Dahlia Contraste

The 'Contraste' Dahlia enjoys sunny spots in your garden. Place it in regular, humus-rich, sandy, fairly fertile, and well-drained soil. Plant the bulbs at a depth of 10 cm (4in), spaced 40 cm (16in) apart. Planting should take place after the last frost, from May to June. You can provide nitrogen-rich fertilizer until the end of June, and then switch to potassium-rich fertilizer from July to October. These fertilizations should be done once a week and will help extend the flowering period. After planting, water regularly at the base, preferably in the evening, avoiding wetting the foliage. Watering is essential during hot periods. Regularly remove faded flowers. After flowering, store the bulbs in a dry and well-ventilated place, preferably in sand and protected from rodents. A cellar is an ideal location. Before storing them, leave a few leaves in place so that the bulb can replenish its nutrient reserves and wait until the leaves turn yellow. You can replant them in spring.