Garden Paradise

Gladiolus beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:54:00 +0000

Botanical Name: Gladiolus nanus

Description: Very pretty! Nymph produces flower stalks with loosely arranged satiny white blossoms with red lipstick markings on three of the six petals. Also very hardy. Given a little winter protection, plants will reappear next spring. Nymph grows 20 to 25 inches tall, blooms July into August. Elegant cut flowers.

Mandevilla For Gardena

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:51:00 +0000

How To Grow Mandevilla

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:43:00 +0000

Plant madevillas in full sun or partial shade in a prepared container. Full sun is best for flower production. Provide well-drained, sandy soil amended with humus. Being a climber, this vine can be trained on a trellis or frame.

Pinch the stems of small plants to produce a bushier look and water consistently for adequate moisture.

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer at regular intervals during the summer.

Keep the plant outside until the nights begin to cool down in the fall. At this time use a liquid fertilizer with a high phosphorus content. Wait about 3 weeks, then prune the vine to 1 foot above the soil line.

Bring inside to a sunny area and cut back on watering, letting the soil stay a little dry. Don't look for much growth during the winter. You are just trying to maintain the plant. Move it back outside in the spring after freeze danger is over.

Take cuttings in summer and dust the stems with rooting hormone to start new plants. They will root within a few weeks and be ready to grow in a container.

Summer Snow Mandevilla

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Sun Parasol Crimson Mandevilla

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:20:00 +0000

Vendela

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:40:00 +0000

Ivory in color. A large head is supported by a medium to long stem length.

How to maintain Bougainvillea bonsai

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:10:00 +0000

A Bougainvillea bonsai is a quaint and unique item. You can keep it in your balcony or study corner, or your living room if you like. This decorative item adds a dramatic ambiance wherever you place it. A bonsai generally does not have flowers but a Bougainvillea bonsai with its color and beauty is surely going to mesmerize you with its exclusivity and beauty.

It is important that you take care of your plant because without maintaining the health of the miniature plant it won't survive long. You need to take care about issues like styling, feeding, lighting, temperature and potting and re-potting. These factors all help to determine the health of your Bougainvillea.

Temperature

The Bougainvillea tree is tropical in nature and needs adequate sunlight. But you should be careful so that your bonsai does not get sunburn. This will ruin the freshness of your tree. 49-54 degree F is the ideal temperature in which the Bougainvillea bonsai is kept either indoor or outdoor.

Watering

The bonsai does not need constant watering. It is generally kept dry most of the season. But only for the period of flowering a greater amount of water is required so that it can have enhanced results. So ensure that it gets water during the required time period.

Fertilization

Bougainvillea fertilizer is available in the market depending on the soil type. The fertilizer should be rich in magnesium, iron and phosphorus. So buy the correct fertilizer from the market for your bonsai.

Pruning

Regular pruning is required for your bonsai. Bougainvillea pruning has a unique style. You can cut during anytime of the year. But preferably you can do it every month so that you can promote a bushy growth. You can cut down the branches a little bit if you feel that they have overgrown. Besides the branches, you can prune the branches also and by doing so you can start making smaller bonsais. You can even prune it to shift it in a larger pot with the help of the Bougainvillea potting soil.

Taking care of your Bougainvillea bonsai is very easy if you follow some basic ground rules. You just have to be careful and pay some attention to this extensively grown tropical vine. Put in some effort in taking care of your bonsai and you will be amazed by the beauty and rush of colors you will get to see.

Pitunia My Favourite

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:09:00 +0000

Growing Gerberas

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:19:00 +0000

Growing Gerberas can be a problem for many people but this is not because of the plant. When you have difficulty trying to grow a Gerbera plant in your flower garden or container it is usually because the plant has not been given the type of soil and growing conditions it requires.

The large leaves and prolific flowering help make the vibrant Gerbera one of the most loved flower varieties in the world. These make wonderful cut flower specimens and this is another reason for their continued popularity.

