{"product_id":"bio-dahlia-akita","title":"Organic Dahlia 'Akita' 1+1","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOrganic decorative Dahlia 'Akita'\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDahlia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Akita'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a decorative dahlia with large, two-tone flowers. They combine deep, reddish tones with golden or orange edges, which gives a warm look. As the flower opens further, the colour changes to a more pink with yellow hue as can be seen in photo 4. The flowers can grow to around 20-25 centimetres in diameter. The 'Akita' can reach a height of around 100-120 centimetres, making it ideal for the middle or back of a border. A quality tuber from the Bloemoloog can produce 10 to 15 flowers per year, spread over 100 days. It flowers from mid-summer until the first frost. A true sea of flowers, even late in the year when much has already finished flowering and died.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow, where and when do I plant organic dahlia tubers?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIndoor\u0026nbsp;pre-growth\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cem\u003eDahlia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Akita' is not winter hardy. This means that the tubers can be\u0026nbsp;grown indoors from March. This gives them a head start in growth and the Dahlias will flower earlier. The plants can be put outside after the Ice Saints (15 May), or earlier if the weather is good, but watch out for night frost, then they will have to go back inside at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOutside in the garden\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you choose to wait to plant the dahlia tubers until after the frost, then this is best done up to and including May 15. From then on, the tubers can be planted in the ground without any risk of frost and will flower approximately 60-90 days later. Plant the dahlia tuber with its old flower stem from last year facing upwards, just 2 to 3 centimeters below the ground and keep a distance of half a meter from tuber to tuber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe planting season is until June.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLocation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dahlia prefers a sunny spot in nutrient-rich, water-permeable, preferably calcareous, sandy soil. \u003cbr\u003eThe flowers of the \u003cem\u003eDahlia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Akita' grow quite large. We recommend supporting the plant and planting it in a sheltered spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor pot planting it is best to use a pot that is at least 40 centimetres wide, so that it does not dry out too quickly in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDahlias topping\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTopping a dahlia is a technique to stimulate growth and make the plant more compact and full. Dahlias are topped when they have reached a certain height, usually when they are in the active growth stage. We recommend allowing at least 2 to 4 pairs of leaves to grow before topping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA leaf node is where a leaf is attached to the stem. Look at the top pairs of leaves on the stem. Use a sharp, clean pair of pruning shears and cut the stem just above a leaf node. Make sure to make a clean cut so as not to damage the plant. If there are flower buds below the topped spot, you can also remove them. This helps the plant to put more energy into developing side branches. After topping, the dahlia will begin to develop side branches from the leaf axils, resulting in a more floriferous plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCaring for the Dahlia 'Akita'\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the soil of the \u003cem\u003eDahlia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Akita' moist at all times. Too dry soil can cause problems in growth and flowering.\u003cbr\u003e During flowering, the faded flowers are removed for new flowering. When the plant has finished flowering in the fall, it is best to let it die completely, so that no water gets into the hollow flower stems when they are cut off, to prevent rotting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDahlias and nutrition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dahlia is a fast growing plant that can use a lot of nutrition. Feed the plant several times a year for an optimal result.\u003cbr\u003e For organic potting soil, plant food and other soil improvers we recommend\u003cspan\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bio-kultura.nl\/Overige-bodemverbetering\" title=\"Buy organic soil improvement at Bio Kultura\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBio Culture\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003eOn!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to do with dahlias in autumn?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProtect the tubers that are planted in the open ground with leaves in the winter against light frost. In case of severe frost they should be stored frost-free in a dry place. The advantage of digging out is that the tuber can be divided every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGiving back to nature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the fall, the remains of the dead plant can be cut off and processed into the soil for nutrition. In this way, you give back to nature and your green bin remains empty for vegetable waste from the kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePropagation of dahlia tubers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the autumn, the dahlia tubers continue to grow well. Do not remove the tubers from the ground too early for propagation. Just before the first frost is the best time. The tubers can be split immediately, but this can also be done in the spring. The advantage of splitting in the spring is that small growth points can already be seen in the spring. This makes it easy to recognize where the tuber can best be split.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEdible\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of the Dahlia 'Akita' is edible. The tuber tastes like carrots and the flower can be used to garnish a salad or as decoration in a carafe with water, to flavour the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigin of the dahlia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDahlias originate from Mexico and have been found in European gardens since 1615. They were originally grown as tubers for consumption, but after people discovered how beautiful they can be as ornamental plants, they became one of the most diverse plant species in the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuy Organic \u003cem\u003eDahlia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Akita'\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkal NL-BIO-01 certified: 109459\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndividually packed or choose a stacking discount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStacking discount:\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnfortunately sold out – Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on stock availability.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEU shipping €8.95 -\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003efrom €100 purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"ecwid-description-table\" style=\"font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlowering time:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJuly - October\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanting time:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrom May (or from March indoors)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanting depth:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 cm below ground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanting distance:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 cm apart\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeight:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 cm high\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlower diameter:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 cm wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLocation:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade, sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil PH:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLoam, sandy soil - Slightly acidic\/neutral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter hardiness:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot winter hardy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFamily:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsteraceae\u003c\/em\u003e (Asteraceae family)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColour:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed with yellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGroup:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDecorative\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBee friendly:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFragrant:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBulb size:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1st size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003ca title=\"Buy organic dahlia tubers from the Bloemoloog\" href=\"https:\/\/bloemoloog.nl\/en\/collections\/organic-dahlias\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOther dahlia varieties\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"106\" width=\"159\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/1607\/5608\/files\/EU_Organic_Logo_Colour_OuterLine_rgb.jpg?v=1730902844\" alt=\"Skal organic quality mark - NL-BIO-01\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNL-BIO-01\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bloemoloog","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53888950075736,"sku":"513","price":5.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/1607\/5608\/files\/BioDahlia_Akita_-BiologischeoranjerodedinnerplatedahliakopenBloemoloog.nl_2.webp?v=1742389055","url":"https:\/\/bloemoloog.nl\/en-it\/products\/organic-dahlia-akita","provider":"Bloemoloog","version":"1.0","type":"link"}