Mystic Illusion Dahlia Plant

Mystic Illusion Dahlia Plant offers showy, star-shaped, lemon-yellow flowers that appear to jump right off its dark foliage. Plants are heat tolerant and resistant to powdery mildew, and removing finished flowers promotes continuous blooms! They make fantastic thrillers in combination containers, and morning sun / afternoon shade works best in warmer climates. This award winner will give your other plants an inferiority complex!

Planting Instructions:

• - Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow room for growth

Soil Preparation:

• - Ideal soil pH: 6.5-7.0, prefers well-drained, fertile soil
• - Enrich soil with compost or well-rotted manure to boost nutrient levels

Watering Specifics:

• - Wait until green sprouts emerge from the soil before watering
• - Then water deeply 2-3 times per week, and daily if plants are in containers

Fertilizer Type:

• - Use fertilizers with a lower nitrogen count; half the amount of nitrogen relative to phosphorus and potassium (lower N on NPK ratio)
• - Fertilize every 2-3 weeks for containers and every 3-4 weeks for soil grown plants

Pruning and Training:

• - Pinch back the main shoot to encourage branching and more flowers
• - Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering

Additional Pest Management:

• - Inspect regularly for pests like aphids, slugs, and snails
• - Employ barriers or appropriate organic pesticides to manage pest problems

Overwintering:

• - After frost has turned the foliage brown, dig up tubers and store them over the winter
• - Clean tubers and let them dry for a few days in a frost-free location, then store in cool, dry place in slightly moist peat moss or sand

Temperature Tolerance:

• - Protect plants from early frosts with mulch or fleece covers to extend the flowering season