It is important to put Gerberas in a location where it can get at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight. If you do not provide enough light to these plants they will not thrive and you will notice that they will offer few blooms.

Although Gerberas must have sunshine you will need to offer them protection against the rays from the harsher afternoon sun. This is why so many people have difficulty establishing these plants in the outdoor garden setting. Choose a prime location for these plants that lets them receive the morning sun and provides some shelter during the afternoon. An east facing location will be ideal. Some people also discover that growing Gerberas in front of some taller plants will provide them with the shade they need during the afternoon.

Try using fertilizers with higher phosphorous and potassium ratios that are made specifically for flowering plant varieties. Water soluble fertilizers are ideal and this will allow you to feed your Gerberas on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule.

Never over-water a Gerbera plant because the roots are delicate and too much water can cause root rot or other fungi and molds to develop.

If you want to keep your Gerberas at their peak of perfection you can inspect them frequently to make sure that aphids or red spider mites are not attacking your plants. Either of these insects can destroy your flowers. Your plant can survive most aphid infestations but not those that result from red spider mites. A little misting of water on the leaves and flowers when the humidity is low can help ward off these invading creatures.

Allium as a cut flower

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 10:59:00 +0000

Allium is a cut flower that blooms into a globe shaped cluster of flowers at the end of a long stem. The size of allium flower ranges from one to twelve inches. It could be purple white or green in color but purple one is the most popular. This plant belongs to the onion family but it doesn't smell much. If a stem or a leaf is crushed, it could emit a slight aroma.

Out of all varieties of allium flower, the most popular is the Allium gigantum which is a large flower of purple color. Being the largest of all varieties, the flower cluster of this variety could grow up to produce a flower head of around six inches in diameter. These flowers have a vase life of around three weeks when left in water. The stem of this variety could be around 40 inches long.

As it belongs to the onion family, its thick leaves begin to go brown when the allium flower blooms. It is a good idea to grow allium among plants that last long as they could hide the brown colored leaves. Butterflies like allium flowers, but the plant is disliked by many animals that come to your garden such as the mice and chipmunks. Even the deer won't eat it.

As the alliums bloom in early spring, they are some of the flowers that could come to your vase early in spring. As it lasts three weeks in your vase, allium is a good flower to add color to your vase.

Organic Rose Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:16:00 +0000

More and more rose lovers enjoy organic rose gardening these days. Roses have been around for so many years, way before man started inventing inorganic chemicals. Back then, roses were able to grow just as well as they do now, maybe even better. By going back to using organic methods of raising rose plants, your roses will have a longer life span and you will also be saving your family and your pets from dangerous and toxic chemicals.

Before the dawn of man made inventions, nature did a fine job growing plants and sustaining wildlife. After man started to think of "better" ways to get things done, it led to the imbalance of the natural elements. The normal way that plants grow is by absorbing the water and nutrients from the soil with their roots. Their leaves achieve photosynthesis - the transformation of sunlight and water to energy.

Soil has organisms like worms, bacteria, and fungi growing in it. These organisms are responsible for decaying the dead materials and turning them into soil enriches. When you use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, you are destroying the organisms that naturally live in the soil. You are causing harm to the innate relationship between the soil and the plant. When helpful bacteria are removed from the soil, you are exposing your rose plants to harmful ones that can cause their destruction. Your roses can also become addicted to these chemicals and become dependent on them.

Organic rose gardening is quite easy and actually a lot more inexpensive than traditional way of growing roses. It only involves eliminating the use of pest control and chemical fertilizers. Aside from this, everything is pretty much done the same way. You feed the soil and maintain the plant the same way you normally do.

There are certain soils that need the help of fertilizers. What you can do is to grow a compost heap and put this in the soil. It is easy to start; you just collect dried leaves, plant and grass clippings, animal waste, and even things from your kitchen like fish heads and fruit peels. Put them all together and let them decompose. This can be very useful in your organic rose garden if you allow them to decompose properly.

