The dahlia has a flower head that is actually a composite with both central disc florets and surrounding ray florets. Each floret is a flower in its own right, but is often incorrectly described as a petal. Flower forms are variable, with one head per stem; these can be as small as 5 cm (2 in) diameter. The stems are leafy. The majority of species do not produce scented flowers and are brightly colored, displaying most hues, with the exception of blue.
Species: Dahlia spp.
Origin: Mexico, Central America, Colombia
Symbolizes: Named after Swedish botanist Anders Dahl (1751-1789) Dahlias are known to symbolize elegance, inner strength, change, creativity, and dignity.
Also Known As: The Aztecs referred to Dahlia as "cocoxochitl"
Care, Handling & Design
Temperature: 34-38F (1-3C) for short duration of 3-5 days. Storage for longer durations can reduce vase life by 20-30%.
Water: Medium water quality, avoid softened water.
Vase Life: 4-10 days
What to Look for When Purchasing
Flowers should be fully open; Do not use flowers that have been stored for a long period of time (more than 5 days); watch for botrytis and insect damage to flowers and foliage.
Shorter flower life in foam than vase. Flowers susceptible to wilting. Make sure flowers are well hydrated before using in foam design. Make sure foam is kept well hydrated.
When designing with Dahlias be sure to give stems a fresh cut. Arranged in a vase you will need to change the water every couple of days with a fresh cut to keep hydrated.
Pest & Disease Information
Botrytis. Use anti-Pathogen Transport Paper sheets during shipping and storage. Flower thrips cause flecking on petals; spider mites and virus can cause distorted yellow foliage.
Relatively short vase life, avoid storing for long durations in cooler; flowers are considered to have "dirty" stems and are difficult to hydrate. Flowers have hollow stems and are prone to wilting. Store/transport flowers wet.
For optimal care of Dahlia, please reference the chart of products below. Make sure to select your region to see which products are available.