Dahlia Evanah

This variety loves sunny spots, where it will produce the most buds. The soil should be humus-rich and well-drained.

Regarding watering, dahlias prefer moderate moisture (medium requirements), but they are very sensitive to overwatering, which could cause the tubers to rot. Therefore, the substrate should never sit in water for long periods.

The 'Evanah' Dahlia is absolutely fantastic for cutting and is widely used in romantic wedding bouquets, for example. Harvest the flowers early in the morning or late in the evening.

• Cut them when they are about three-quarters open (they will not open any further in a vase).
• Check the petals on the back of the flower – they must be firm and fresh.
• Immediately after cutting, immerse the ends of the stems in hot water (70–80 °C) for 15 minutes.
• Thanks to this trick, they will stay beautiful in a vase for about a week.

Yes, we highly recommend pinching! As soon as the young plant has developed a few pairs of true leaves, pinch or snip off its main growing tip with sharp scissors.

This will cause the plant to branch out profusely. The result will be a slightly shorter bush, but it will reward you with stronger stems and a much larger quantity of magnificent dusty pink flowers.

No, Dahlias are not frost-hardy and would not survive the winter in our soil. The season ends with the arrival of the first autumn frosts, which burn the above-ground part of the plant. That is the time for winterizing the tubers.

Carefully dig them out of the ground, clean off any soil residues, and let them dry. Then, store them in a frost-free, dark, and cool room. It is best to place them in a breathable crate and cover them with dry sawdust or sand.

It is ideal to divide nutrition into two phases:

1. At the beginning of growth: Support the plant with a fertilizer higher in nitrogen (pelleted poultry manure is excellent, for example) to help it create strong stems and lush foliage.
2. When buds are forming: Once the first buds begin to appear, switch to a fertilizer high in potassium and phosphorus (e.g., Kristalon Fruit and Flower). In this phase, nitrogen would only support leaf production at the expense of flowers.

Definitely! If you want earlier flowering, you can start pre-cultivating the tubers in pots as early as March.

Place the pot in a bright, frost-free location at room temperature. Keep the substrate slightly moist, but not waterlogged. Only transplant the plant outdoors once all risk of spring frost has reliably passed.

We plant tubers outdoors only when there is no longer a risk of ground frost, which is ideally during May to June.

• Plant the tuber into a prepared hole at a depth of 10 to 15 cm.
• It is important to place it horizontally with the eye facing upward.
• Then cover it with soil so that there is about 5 cm of soil above the crown.
• Don't forget to maintain a spacing of 30 to 50 cm (1 to 4 plants fit in one square meter) so that each Dahlia has enough room for lush growth.

The 'Evanah' Dahlia grows quite vigorously and reaches a height of 80 to 160 cm. Additionally, it produces medium-sized flowers with a diameter of about 12 cm. For this reason, support is absolutely essential.

It is ideal to stake the plant with sturdy posts or rods and tie the stems to them gradually with string. This will protect it from breaking in strong winds or under the weight of its own flowers after rain.

Dividing tubers is one of the easiest methods of propagation. It is carried out in the spring just before planting. Carefully divide older, large clumps of tubers using a sharp tool.

The golden rule is: Each separated piece of tuber must have a 'neck' with an 'eye' (bud) from which a new plant will grow. The 'potato' part alone without an eye will not sprout. Allow the cut surfaces to air-dry before planting or treat them with charcoal dust to prevent rot.

Taking cuttings is a great way to propagate, starting as early as February or March. Plant the tubers lightly in the substrate and place them in a bright, warm spot (20+ °C). They will wake to life in about 4–6 weeks.

Once the new shoots grow to a length of 5–8 cm and have at least two pairs of true leaves, cut them off with a sharp knife. Remove the lower leaves (leave only the top pair), dip the end of the cutting into a powdered rooting hormone, and plant it into a seed tray with light substrate. Mist the cuttings regularly until they take root.

This could be a mosaic virus or an infestation of small sap-sucking insects, such as thrips.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for mosaic virus (often manifested by yellow-green marbling of the leaves), and the infected plant must be dug up and disposed of as soon as possible to prevent the spread of the infection. You can treat thrips with a suitable spray. Always ensure that the flower bed has sufficient airflow.

Unfortunately, yes, slugs and snails absolutely love young Dahlia shoots and can destroy a plant overnight. The most effective defense is early and regular hand-picking during the damp morning or evening hours.

Mechanical barriers around the seedlings, beer traps, or using eco-friendly slug pellets (for example, those based on iron phosphate), which are safe for hedgehogs and pets, also work great.

Container growing is possible, but for the 'Evanah' variety, you must consider its size. Since it reaches 80 to 160 cm, it will need a very large and heavy pot (a volume of at least 20–30 liters) so it doesn't tip over, as well as stable support for the stems.

In a container, the substrate also dries out and loses nutrients much faster, so be prepared for much more frequent watering and regular fertilizing than when growing in open ground.