Organic rose gardening does not use chemical pest control, but this does not leave you helpless against harmful insects that can eat their way through your plants. Instead of harmful insecticides, you can use wasps and lady bugs that prey on the pests. You can also use birds, frogs, snakes, and lizards for this purpose. If they do not work, you can always turn to organic pesticides.

Try doing some organic rose gardening, and you will be on your way to producing the best and the most wonderful-smelling blooms around.

How to Make Organic Compost

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:32:00 +0000

Urban agriculture has gained a lot of interest from urban dwellers over the years. This is why a lot of people are starting to make their very own mini farms right at their own backyards. As we all know, plants and produce need a lot of nutrients to grow beautifully. Usually fertilizers are used to supply the produce with the essential nutrients that it needs. But according to studies and environmentalists, chemical based fertilizers are bad for both the plant and the consumers of the produce. That is why it is really better to use organic fertilizers such as composts to aid the growth of the plants. So if you're planning to make your own urban farm, let me share to you how to make an organic compost that you could use.

The first thing that you have to do is to buy a compost bin. This bin should have a cover that is tightly fitted to help keep seal and maintain the moisture in the soil. Next, poke, or better yet, drill about 10 holes the bin so that air could still penetrate. You drill holes either on the sides of the bin or the bottom of the bin. Next, put used papers or newspapers or dry leaves that fell from your tree on the bottom of the bin until it is about one fourth full. Next, place soil from your garden on top of the first layer until the bin is about half full. Next, place the bin in a shaded area somewhere in your backyard. After that, you can now dump your food leftovers, papers, dead plants and basically other biodegradable stuff inside your compost bin. Stir it a bit until the soil has been incorporated with your biodegradable trash then spray it until it's moist. Note the word moist. After that, drill small holes on the cover of the compost bin. Then all you have to do after is to wait for about three to four months before you could use your very own organic compost.

How to grow Bonsai

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:42:00 +0000

Tendering a good Bonsai specious is a beautiful pastime that any one can practice at home without much strain or expense. If you are an ardent lover of Bonsai varieties of trees, it is time to learn the basics of making bonsai prior directly jumping into the field in a hurry. Knowledge about the suitable varieties, techniques of trimming the leaves and buds, fertilizing practices, watering and soil selection process are necessary for being a triumphant Bonsai nurturer.

Selection of plant

The basics of making bonsai begin at the moment when one person chooses the right specious of plant. It is a good piece of news for all cultivators that almost any variety of plants is suitable for this kind of amateur cultivation. However, most commonly the cultivators opt for plants such as Ficus, Figs, Cedar, Elm, Mango tree, Cedar and Jade plant. The seeds of plants are also useful in the making of Bonsai, besides the grafted and potted plants. It is advised to plant Bonsai plant in a pot that has at-least four-inch height and six- inch radius. Fix the plant inside the soil filled pot after pruning the roots angularly.

Selection of Soil

While trying the basics of making bonsai, one must put in special interest to select the apt variety of soil. It should not be too soak or too dry. Naturally fertile soil will be more useful comparing to that of varieties prepared by mixing number of fertilizers together. Prepare the soil by mixing 3 parts of a half burnt clay, 3 parts of leaf mould with two parts of coarse sand. Adding a handful of vermin compost or organic compost will be more fruitful. Applying a spoonful of fertilizer twice a month would be enough for easy growth. Cow manure can also be used during the process of nurturing.

Beware of pests

The attack of pests is common on the Bonsai variety of plants. However, proper care can thwart the attackers effectively. Pay special attention on spider mites which positively enjoy the low humidity indoor environment and spoiling your plant. Spider mites cannot be seen with the naked eye but their presence can be noticed by the appearance of cobwebs between the leaves. It can be solved by using ordinary insecticides. Fungus gnats are also found in and around the compost of bonsai. If the compost of the bonsai is found to be too wet all the time, consider a change in your watering practices. Fungus gnats are nearly always brought indoors when moss growing on the surface of the compost is not removed beforehand. Ensure sufficient fall of sunlight on the plant where ever you place it for attracting people.

