3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
That sounds great. Thanks Ryan!!! I will contact you in the spring then. Just out of curiosity, what state are you in? We have really early springs as a general rule here in the south but I know that's not the case for everyone.
Thanks,
Dianne
Brrrr for you, Sherwood. I doubt a couple nights of freezing temps would get down deep enough to destroy the tubers. If they feel firm and skins are intact, they should be good.
Spring division is an option and easier to see eyes poking out. If you plant the whole clump you'll have many stalks, a bushier plant that is more difficult to support but with more flowers and tubers that keep right on reproducing underground making division even tougher as each year passes. Over time the flowers become weaker and fewer. It's really not that hard to divide every year or two. After that, it gets more challenging as the clump grows and tightens.
You can see examples of 1,2, and 5 yr clumps at the link below. Also photos identifying eyes and approximations on where to divide into single tubers. Practice, practice, practice makes it easy in no time at all.
Here is a link that might be useful: Dividing dahlia photos showing eyes/cuts
Thanks for the tip. That's what I'd figured. Looking at them there is no sign of weeping or bruising like you'd get from a frozen potatoe. They are drying a bit now. Tuesday I'll pick up some sulfur fungicide and store them up.
I ended up with a bumper crop. 3 milk crates of good sized tubers from a single packet of seed.
Where are you in Michigan? It seems a little early to be digging up the tubers . I am in mid-Michigan and my dahlias just got their first freeze last night. I am also confused regarding the mother tube. Below is a link from this site with pictures showing in great detail how to divide tubers.
Here is a link that might be useful: dahlia
Thanks Poochella. That's good enough for me. We have pretty mild weather here on Vancouver island and there is good drainage so I think I will take a chance....I know some varieties are not as hardy as others...but I only have one of each anyways....OK, I know, I can pretty-well convince myself of anything...I don't really mind the digging etc., but I think it was the disappointment in the spring that did me in(all those mushy tubers...with shiny metal name tags)I'll have to keep my fingers crossed!
Now if I could figure out what to do with those darn spider mites? Do they affect the tubers if the plant is infected so late in the season and not really showing any serious signs of destruction?
I've only had spider mites on a perennial, not a dahlia. See the article below for an exhaustive review of chemical mite combat. It mentions ripping out the entire plant but never specifies the tubers. My thinking is that they do not affect the tubers as they feed and reproduce their evil little selves on the leaf surfaces alone. But it also mentions a soil drench and overwintering females, so who knows.
Perhaps if you leave your tubers in the ground successfully, be on red alert for the first sign of mites next year and take corrective action to control them early.
Good luck. I'll cross my fingers for a mild winter for you while digging and dividing in the cold, wet slop we call early winter here.
Here is a link that might be useful: An article on spider mites.
Did it just happen this fall, as the light and temperatures began to wain? I find that happens every year with a lot of mine. I just figure that is the way they are and enjoy them until that happens. Next year they start off the bloom season just fine. Think of them more like Exotic daisies and they are still pretty.
Your dahlia "wilting" when the sky in clear and sunny makes me think your dahlia might need some water. This would be particularly true if you are growing the dahlia in a pot, particularly a clay pot. If you are growing your dahlia in a pot, try transplanting it to a larger pot, and try not to disturb the root ball. Then water it well, particularly in the late afternoon, but keep the water off of the leaves.
Good Luck!!!!!
Henry, aphids can carry a virus that will result in stunted plants and curled leaves you may want to check along that avenue. yellowing leaves and stems can result from many different things too much water, too little fertilizer, poor soil conditions. but if they were my dalhias i would investigate the aphids/virus relationship. hope that will help
sjmarshes, the correct spelling of that dahlia is narcissus. mctavish, you have hit on a tough topic. That floor was here and they had that high shine on it that you see. It is realy tile and is soft. The name of the stuff they sealed it with isMexican Saltillo Seal from Mediterranean Exports, Inc. This was put on 20 years ago and just started to peal. I am now in the process of taking it off with a razor blade! Can't find anything else to do it. I want to find something with less of sa shine but I may give up and put this back on abd try to make it look decent.
Thank you for looking up the name of the dark cactus and also for the name of my mystery orange. I appreciate it.
I have that Mexican tile as a surround for my wood stove. You are probably removing the finish the best way because this tile is so porous.
Go Aunt Penny, for raising the orphans! Any self-respecting cat would be curled up basking in the sun on top of your nice bench in a New York minute. Must have been feeding time?
I really miss having outdoor cats in the gardens. They're all stuck indoors for survival nowdays and only occasionally get to charge an invading squirrel or bird on the deck, only to be thwarted from their prey by that darn glass door.
I've never tried it. I might consider experimenting with some that I wasn't too much in love with, just for the experiment. With my good ones, I will store them the way I've suggested before because I know it works. .... and is a LOT lighter to carry to the cold cellar.
You are right on the Lirio. Isn't it great and it lasts forever cut. The red in the middle is Drummer Boy. The best red I have ever had. Big also. The two others, I can't tell as everything has a red cast from my not knowing how to select the correct settings on the camera. I think that I have so many of the same color that it is one big color.
Lollipop? Height and any foliage peculiarities are other hints that would be helpful in an attempt to ID.
Pazazz? http://www.dahlias.com/pazazz-item296.aspx
Do you know where you might have obtained it in the first place?
Here is a link that might be useful: Lollipop
Thanks poochella
You're welcome but I misspoke: to edit your own member page, sign in, click on the lower "Member Pages" link in the Garden Web band at bottom of any page. Sorry.