What Materias Can Be in a Dahlia Mulch?
The type of insecticide used is not so important. There are many very good proprietary brands on the market, and this important subject will be dealt with more fully later on, but it is as well to use a brand that will give a measure of protection against both the biting and the sucking insects. A mixture of D.D.T. and Gammexane (Gamma B.H.C.) as a spray or dust seems to give better results than most other insecticides, as a matter of fact.
a mulch is a surface layer of 1 dead vegetable matter, manure, etc., to keep the ground and the roots of plants moist. A somewhat cold description of a practice which many growers consider to be the most important single factor in growing really good dahlias on any soil.
Although not all dahlia experts agree as to its vital importance, there is without doubt a great deal to be said in favour of mulching. Primarily the ground is mulched to conserve moisture, a very important point on any soil, but of vital importance on light soils.
Dusting is fairly economical in cost, provided a good powder blower is bought which will give an exceedingly fine cloud of insecticide, and provided the operation is carried out at a time when there is little wind. Alternatively an old woollen sock will make a very good substitute, half filled with the powdered insecticide. Gently shake the sock whilst walking slowly along the rows so that a fine cloud of insecticide drifts through the plants, effectively covering both sides of the foliage.
Straw makes an extremely good substitute. It is cheap, clean and very springy, and it is most effective in preventing the ground compacting under pressure. It is an excellent practice to put an additional layer of loose straw along the pathways for this one reason.
The time of application will vary with both the season and the type of soil. The first noticeable effect of mulching is a considerable drop in the surface temperature of the soil, so that it is obviously not a good plan to mulch too early on heavy soils which are slow in warming up, or in a cold damp season.