Organic Vegetable Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:39:00 +0000

Whether you live in your own home and want to do organic vegetable gardening or if you live in a city apartment or condo, you can have your own organic garden. There are those that live in their own home and have a yard to plant their organic garden or those that live in the city can have a roof-top or balcony garden in raised beds.

When organic vegetable gardening remember how good it is for you and your family. When you purchase fruits and vegetables from the grocery store, you have no idea how much DDT or other pesticides are on the produce. You would not want your child to ingest these carcinogens and poisons. With organic vegetable gardening you know that your vegetables are safe and healthy for you and family.

To get started with organic vegetable gardening you need to purchase organic seeds. You may buy them at your local nursery or from a mail order. It is beneficial to start planting your seeds indoors as indoor seeds have a higher success rate. You will want to make sure you plant the seeds in soil that is kept at room temperature. Keep the seeds in a well lighted area. Do not give the seeds too much water. Once you see that your seeds have grown two leaves with more leaves on the way, you will need to plant them into a large biodegradable container. Space the plants at least two to three inches apart from each other.

You can get your organic soil ready. Organic soil consists of old fruits, vegetables, fish, coffee grounds, egg shells, etc., that you have been tossing out. Make sure you place the compost pile in an area that has not been treated previously with non-organic crops. If you only have areas where non-organic crops have been planted, make sure you work the unwanted chemicals out of the soil. Working the unwanted chemicals out of the soil may take you some time.

Once your compost is ready you can spread it in your garden two to three inches thick. Organic compost is wonderful for good drainage, growth and as a fertilizer.

Animals are good for organic vegetable gardening. Cows, sheep or goats will help you by weeding the crops, fertilizing and pest control. Chicken droppings will help your compost. Bugs are also good for organic vegetable gardening. Ladybugs will eat the pests that want to ruin your organic garden.

You will love the fact that organic vegetable gardening is cheaper than buying organic and non-organic vegetables from the grocery store. The natural process of organic gardening is actually less expensive as you do not have to buy expensive chemicals.

One will have peace of mind knowing that your beloved family is eating healthier vegetables than those in the grocery store with the toxic chemicals.

How to Grow Beets

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:09:00 +0000

Beets can have a double attraction for quite a few vegetable gardeners: They are easily grown, and basically you can eat the entire plant. Even though they are somewhat tolerant of heat, they will do best in cool climates, and they can also withstand cold weather short of severe freezing. Beets will mature quickly, between 55 to 70 days; they don't need much room and only require a minimum of care. There is one caution however - they won't do very well in extremely acid soil.

Growing Beets

Beets are a root crop with edible tops. When the plants are young and the leaves are tender, these beet greens are excellent in salads. As the plant grows older, the greens can be cooked as you would spinach. Their roots are even more versatile. They can be cooked fresh from the garden, you can store them in a cool place for winter use, you can make pickled beets or they are good for canning.

To prepare your soil for planting, you need to spade it well, approximately 8 inches in depth, and rake out any stones. If you have acid soil, work in some lime at least a week before planting. Wood ashes, which contain lime and potash, are a good source for reducing acidity. Before you begin to sow, apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer, roughly 1/2 pound for 25 feet of row.

Beets will germinate best and grow faster in cool weather, for this reason it is best to plant the seeds as soon as the ground is workable. In northern areas, where summers remain relatively cool, you can make succession plantings at possibly three-week intervals; this will ensure a continuous crop throughout the season. If your mid-summers are long and hot, your plantings need to be timed well so their maturity date will come before or after the seasonably hot temperatures, exceeding 80 degrees F, occur.

The seeded rows of beets should be spaced at least 14 inches apart, and the furrows should be about 1/2 inch deep. Sow the seeds, which are clusters of three or four seeds to a casing, at 1-inch intervals. The plants will come up in little clumps, and then you should thin them to one plant per inch when they reach about 2 inches tall. After 4 inches, thin down to four to six plants per foot.

