garden Editor

National Capital Dahlia Society's
fall show, to be held September
% and "a at the Botanic Garden,
focuses attention upon this snowy
fall flower.
Many dahlia fans are now start
ing their dormant tubers into
growth so that they may take cut
tingS from the new shoots which
will then be rooted in sand In
this way rapid multiplication of
new varieties is possible without
waiting for normal tuber growth.
Most gardeners purchase tuber
which is then planted in May or
early June. Many growers delay
planting so that the flowers will
mature in the cool fall weather
Others plant as soon as the ground
is warm so as to have a long
Towering period.
Keep Piece of Stalk Attached.
The single tuber planted in the
spring usually multipIies and
when dug may have grown to
three to Is tubers all firmly at
tached to the stalk. The problem
of dividing this "clump" in the
spring often puzzles the beginner
and in disgust he may plant the
entire lot in one hole. OF course,
this results in great many stalks
appearing and proper develop
ment is impossible. The preferred
way is to divide the clump leaving
a small piece of the stalk attached
to each tuber because the "eyes"
or buds are on the stalk. A tuber
without the piece of.stalk is value
less.
Inasmuch as the stalk is hard
and tough and the tuber is sue
culent and brittle, many growers
prefer to wait until the buds begin
to swell before cutting. Even then
some tubers are lost unless the
gardener is an expert. That is
generally small matter, for the
average clump will produce more
tubers than many gardeners can
provide space for.
How to Proceed With Planting.
AS indicated, planting begins
with warm weather and warm
ground. The dahlia is a tender
plant from Mexico. Each tuber
is planted in well-prepared soil.
After digging the hole, which |
should be to 8 inches deep, a
stout stake 6 to feet long is
firmly driven into the ground. The
larger growing varieties should be
spaced feet apart, the smaller
ones 2 feet. The dormant tubers
are then placed with the bud near
the stake. Each tuber is covered
to a depth of 2 inches and the
remainder of the fill is made after
the new shoots appear above the
ground.
In addition to the fertilizer
mixed into the soil at planting
time. many growers give addi-
tional feelings in June and July.
Watering. stalking and cultivat-
ing are needed for the production
Of the finest blooms. Dahlias, be-
ing very succulent. must be sup
ported by careful tying to the
stakes. otherwise they may be
broken by strong winds.
Use of DDT on Borer.
Local growers are now using
DOT to control the dahlia borer,
the European corn-borer and
other pests, with good success.
DDT, however, does not control
the red spider mite and various
remedies for this universal pest |
are being tried A per cent
parathion dust looks promising
but before trying this material the
grower should be equipped with
protective mask. HETP is effec-
tive on some kinds of red spiders. |
Sulphur dust is the remedy used
by many. although where only
few dahaias are grown the garden
hose may be used. An occasional
blast of water will often control
the mites.
If healthy plants or roots are
obtained in the beginning. the
home gardener is unlikely to be
troubled by disease. Mildew is
fairly commonplace in the late
fall and while seldom injurious is
unSightly. 1t NAV be controlled
with dusting sulphur.
Gardeners interested in con-
tacting the Society should call L.
M. Clarke, president: c. L. Ar
mentrout, vice president; Mrs. S.
o. Hatfield. recording secretary or
Mrs, G. E. Dodrill, corresponding
secretary. Meetings are held on
the second Thursday of each
month in Room 43, National Mu-
scum doth and Constitution)
0A0 AsJ