Dahlia 'Mayan Blood' (DblO)

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter and general purpose fertiliser, in full sun. Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy plants and stake. Water freely in dry periods. Lift and store tubers in autumn to replant or use as a source of cuttings in spring. See dahlia cultivation

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Propagate by softwood cuttings taken in spring from shoots from stored tubers, or divide the tubers ensuring each division has a viable bud

May be susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, glasshouse red spider mite, capsid bug, caterpillars and slugs. Earwigs sometimes damage blooms

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions, grey moulds and other fungal rots in wet weather, a virus, and fungal rots in storage