Dahlia Harlequin Mix ( Dahlia x hybrida ) is a beautiful annual flower that produces mix of coloured blooms. This particular variety grows bi-coloured flowers that include scarlet, yellow, red, orange and magenta. Harlequin is also a bit shorter than other Dahlias which makes them an early bloomer. They enjoy warmer temperatures and can be grown either in pots or in directly into the garden. Dahlias can often bloom continuously throughout the warmer months.
Suitable for Temperate, Sub Tropical and Tropical climates.
Dahlias are grown in all corners of Australia and make beautiful border plants.
Growth
Dahlia Harlequin Mix is an annual flower that reaches up to 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). The best time to start Dahlias is around the Melbourne Cup (early November) when they grow quickly and avoid blooming during the heat of summer. In warmer climates they can be started in Late Winter or Summer and can sometimes bloom all year round. Regular watering and fertiliser is a staple for Dahlias if wanting to produce a lot of flowers.
Dahlias respond well to a balanced fertiliser such as cow or chicken manure but if that’s not available. Choose a fertiliser that is doesn’t have more than 8 as its Nitrogen content. High levels of Nitrogen encourages rapid and strong growth for stems, leaves and tubers but also reduces the number of blooms. When preparing for shows, seasoned gardeners will include Iron and Potash sulphate in their fortnightly feeds.
Quite often Dahlia plants will require a support such as a stake or trellis to cater for their strong growth.
FAMILY:
Asteraceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
12 to 40°C / 53 to 104°F as an annual will die off during winter, but will self seed if allowed and grow back each year.
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full sun, prefers morning sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 30 cm (12 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 45 cm (18 inches)
pH:
6.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual, although can grow all year in warmer climates.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Bee. Hand pollination can create new varieties.
MATURITY:
8-12 weeks
GERMINATION RATES:
91%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-12 days
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 110
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT DAHLIA HARLEQUIN MIX
Dahlia petals and tubers were eaten by ancient Aztec civilizations as vegetables and was also used to produce a form of antibiotic.
Native to Mexico, the first European to report about Dahlias was Spainard Francisco Hernandez in 1525. Hernandez described the plant as a water pipe in reference to their long hollow stems. From thereon a long and fascinating history ensued for this popular modern annual. Once the Dahlia arrived in Europe it took just 30 years to have over 300 varieties growing across the continent.
In Scotland, an extraordinary prize of 2000 pounds (1846) was offered to anyone who could produce a blue dahlia flower. As of 2020, this is yet to be achieved.
