Dahlia Seeds (Pompon) - Bantling

The Dahlia Bantling is a charming pompon dahlia variety that features small, perfectly round blooms with rich, vibrant colors. Known for its compact size and dense, bushy growth habit, the Bantling Dahlia adds a playful and colorful touch to any garden. With its delightful, ball-shaped flowers and a long blooming period, it’s a perfect choice for gardeners looking for a cheerful, low-maintenance flower that thrives in borders, containers, or cut-flower arrangements.

Key Benefits

• Vibrant Color: Features deep, rich hues of red or pink that brighten up any garden or floral display.
• Compact Growth: The small, round blooms are supported by sturdy stems, making it an ideal choice for smaller gardens or containers.
• Long Blooming Period: Blooms from mid-summer to fall, ensuring long-lasting color in your garden.
• Ideal for Cut Flowers: The small, symmetrical blooms make it a popular choice for floral arrangements and bouquets.
• Attracts Pollinators: Bees and butterflies are drawn to the vibrant blooms, enhancing the ecological balance of your garden.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Compact, bushy plants with multiple stems supporting the small, rounded flowers.
• Bloom Season: Blooms from mid-summer through fall, offering an extended period of visual interest.
• Growth Habit: Dense, bushy plants that grow in a rounded shape, making them perfect for borders, containers, or as part of a cut-flower garden.
• Size: Typically grows to a height of 18–24 inches, ideal for the front or middle of flower beds and container gardening.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Plant Dahlia Bantling in the spring, after the last frost, when the soil temperature has reached 60°F (15°C) or higher.
• Wait until all frost risks have passed before planting for optimal growth conditions.

Planting Details

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

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid over-watering. Water deeply to encourage strong root development, especially during dry spells.

Fertilization

• Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time and again when the plants reach about 6 inches tall to encourage optimal growth and flowering.
• Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as this can lead to excess foliage growth and fewer blooms.

Weeding and Mulching

• Regularly remove weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture.
• Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Watch for aphids, slugs, and snails, which can affect the plants. Use organic methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap for pest control.
• Diseases: Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Watering the base of the plants rather than the foliage can help avoid these issues.

Harvesting

• For Blooms: Harvest blooms when they are fully open but still fresh. Cut the stems at an angle to prolong the flowers’ lifespan in arrangements.
• For Tubers: After the first frost, dig up the tubers carefully, clean them, and store them in a cool, dry place for winter storage.

Storage

Short-Term: For cut flowers, place them in water and change the water regularly to keep them fresh.
Long-Term: Store dahlia tubers in a cool, dry location (around 40°F/4°C). Pack them in peat moss or sawdust to prevent drying out and to ensure they stay healthy over winter.

Culinary and Aesthetic Uses

• Aesthetic: The Dahlia Bantling is perfect for adding a pop of color to flower borders, containers, and garden beds, or for creating a visually striking focal point.
• Floral Arrangements: Due to its small, spherical shape, the Bantling Dahlia is a favorite in floral designs and makes excellent additions to cut-flower bouquets, centerpieces, and decorative displays.

Conclusion

The Dahlia Bantling is a vibrant and compact pompon variety that provides cheerful, round blooms throughout the growing season. Its rich colors, long-lasting flowers, and easy-to-grow nature make it an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space or those seeking to add pops of color to their landscapes. Whether in flower beds, containers, or cut-flower arrangements, the Bantling Dahlia is sure to impress with its stunning beauty and versatility.