Dahlia 'Firepot'

Dahlias can have issues with slugs, aphids, capsid bugs, earwigs or powdery mildew. To defend against powdery mildew, space the plants out adequately to allow for good air circulation so the leaves don't become too crowded and humid. For slugs and snails, keep the area around the plant debris free and as dry as possible, especially at night as slugs and snails love damp conditions. You can use barriers such as egg shells or copper wire to surround the plant to prevent slugs and snails reaching the leaves. For aphids, check the leaves regularly for any possible infestation. If you see some, pick the bugs off with your hands and spray the infected area with some soapy water. You can also plant a companion plant nearby, such as Marigolds, which will attract predatory insects such as ladybirds that will eat the aphids. MORE

Water well especially during hot and dry periods. It is best to water Dahlias once a week deeply. However, if the plant looks distressed during prolonged hot periods you may want to water more often.

Dahlias should be planted somewhere they receive around 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day.

Mix plenty of organic matter such as garden compost into the soil before planting. If your soil is particularly clay-heavy and easily becomes waterlogged, add some perlite or gravel into the soil to improve drainage.

Apply a general purpose feed at the planting time. Then, from July to September feed every two weeks with a high-potash liquid feed such as tomato feed. ?v=1613300718