Home Home & Garden SuppliesPatio & Garden Find Out Why Dahlia’s Leaves Curl and Other Exciting Things About It

Find Out Why Dahlia’s Leaves Curl and Other Exciting Things About It

by Isabella Mosss

Even a flower as unique as the Dahlia has various problems like powdery mildew, Verticillium wilt, gray mold, and mosaic virus. Some pests which love feeding on its leaves are mites, leafhoppers, thrips, and aphids.

One of the main problems growing this plant is curled leaves, which happen because of underwatering, overwatering, and temperature stress.

Keeping your plants in a cool area solves the problem, but not doing this can cause curled leaves and other issues. For example, you might find the leaves turning downwards rather than towards the sun.

What are some popular reasons behind the leaves curling within themselves, and which solutions are most effective? What are some facts about this beautiful plant you should know?

An Introduction to the Dahlia

The Dahlia flower has some pretty interesting facts associated with it. For example, did you know the flower has more than 30 species and 20,000 cultivars?

Anders Dahl, a Swedish botanist in the 18th century, who gave the flower its name, originally called it a vegetable because of its edible tubers.

It is a thing of beauty, Nature’s exercise in perfection. How else would you describe the rows of overlapping petals arranged neatly over one another?

Coming across a garden full of blooming white, red, yellow, and purple dahlias cheers you up from the inside, filling you with a pure, raw sense of happiness. 

They add colors to a colorless world and life in a lifeless world. It is available in all colors except blue, with breeders still trying to breed one with that color.

Where Is It Originally From?

These plants are native to Mexico and much of Central America. It is the national flower of Mexico and symbolizes wealth, love, elegance, prosperity, and commitment. 

The dahlia was introduced to Europe in 1789 by the French botanist, Philibert de Commerson. It became an instant hit among gardeners and soon became a popular ornamental plant in many gardens. With so many colors and sizes to choose from, it is no wonder that the dahlia has become a favorite among gardeners all over the world.

dahlia yellow

What Are Its Varieties?

The Dahlia comes in various shapes, colors, and sizes. Its most famous varieties are cactus, semi-cactus, pompom, decorative, ball, collarette, mignon, orchid, peony, and dinner plate.

Although they are fascinating, the cactus and semi-cactus ones catch your attention quickly. These have pointy petals, which give them a spiky look. You wouldn’t even recognize them the first time you saw them.

Similarly, the ball-shaped ones have petals that resemble a mini-globe. They look like little colorful fluffy balls when you see them from a distance. 

The dinner plate Dahlias, as the name suggests, are large and have petals that can be up to 10 inches in diameter. They come in various colors like white, yellow, pink, red, and violet.

Then there are the decorative ones with showy petals that look like ruffles. The pompom types have small, round flowers that look like little puffs of cotton.

The collarette Dahlias have a ring of small petals around the center, while the orchid Dahlias have long, slender petals.

Finally, you have the peony Dahlias that have big and full blooms.

Why Do Its Leaves Curl?

The leaves of this magnificent flower curl for three reasons: underwatering, overwatering, and rapid temperature fluctuations.

When you provide excessive water to the plant, they suffocate due to lack of oxygen, causing the roots to die and the leaves to curl. Not providing sufficient water is also wrong, as it causes the roots to dry.

Leaves also curl because of excessively high or low temperatures, especially during the summers when it gets too hot.

dahlia

What Are Some Helpful Solutions?

You can try these solutions to prevent your leaves from drying up and curling:

Overwatering

You can solve the problem of overwatering by constantly checking your plants and using pots with drainage holes at the bottom. Adding rocks increases air circulation at the pot’s bottom.

It is advisable to avoid adding more water unless the soil roots are dry. 

Underwatering

If you think your plant is not receiving enough water, then the best solution is to increase the frequency of watering. Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

Temperature-Related Stress

Besides causing brown spots on the surface, excessive exposure to sunlight causes curling around the leaf’s edges. You can solve this problem by keeping the plant in a cool area away from direct sunlight.

You can also try spraying water on the leaves to increase the humidity level around the plant.

What Are Some Exciting Facts About It?

Did you know that Dahlias were used as a symbol of warning during the Victorian era? If a young woman was seen carrying this flower, it meant that she was looking for a husband.

Dahlias are also used in the production of cosmetics and perfumes. Some of its species are used as a food source, while others are used to make cloth and paper.

The Dahlia has a long flowering season, which lasts from summer to fall. It is an annual plant, which means that it lives for one growing season and dies after producing seeds.

Final Words

Dahlias are a wonderful addition to any garden. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and their leaves curl for various reasons. With the right care, you can ensure that your dahlia plants remain healthy and thrive for years to come!

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