Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 4/24/2004

Question
Hi:  I live in western PA (15235) and the frosts are just about over. Day time temperatures are in the 60s, night time low 40s.
I'n a novis dahilia enthusiast: last spring I bought about 10 dahilia bulbs and planted them in late spring. They came up nicely and I had lots of colorful flowers in our front planter. On the advice of a neighbor I dug up the bulbs in late fall an to my surprise I found about 30 bulbs. I cleaned them off and put them in an open pan in a dark corner of the cellar. Now what do I do? I'de like to plant most of them back in the front planter, but since I don't have the directions that came with the bulbs, Im not sure how to re-plant them. How far apart should I put the bulbs? Thanks for any help
Ed
mfactor@thesafety.net

Answer
plant bedding dahlias (1-3 foot in height) about 1.5 foot apart. Plant them with the crown up or placed horizontal in the  ground. cover with 2" of soil.

Plant larger dahlias (3+ feet in height) about 3 foot apart. plant them horizontal in the ground covered with 3" of soil.