How to Grow and Care for October Sky Dahlia
A guide to successfully cultivating the large, lavender-pink October Sky dahlia, with insights on its seasonal needs and long-term plant health.
The ‘October Sky’ dahlia is known for its large, colorful blooms with a blend of sunset-like hues that enhance the landscape from summer until the first frost. This guide provides a focused look at cultivating this specific dahlia variety, from its basic characteristics to seasonal care.
October Sky Dahlia Characteristics
The ‘October Sky’ dahlia is an informal decorative type, a category known for its slightly wavy, broad petals. Its blooms are substantial, reaching five inches in diameter, and feature a distinctive color blend. Petals display a soft orange or pink that transitions to a golden yellow near the center, creating a warm, sunset effect.
This plant has a strong, upright growth habit, reaching a mature height of four to five feet. Its tall stature makes it a prominent feature in the back of garden beds. The blooming period for ‘October Sky’ is extensive, beginning in mid-summer and continuing until the first frost of autumn, providing a long season of color.
Growing and Care Guide
Tubers should be planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Plant them four to six inches deep, with the “eye” or growing point facing upward. Spacing the tubers about one square foot apart will give each plant adequate room to develop without competition for resources.
These dahlias thrive in a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. The soil should be fertile and well-draining to prevent the tubers from rotting. Amending heavy clay or sandy soils with compost can improve its structure and nutrient content, supporting healthier growth and more robust blooms.
A regular watering schedule that keeps the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged is ideal. To encourage abundant flowering, use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. High nitrogen levels can promote lush foliage at the expense of the blooms.
Due to their tall growth and heavy flowers, providing support is a necessary step. Placing a stake or cage around the plant early in its growth will prevent the stems from snapping. Regularly deadheading, or removing spent flowers, will encourage the plant to produce new blooms and extend the flowering season.
Overwintering Tubers
In climates colder than USDA zone 8, the tubers must be dug up and stored for the winter. After the first killing frost has blackened the foliage, cut the stalk down to a few inches above the ground. Carefully lift the tuber clump with a garden fork, being cautious not to damage the delicate structures.
Once lifted, gently brush off the excess soil from the tubers. Do not wash them, as this can introduce moisture that leads to rot during storage. Allow the tubers to cure for a few days in a dry, sheltered location away from direct sunlight. This curing period helps the skin to harden.
For storage, place the cured tubers in a container with a medium like vermiculite, peat moss, or sand to prevent them from drying out completely. Store the container in a cool, dark, and frost-free location, such as a basement or garage, where temperatures remain between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.