BAG DAH. THOMAS A. EDISON

Planting Dahlia ‘Thomas A. Edison’

• Plant overview: Dahlia ‘Thomas A. Edison’ is a classic decorative dahlia, producing large, velvety blooms in rich deep purple. Strong, upright growth and bold colouring make it a favourite for borders, feature planting, and cut flower gardens. It is a tender perennial grown from tubers.

• When to plant:

  • Start tubers indoors from March to early April in pots to encourage early growth.

  • Plant outdoors from late April to May, once all risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

• Site selection:

  • Choose a sunny, sheltered position with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

  • Shelter from strong winds is important to protect tall stems and heavy flower heads.

• Soil preparation:

  • Dahlias thrive in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.

  • Improve planting areas with generous amounts of well-rotted compost or organic matter.

  • Avoid poorly drained or compacted soils, as tubers are prone to rotting.

• Planting depth and spacing:

  • Plant tubers 10–15cm deep, with the growing eye positioned just below the soil surface.

  • Space plants 45–60cm apart to allow for bushy growth and good air circulation.

• Container planting:

  • Suitable for large, heavy containers with excellent drainage.

  • Use a rich, free-draining compost and position containers in a stable, sheltered location.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water well after planting to settle the soil.

  • Keep soil consistently moist during the growing season, particularly once buds begin to form.

  • During dry periods, deep and regular watering is essential.

• Feeding:

  • Begin feeding once plants are growing strongly.

  • Apply a high-potassium liquid fertiliser every 10–14 days to support strong stems and abundant flowering.

• Staking and support:

  • Dahlia ‘Thomas A. Edison’ produces large, heavy blooms and requires sturdy staking.

  • Insert canes or supports at planting time to avoid disturbing the tubers later.

• Pinching and disbudding:

  • Pinch out the main growing tip when plants reach 30–40cm tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowering stems.

  • For fewer but larger blooms, remove some side buds and allow selected flowers to develop fully.

• Mulching and weed control:

  • Apply a mulch around the base of plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure.

  • Keep the surrounding area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

• Pests and diseases:

  • Watch for slugs, snails, aphids, and earwigs, which can damage young shoots and flowers.

  • Good spacing and airflow help reduce the risk of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.

Flowering, Lifting, and Winter Storage

• Flowering period:

  • Dahlia ‘Thomas A. Edison’ flowers from mid-summer until the first autumn frosts, providing months of bold colour.

  • Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming.

• Cut flower use:

  • Excellent for cutting, with strong stems and long-lasting blooms.

  • Harvest flowers early in the morning or late evening when blooms are fully open.

• Deadheading:

  • Remove faded flowers promptly by cutting back to a healthy pair of leaves.

  • This directs energy into producing new flower buds rather than seed.

• After flowering:

  • Once frost blackens the foliage, cut stems back to 10–15cm.

  • Leave tubers in the ground for a few days to allow skins to toughen before lifting.

• Lifting tubers:

  • Carefully lift tubers with a fork, taking care not to damage the necks.

  • Shake off excess soil and allow tubers to dry in a frost-free, well-ventilated place.

• Winter storage:

  • Store tubers in trays or boxes filled with dry compost, sand, or peat-free material.

  • Keep in a cool, dark, frost-free environment throughout winter.

• Overwintering in mild areas:

  • In very mild, free-draining soils, tubers may survive outdoors with a thick mulch, though lifting is the safest option.

• Replanting:

  • Replant stored tubers the following spring once frost risk has passed.

Dahlia ‘Thomas A. Edison’ is a timeless and dependable variety, rewarding good soil preparation, regular feeding, and careful winter storage with dramatic, richly coloured blooms throughout the summer and early autumn

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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