Dahlia Exotique

Plant your dahlias in the springtime in deeply worked and enriched soil, for example, with blood, fish and bone. Place your tuber and crumble the soil well to fill without air pockets. Your dahlia should be covered with 6 cm (2in) of soil. At the end of planting, pour one litre of water. Water regularly for the first six weeks to aid in rooting. Dahlias are sensitive to cold. They need to be overwintered. In November, the first frosts will blacken the foliage; that's the time to dig them up. Carefully remove the tubers. Remove as much soil as possible. Let the foliage dry so that the tuber can replenish its reserves. Cut the stems to 10 cm (4in) from the tuber when the foliage is dry. Spread your bulbs in a box of newspaper. Store away from freezing temperatures in a dry, cool and dark place.