Dahlia

CROP TIME

From planting to harvest: 13 weeks.

PLANTING DENSITY

6 plants/ m2

PRE-PLANTING

Soil: Well drained, loose soil with no clusters with good aeration.

pH: 6.5 to 7.0

Netting: 3 levels.  Minimium 30 x 30 cm

IRRIGATION

Leaves should not get wet. Very susceptible to bacterias.   Use drip irrigation. Mantain humidity at field’s capacity when growing.

PINCH

Pinch when the plant gets 4 internodes leaving 3 internodes.

ADDITIONAL LIGTHNING

The plant can flower on short days, but it can also induce with longer days extending to 16 hours of light to regulate flower induction. Add additional lightning when planting.

TEMPERATURE

20-25⁰ C during the day.

Nights: 10 ⁰ C (minimum)

DISBUD

Disbud every stem by removing the lateral buds. Repeat the process several times. Flower quality can be affected if buds are left and harvest can be delayed. Use a 50% movable polishade. On very sunny days with high temperatures run the shade.

FERTILIZATION

A general fertilization formula can be the following:

N: 120 ppm

P: 40 ppm

K: 160 ppm

Ca: 120 ppm

Mg: 60 ppm

S: 50 ppm

Fe:2 ppm

Mn: 2.5 ppm

Cu, Zn and B: 0.2 ppm

HARVEST

Production starts between 13 and 14 weeks after planting. Harvest the flowers early in the morning. Harvest when flowers have opened 25% - 30%. When harvesting, the Garnet and Pink Quartz varieties leave three knots on the stem (in the portion of the stem that remains on the plant). For  the other varieties harvest them leaving two nodes.

POST-HARVEST TREATMENT

1.Make a dip of the base of the stem in Quick Dip solution for (3sg) seconds

2.Hydrate in Hydra Flor clear ultra (1cm/lt).  Mix well and add bulb 100 (0,3cm3 /lt).  Keep in this solution for 4 hours.

3.Place a water tube with flower food solution at the end of each stem: 1 envelope /LT of water. 

PESTS & DISEASES

•Virus; Bacteria Rottening; Mildew Powder

•Aphids; Thrips; Botrytis; Mites; Caterpillar