How to Grow Kenora Macob Dahlia

Closest match — some photos here may show the parent species rather than this specific variety.

Kenora Macob Dahlia

Dahlia × hybrida 'Kenora Macob'

flower

Kenora Macob is a dwarf decorative dahlia cultivar prized for its compact growth habit and vibrant golden-yellow blooms with red tips and blending. This variety produces abundant flowers on bushy plants, making it ideal for borders, containers, and cutting gardens.

When should you plant Kenora Macob Dahlia in your zone?

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Example Kenora Macob Dahlia timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Kenora Macob Dahlia
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Kenora Macob Dahlia blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Kenora Macob Dahlia dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours for optimal flowering

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Water: Moderate and consistent watering; keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 2-3 times weekly during growing season; reduce in fall as plants mature

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Spacing: 12-18 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first flowers

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Planting depth: 2-4 inches deep for tubers; surface sow seeds or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

compost aged manure perlite or pumice for drainage organic matter

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-10; perform best in zones 5-9 with proper tuber storage in colder climates

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Sprouting

2-3 weeks

Tuber or seedling begins to emerge with initial shoot growth from soil

Ensure soil temperature is 60°F or warmer; keep soil consistently moist but not soggy; stake early if growing taller varieties

Vegetative Growth

3-5 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems and compound leaves; compact bushy form develops with no blooms yet

Pinch the main growing tip when plant is 12 inches tall to encourage branching; apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks; maintain consistent moisture

Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Flower buds appear at the branch tips; plant may have 20-40+ visible buds developing

Switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering; continue regular watering and deadheading spent buds if desired; stake if needed for support

Flowering

8-12 weeks until frost

Golden-yellow flowers with red tips and blending open in succession; blooms are double or semi-double decorative form, typically 4-5 inches across

Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming; fertilize bi-weekly; monitor for pests and diseases; maintain consistent watering schedule

Senescence & Harvest

4-6 weeks

Flowers continue but may reduce in quantity as temperatures cool; foliage begins to decline after first frost; tubers swell underground

Stop fertilizing 4-6 weeks before first frost; reduce watering gradually; after frost blackens foliage, cut stems to 4-6 inches and dig tubers carefully for storage

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

zinnias marigolds cosmos coreopsis salvia dusty miller ornamental grasses lavender

Avoid planting near:

fennel dill

Common Pests

Hand-pick early morning; use neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; encourage beneficial insects; yellow sticky traps
Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water jet to dislodge; use miticide or sulfur dust if severe; neem oil application
Use blue or yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; remove affected flowers; apply neem oil
and
Hand-pick at dawn and dusk; use beer traps or copper barriers; apply diatomaceous earth around base; remove leaf debris
Improve air circulation; spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate; remove infected leaves; avoid overhead watering
Remove affected flowers and foliage promptly; improve drainage and air flow; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide if needed

Uses

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Edible flowers

Culinary

Dahlia petals are technically edible with a slightly sweet, slightly spicy flavor. They can garnish salads, cakes, and desserts for visual appeal, though the Kenora Macob variety's yellow and red coloring makes an attractive but cautiously-flavored garnish. [source]

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Fresh and dried cut flowers

Craft

Kenora Macob dahlias are excellent for cut arrangements, lasting 7-10 days in water. Flowers can also be dried for long-lasting crafts, potpourri, or decorative arrangements. [source]

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Garden display and landscaping

Household

The compact, dwarf nature of Kenora Macob makes it ideal for borders, container gardens, small spaces, and mixed beds. Its prolific golden-red blooms provide season-long color from mid-summer to frost. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Dahlias attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the flowering season. The full, double blooms of decorative types like Kenora Macob provide abundant pollen and nectar sources. [source]

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Traditional use in herbal medicine

Medicinal

In traditional Mexican and Ayurvedic medicine, dahlia tubers have been used to support digestive health and blood sugar regulation. Modern research is limited, but historical use suggests potential wellness applications. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are fully hydrated; remove lower foliage and place immediately in cool water. Blooms last 7-10 days in a vase when regularly refreshed. For continuous garden flowering, deadhead spent blooms weekly. Harvest foliage down to 4-6 inches after first frost; carefully dig tubers, wash, allow to dry fully before storing in cool (50°F), dark location with peat moss or sand.

Fun Facts

🌱 Dahlias are native to Mexico and were a staple food crop for the Aztecs before being cultivated primarily as ornamentals in Europe and North America.
🌱 The Kenora Macob cultivar was developed in Canada and is named after the Kenora region in Ontario, reflecting its cold-hardy breeding for northern gardens.
🌱 Dahlia tubers can live for decades when properly stored, and a single tuber can produce dozens of flowering stems in a season, making them an economical perennial investment.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun pH

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