Dahlia Seeds (Ball) - Bonanza

The Dahlia Bonanza is a stunning ball dahlia variety that boasts vibrant, perfectly round blooms in striking colors, ranging from deep oranges and yellows to rich pinks and reds. Known for its compact, bushy growth and excellent uniformity, Dahlia Bonanza is perfect for gardens, borders, and containers. The flower's perfectly symmetrical, spherical shape adds a touch of elegance to any floral display. This variety is also an excellent choice for cut flowers, providing long-lasting beauty in vases and bouquets.

Key Benefits

• Vibrant, Bold Colors: Features rich and radiant colors, including shades of orange, pink, red, and yellow, creating a striking visual impact in the garden.
• Ball-Shaped Blooms: Perfectly round, tight blooms provide a neat and uniform appearance that adds texture and depth to garden designs.
• Compact Growth Habit: The plants grow in a bushy, compact form, making them ideal for smaller spaces, containers, or flower beds.
• Long-Lasting Blooms: Blooms continuously from mid-summer through fall, ensuring a vibrant garden display for months.
• Ideal for Cut Flowers: The perfectly shaped flowers make Dahlia Bonanza an excellent option for stunning cut flower arrangements and bouquets.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Bushy, compact plants with perfectly round, symmetrical blooms in a range of bright, bold colors.
• Bloom Season: Blooms from mid-summer to fall, providing continuous color throughout the growing season.
• Growth Habit: Grows 12–24 inches tall, with a compact and bushy form, making it an ideal choice for flower beds and containers.
• Size: Typically grows 12–24 inches tall, perfect for front rows in beds or container gardening.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Plant Dahlia Bonanza in the spring, after the last frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed to above 60°F (15°C).
• Ideal for warmer temperatures, dahlias thrive in full sun with a long growing season.

Planting Details

• Bulb Depth: Plant tubers 4–6 inches deep with the "eye" or sprouting point facing upwards.
• Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart to allow for healthy growth and airflow between the plants.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
• Sunlight: Needs full sun for at least 6 hours a day to thrive and produce abundant blooms.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Dahlia Bonanza requires about 1 inch of water per week, especially during dry periods. Water deeply to promote strong root development.

Fertilization

• Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time and again when plants are 6 inches tall to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms. Use a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content to avoid excessive foliage growth.

Weeding and Mulching

• Keep the area around your dahlias free from weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water.
• Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil temperature stable.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Watch out for aphids, slugs, and snails. Use organic pest control methods, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, to protect the plants.
• Diseases: To prevent fungal diseases, ensure good air circulation around the plants and avoid overhead watering.

Harvesting

• For Blooms: Cut flowers when they are fully open but still fresh for the best display. Use sharp scissors or a knife and place them immediately in water.
• For Tubers: After the first frost, dig up the tubers carefully and store them in a cool, dry place until the next planting season.

Storage

Short-Term: Freshly cut Dahlia Bonanza flowers can be stored in water, changing the water regularly to keep them fresh.
Long-Term: For winter storage, keep dahlia tubers in a cool, dry location (around 40°F/4°C). Store them in peat moss or sawdust to prevent them from drying out.

Culinary and Aesthetic Uses

• Aesthetic: Dahlia Bonanza adds a vibrant, energetic touch to any garden. Its bright and colorful blooms make it a standout in flower beds, borders, and containers.
• Floral Arrangements: The perfectly round, ball-shaped flowers are perfect for cut flower arrangements, providing texture, color, and uniformity to bouquets and centerpieces.

Conclusion

The Dahlia Bonanza is a beautiful, vibrant variety that adds color and texture to any garden. With its compact growth, striking blooms, and long-lasting flowers, it’s a perfect addition for flower beds, containers, or as part of a cut-flower garden. Whether you're looking for a lively garden display or a charming centerpiece, Dahlia Bonanza is sure to impress.