Dahlia

 Dahlia. This is the first time I have ever planted dahlias. I selected the bedding size plants for my first go around. I don't know if it is just by the luck of the draw but this is also the first time I have had a serious whitefly problem. The only plants infested are the dahlias. The good

news is the flowers are doing just fine, the leaves are affected but I guess not serious enough to cause much harm at this time. I did spray with a home-made soap and oil concoction.

The colors of the dahlia are vibrant and my photos do not do them justice. You can find dahlias in red, orange, yellow, pink, burgundy, purple and white. The plant likes full sun and enjoys the coolness of early fall. The tall selection (they can be up to 6 feet) need staking which should be placed in the ground when you plant as not to harm the tubers. If you fertilize use a low nitrogen formula such as 6-12-12. Too  much nitrogen will make the stems weak. Note the larger selections are planted from tubers that are packaged like bulbs. They are specific about how they are planted and directions should come with the purchase of the tubers. Dahlias are considered perennial in zones 4 to 10 but care needs to be given to the tubers during the cold. You could probably save your bedding size plant tubers but that would seem a lot of trouble for the price of new plants. I will choose new if I plant them again.