For mid-summer plantings, the furrows should be about an inch deep; to reach the moisture in the soil, and then cover the seeds with leaf mold, or some other type of material that won't form a crust, water needs to run through the material.

Speedy growth and timely harvesting are key factors to tender, juicy beets. Slow growth comes from too little water, too few nutrients, or a weed infestation; this will also cause the roots to be tough and weedy. If fertilization was done before planting, you only need repeat it once again before harvesting. When seedlings are about 3 inches high, scatter some 5-10-5 fertilizer along each side of the row - roughly 5 ounces for every 10 feet. Then cover with a light mulch, straw, sawdust, or lawn clippings, to help conserve moisture and keep the weeds to a minimum. If the weeds persist, remove from each row by hand, and shallowly hoe between the rows so as not to injure the roots of the beets. Don't forget to water on a regular basis.

When to Apply Lime to Your Lawn

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:56:00 +0000

Before you know if you need to apply lime to your lawn, you need to know the pH level of your soil. The pH level will indicate whether your lawn soil is too acidic or alkaline. The pH level range from 1.0 to 14.0. A value of 1.0 indicate extreme acidity and a value of 14.0 indicates extreme alkaline. A desirable or balanced pH level is between 6.5 and 7.0. If your lawn soil has a pH level in this range, your grasses will grow healthily and there is less chance of weeds growing. If the pH level of your lawn soil is less than 6.5, it is acidic and you have to add lime to bring it back to balance.

In general, when there is an increase in rainfall, the acidity of your soil will also increase. Other factors that can cause acidity include irrigating with water that has a high acid content and decomposition of organic matter.

You can purchase a soil test kit from your nearest nursery or garden center to test your lawn soil pH. However, the test result will only tell you if your soil is acidic or alkaline. You will not know how much lime is required to bring the soil back to balance. A better alternative is to send a soil sample to a soil test lab for testing. You can look up the yellow pages to find one that is located in your vicinity. Once the soil test is completed by the lab, you will receive a report with an accurate analysis of your soil chemistry and composition. There should be a section in the report indicating the amount of lime you need to apply to your lawn.

There are a few type of lime available in the market. The most common type being pulverized limestone, which is relatively inexpensive. Another type is dolomitic limestone, which contain magnesium. This is used when the soil test indicates that your soil is low in magnesium. The more expensive type of lime is pelletized limestone, which is cleaner and easier to apply. When applying time, you should use a rototiller to work the lime into the soil for best result.

You can apply lime any time during the growing season but not when the grasses are wilted or frost covered. Do not apply fertilizer immediately after a lime application. Give the lime about two weeks to improve the soil before applying fertilizer. If you have a new lawn, you should apply the lime before planting any seed.

A soil test should be done every three to four years. Apply lime to your soil only when the test result indicates such necessity. Too much lime will cause your soil pH to go off balance, which will lead to other lawn problems. As long as you are able to maintain a balanced pH level for your soil, your lawn will have a easier time to grow healthily.

Walter Hardisty

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:08:00 +0000

Walter Hardisty Introduced in 1975. This dahlia is outstanding. The 11" snowy-white blossoms are quite prolific for a large dahlia. It has excellent stems and foliage. Exhibits well, having taken many awards in show. Bush height 4'. Late bloomer. Should do well in exhibition.

Dahlia Kelvin Floodlight

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:51:00 +0000

Enormous sized flowers in a rich golden hue. The extra-large flowers, measuring 9-11'' (22-27 cm) in diameter, are absolutely the biggest of all Dahlias. This magnificent variety needs plenty of space!Tall growing varieties are extremely effective in a large display against a wooded background or at the back of a wide border. These Dahlias have large flowers, producing up to 15 flowers per plant.

