| Storage Temperature: 36 - 38 F |
| Ethylene Sensitive: No |
| Description: Dahlias consist of numerous hybrids
and cultivars and a wide variety of shapes, textures and sizes, ranging from round to ball
shaped, and daisy to pinwheel shaped. |
| Colors: Wide range of colors. |
| Botanical Facts: The dahlias was named after the
Swedish botanist Dr. Anders Dahl. (1751 - 1789) |
| Design Notes: Dahlias are a rare and wonderful
treat for floral designers looking for different and exotic blossoms. Large
blossom flowers add mass and accent. Smaller blossom flowers are excellent fillers. |
| Purchasing Hints: Dahlias are not commonly
available on the commercial market due to the difficulty of conditioning and shipping.
Normally, dahlias are purchased directly from a grower. Purchase when the
blossoms are open and undamaged. The foliage should be turgid and full of water. |
| Conditioning: While Dahlias are wonderful
blossoms, many designers avoid them because they wilt quickly after being harvested.
Dahlias can have a long vase life if they are conditioned properly. Remove all
foliage that will be below the water line. Cut under water with a sharp knife. Add
four inches of boiling water to tall vase, and immediately place the cut ends into the hot
water. Protect the blossoms from the steam by wrapping a towel around the top of the
vase. Allow the Dahlias to set in this hot water vase until the water cools completely.
Then move to a solution of water and commercial floral preservative / floral food. |
| Additional Notes: The vase life of Dahlias
varies greatly by species and cultivar. Always test the vase life of a new variety
before using it in floral design. |
