Star's Favourite Dahlia Plant

The award-winning Cactus Dahlia, 'Star's Favourite', showcasing soft pink flowers that fade to an ivory center. Its elongated petals, reminiscent of a cactus, curve elegantly, ensuring resilience even after rain. With long stems ideal for cut arrangements and a captivating color blend, it's a standout choice for gardens and bouquets alike.

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