Dahlia Café Au Lait

Dahlias are children of the sun. For abundant flowering, choose a fully sunny location where the plant will get sun for most of the day. The spot should also be protected from strong winds that could break the tall stems. The soil should be loose, humus-rich, and well-drained so the tubers do not rot in wet conditions.

Growing in a container is possible, but given the size of 'Café Au Lait', it has its challenges. You will need a truly large and stable pot (volume of at least 20–30 liters) with good drainage. Keep in mind that the plant dries out faster in a container and will require more frequent watering and fertilizing. You must also ensure very solid support so that the pot with the tall plant does not tip over.

Yes, it is practically made for it! It is one of the most popular flowers for wedding bouquets and large arrangements. Ideally, cut the flowers in the morning when they are full of water. Choose blooms that are almost fully open, as Dahlia buds do not open much further in a vase. They look very majestic in a vase and stay fresh for a long time.

The biggest enemies of Dahlias are slugs and snails, which can destroy young sprouting shoots overnight. It is necessary to collect them regularly or use barriers or organic pellets. Other pests include aphids and thrips, which can damage the flowers. If they appear, a strong stream of water or an oil or soap-based spray will help.

Mosaic virus manifests as irregular yellow-green spots or patterns on the leaves, leaf deformation, and overall stunting of the plant. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this viral disease. If you observe such symptoms, you must immediately dig up the entire plant, including the tuber, and dispose of it (do not put it in the compost!) to prevent the infection from spreading to other Dahlias.

The good news is that Dahlias, including the 'Café Au Lait' variety, are not considered toxic to dogs, cats, or humans. If your dog accidentally chews on the leaves or digs up a tuber, it should not cause serious issues, although consuming a large amount of plant material can always irritate the stomach.

That is one of the magical qualities of this variety. The flower color is very variable and unstable. It ranges from creamy white, through a 'café au lait' shade (beige), to powdery pink with a hint of salmon. The coloration can be influenced by temperature, the stage of flowering, and soil composition. Towards the end of the season, when it gets cooler, the flowers often become more saturated and pinker.

Watering should be regular but moderate. The soil should not be permanently waterlogged, as the tubers are prone to rot. On hot summer days, water more generously, ideally early in the morning or in the evening directly to the roots, not on the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases. Immediately after planting, until the first shoots appear, water very sparingly.

When planting, dig a hole roughly 10 to 15 cm deep. Place the tuber inside so that the remnant of last year's stem (the crown/neck) points upwards and the root tubers point downwards. The crown should be covered by about a 5 cm layer of soil. Do not forget to maintain a spacing of 30–50 cm between individual plants, because 'Café Au Lait' is a massive variety and needs space around it for air circulation.

Dahlia tubers are very sensitive to frost, so do not rush to plant them outdoors. The ideal time is the second half of May, specifically after the 'Ice Saints' (mid-May), when there is no longer a risk of ground frosts. The soil should already be warmed up. If you want them to bloom earlier, you can start them in pots indoors or in a greenhouse from March, but only plant them outside once it is safe.

When planting, you can mix mature compost or organic fertilizer (e.g., horn meal) into the soil. During leaf growth, the plant appreciates nitrogen fertilizer, but as soon as it starts to bud (July), reduce nitrogen and switch to fertilizers with a higher content of phosphorus and potassium. This will support the formation of large, sturdy flowers and help the tubers mature better before winter.

No, this Dahlia is not frost-hardy and would not survive winter outdoors in our climate. As soon as the first autumn frosts burn the foliage (the leaves turn black), you must carefully dig up the tubers. Clean off the soil, let them dry, and store them in a frost-free, dark, and dry room (such as a cellar) at a temperature around 5–8 °C, ideally buried in sawdust, peat, or sand.

Definitely yes! 'Café Au Lait' grows to a height of 80 to 160 cm and its flowers are huge and heavy (often up to 20 cm in diameter). Without support, the plant would easily break under the weight of the blooms or during strong wind and rain. We recommend driving a sturdy stake next to the tuber right at the time of planting to avoid damaging the roots later, and tying the plant to it as it grows.

Starting them indoors is a way to get Dahlias to bloom earlier. You can begin in March. Plant the tubers in pots with well-draining soil and place them in a bright spot with a temperature around 15–18 °C. Water moderately. The plants will develop a root system and send out shoots. However, only plant them outside in the second half of May, once the risk of frost has passed. You will gain a head start on flowering by several weeks.

Pinching is a great trick for more abundant flowering and a sturdier plant. It is highly recommended for the 'Café Au Lait' variety. This is done when the plant is about 20–30 cm tall – simply pinch off the central shoot above the 3rd or 4th pair of leaves. This encourages the plant to branch out, producing more stems and ultimately resulting in many more flowers.

The simplest method is dividing the tuber clumps in spring before planting. Carefully divide the clump using a sharp knife. It is crucial that each separated piece of tuber has a section of last year's stem with the so-called crown, where the eyes (buds) are located. Without an eye, the tuber will not sprout. Allow the cut surfaces to dry before planting to prevent rotting.