Will Dahlias Grow In Ericaceous Compost?

Written by Team Leafy in Composting Last Updated September 4, 2022
Will Dahlias Grow In Ericaceous Compost

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Do you want to cultivate dahlia flowers at home? Though they tend to be fairly easy to grow, you must ensure that you have the right type of compost.

So, will dahlias grow well in ericaceous compost?

Yes. Dahlias like slightly acidic soil, with an ideal pH of 6. Ericaceous compost can be applied to the garden to lower the pH of alkaline soil. If planning on planting directly into the compost, it’s best to mix in some general-purpose compost to lower the acidity a little. 

Dahlias are one of the most popular garden plants in the world. Once you have established them, they will be fairly hardy. Keep reading to learn more about the conditions that dahlias need to thrive. 

Is Ericaceous Compost Right For Dahlias? 

To understand whether ericaceous compost is a good idea, we need to know what soil pH level they prefer. This will allow us to see how the plant will cope with the low pH levels. 

In this case, dahlias tend to prefer soils that are close to neutral. However, they will be able to cope with a soil pH of 6Opens in a new tab..  Because dahlias will be able to tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, they should be able to tolerate the use of ericaceous compost.

Though it might be a good idea to test the pH, making sure that it doesn’t get too low.

If you are planning on planting the dahlia directly into the compost, you should mix it with general-purpose compost. This will allow you to limit how acidic the mix will become. 

When choosing the compost mix, here are some of the things you should be looking for:

  • High nutritional content. The primary purpose of compost is to add organic matter to the soil. Because of this, some people like to mix some manure into compost. Alternatively, you can add some slow-release fertilizer to the soil. 
  • Well-draining. Dahlias don’t like to be in waterlogged soil, as this can start to impact their growth. Because of this, you should get peat-free compost. You might also need to add some sand to the mix. In some cases, excessive soil moisture has been known to rot the plant. 
  • Lighter soil. Dahlias might struggle to grow in thick clay soil. You might want to mix in some sand or aged manure to help break up thicker soil. 

You might want to add some fertilizer to the soil to give the plants the nutrients they need to grow. When you are doing this, it’s best to avoid using something that has high nitrogen content.

Too much of this nutrient will force the plant to focus on the growth of new green shoots instead of producing beautiful flowers. 

What Are The Ideal Conditions For Growing Dahlias? 

Dahlias will require a part of the garden that gets full sun and has protection from the wind.  A stake can help stop the wind from blowing them over. Dahlias will need well-draining soils. They also thrive in a warmer environment and will have a low frost tolerance. 

Dahlias will require a lot of nutrients as they grow. Because of this, they will often benefit from a thick layer of compost. There are a few other things you should be looking for to grow a healthy dahlia. These elements include:

  • Pick a sunny spot. Dahlias don’t need to be kept in the sun all the time. But they will like to be in warm soil and won’t tolerate areas that are known for frost during the winter. 
  • Give them some shelter. Dahlias won’t do well if they are blown around in the high winds. Because of this, you might want to put them close to the house or a fence that can act as a wind block. 
  • Water carefully. Dahlias tend to be fairly resilient, so they will be able to survive a period without much water. As they are growing tubular, you should hold off watering the plant too often. This can risk rotting the tubular. Though you might need to check the ground during a dry spell. If there isn’t any moisture in the ground, you will need to give them a drink to make sure that they don’t dry out. 
  • Stake extra support. If you have a large tuber, you might want to stake it out. This will provide a little extra support, stopping it from getting knocked over in a strong wind. 

Adding soil moisture is important. It’s best to do this in the morning. This will make it harder for fungus spores to grow on leaves. If a fungal infection does occur, the leaf markings might change, ruining the beautiful blooms that dahlias have become known for.

If the fungus spreads, it might start to negatively impact the roots. If this occurs, the plant may die. 

It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the temperature. This is why many people that live in colder areas prefer to put their dahlias into pots. When the mercury gets too low, they will be able to bring the plant inside. 

How To Plant And Grow Dahlias? 

There are a few ways that you can grow dahlias. First, you might plant them in a container. In this case, you’ll need to follow these steps: 

  1. Prepare the dahlia. When you get a seedling from the nursery, you will need to leave it overnight to soak in water. This will allow the root system to get ready for a shift to a new home. 
  2. Prepare the pot. You can fill the pot with potting mix, then add a generous helping of ericaceous compost. You might want to put some rocks down the bottom of the pot to improve the drainage. 
  3. Add the dahlia to the pot. You’ll often need to plant it at a depth of 3.9 inches (10 centimetersOpens in a new tab.). Make sure to consider the orientation of the tubular. It should be facing outward, allowing it to catch the sunlight. Make sure to add some water. 
  4. Position the pot. Depending on how cold it is, you can place the pot outside. Make sure that it’s in a sunny location. 

If you decide you want to plant the dahlia in the soil, you’ll need to follow these steps: 

  1. Prepare the site. Before you start planting, you should get the area ready by mixing some manure into the ground. You can also add a general-purpose fertilizer to make sure that there are plenty of nutrients in the soil. 
  2. Plant the tubular. Again, you will need to make sure that it’s 3.9 inches (10 centimeters) deep. Since they have a deep root system, the plants should be two feetOpens in a new tab. (60 centimeters) apart. Again, the tubular should be just tall enough to stick out of the ground. Water the plants in. 
  3. Spread some mulch. You can add a thin layer of mulch. This keeps moisture within the soil. Plus, it can keep the dahlias warm during the start of spring, when some of the days can be a little chilly. 
  4. Protect. Lastly, you will need to make sure that there is no chance that bugs or other pests will get into your dahlias and destroy them. 

Final Thoughts

Dahlias are one of the most beautiful types of plants. Thankfully, they aren’t too fussy, so any gardener should be able to grow them.

You just need to be careful about the temperatures; you might need to take them inside if there is a risk of frost. They also need plenty of nutrients in the soil, which is why you might want to apply a liberal amount of ericaceous compost. 

Sources

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Hi! Thanks for reading our article, we hope you enjoyed it and helps make your garden grow greener. If you found this article helpful, please share it with a friend and spread the joy. Plant small. Grow big!

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