Pink promise

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:04:00 +0000

Class: Hybrid Tea

Plant Habit: Upright Grower
Stem Length: Long
Flower Color: Pink Blend
Bud Form: Long and high centered
Flower Form: Wide Spiraled
Flower Size: Large flower 5 inches in diameter
Petal Count: 25-30 wide petals
Foliage Color: Strong Dark Green Foliage
Hardiness: Not yet labeled
Fragrance: Highly fragrant
Disease Resistance: Excellent
Hybridizer: Jim Coiner

Pests & Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:16:00 +0000

SNAILS & SLUGS - They will begin eating your dahlias before they even show through the ground. Slugs and snails will eat the new sprouts, holes in the leaves, and they will even eat the stalk. We recommend slug and snail baiting 2 weeks after planting and continue to bait throughout the season.

SPIDER MITES - The most common predator to dahlias. Typically looks like your plant needs more water. Most plant will begin with yellow spots on the leaves and then the leaves will begin browning completely, working its way up the entire plant. Spider mites thrive in hot weather and can attack certain varieties, while not bothering others. We recommend preventatively spraying beginning in late July and continue to spray through September. Recommended sprays: Malathion (good for prevention, but does not work as well on infested plants), Bon-Neem, or any other Miticide or spray listing spider mites.

EARWIGS & CUCUMBER BEETLE (similar to a lady bug, but green instead of red) - They are mainly a nuisance, while eating many petals of the blooms, they are really not hurting the dahlia plant itself. They fly or crawl in daily and are very hard to control. Recommended sprays: Sevin Dust or Concentrate, Go West Meal, or any other chemical listed in helping with these insects.

GENERAL INSECTS - Recommended sprays: Orthene, Malathion, or Bon-Neem

MILDEW - Most commonly shows up in the fall. The leaves will begin to get a white powdery mildew or spots on the leaves. We do not believe that this is caused from over head watering, but rather weather temperatures and humidity. We recommend preventatively spraying before this issue arises, begin spraying in late July and continue through the fall. Recommended sprays: Daconil, Funginex, or Fung-onil.

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Fertilizer

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:16:00 +0000

Dahlias require a low nitrogen fertilizer, such as used for vegetables. We recommend high percentage potassium and phosphorus fertilizers such as a 5-10-10, 10-20-20, or 0-20-20. First applications should be within 30 days of planting and repeated again approx. 3-4 weeks later. One of the biggest mistakes made with dahlias is over feeding them. Avoid compost and high nitrogen water soluble types as they promote weak stems, small blooms, or no blooms, and tubers that rot or shrivel in storage.

Container Growing

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Container size should be no smaller than 12” x 12” per tuber. Use 2 parts garden soil, 1 part potting soil that has not been treated in any way. Water sparingly, overwatering to keep soil damp will result in rotting tubers in the pots. After plants are 12” high, potted dahlias will require extra watering and fertilizing to promote proper blooming.

Soil Preparation & Planting

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:10:00 +0000

Ground should be warm, well drained at planting, and in an open sunny location. If you have a heavier soil, add in sand, peat moss or bagged steer manure to lighten and loosen the soil texture for better drainage. Bone meal is ideal at planting time, put a small handful in the hole and work in well before planting tuber. PH level of your soil should be 6.5-7.0, slightly acidic. Do not amend dahlia beds with purchased top soils unless you are sure that it has not been treated in any way for weeds. Compost of any type should be avoided. Lay the tuber horizontally 4-6” deep, about 18” to 24” apart, and then cover with soil. Please wait to water until after the sprouts have appeared above the ground. The exception will be in hot climates, where they should be watered very lightly. Do not use bark dust or mulch to cover dahlias, as it does not allow the soil to warm up or tubers to sprout properly. This is a good time to apply snail and slug bait to protect the new sprouts.

When & Where to Plant Dahlias

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:09:00 +0000

For best results, dahlias should be planted from mid April through May for most areas. Ground temperature approx. 60 degrees. Dahlias need a sunny location to thrive. An area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight is best. Exception for hot climates, they will need morning sunlight, afternoon shade. Less sun equals taller plants and less blooms.

Cycus

noreply@blogger.com (Kuntal Debnath) — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:45:00 +0000