3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
It's Boogie Nights from Swan Island Jroot, and quite stunning based on fan approval so far.
Now I want to know what that intriguing orange and green trimmed building is in PD's photo. Now that you have the hang of photos PD, how about a little photo tour of your gardens?
The little red and green house is the pool house. Pooch, I have another flower to send you. This dahlia has lasted 8 days and counting. Long stems and just beautiful. I will do it later. The big garden has been tour up. It didn't have any dahlias in it. I took daylilies to my cousin in VT. and gave some to a friend here. I just wanted to do new things out there next year and it would give me something to think about this winter. I will try and find some old pictures.
The female is eating your dahlia petals while the male is getting busy. When they are both done gettin' their groove on, they will concentrate better on eating more of the flower and you will be left with chomped up blooms (I've seen them eating my blooms). I have a major grasshopper problem this year and that's why I've stopped posting pictures. Sevin dust is the only thing that really keeps them away (for me) but it's so toxic I try not to use it. Hope you don't have many of them hopping around.
Phyllis, we want to see your dahlias! Check out Photobucket, if you want, and I'll be happy to tutor you by email on uploading and posting. It's really easy.
Regarding tall dahlias, we're reaching that time of year when I have to sacrifice tall monsters to let sun get to those poor waifs in their shadows. My tallest by far was Jaylene G a small rose-colored waterlily that packed a punch at 9'-10'. I cut one off at a reasonable 4'level. It's already grown new sprouts up to 5'. Others that will get the snip are 8' or so, shadowing 4 footers behind them. So much for planning heights.
Here is a link that might be useful: Photobucket
Thank you both for your suggestions. Poochella, hope your pretender does well. I've had them break up higher before but this is the first time they've broken below ground. I'll cover them and leave them for now. Some are in an area of heavy wet clay and I always dig those, the other end of the planting is in good soil that is bermed up and I may leave those in the ground. I have a lot of one particular dahlia so not a disaster if I lose some some of those, but I also have a few "onesies" that haven't multiplied as much as I'd like and those will be pampered a little more.
You can always experiment with some tubers that you think will be excess, but don't rely on that method totally. My thinking is that the tubers will dry out and die. I have found that they are not like cannas at all, which will survive if you treat them as you suggest.
Dahlias are a lot of work, but they are so beautiful that, to me, they are worthy of the extra effort needed.
There are several postings about how to overwinter the tubers.
Here is a link that might be useful: dahlias are in for the winter.
Of course I have to have that purple one. My daughter wants the orange yellow one. I will have to wait for your on line photos to show the wife. I may just order from you my self like last year. I have been very happy with farmer john and daper dad. They are out front in the big pots so every one who goes by the house sees them.
PDSHOP it is nice to see more shots of your garden. I feel compeled to ask are you JROOT ok. I know my garden is not as nice as last year. It it wasn't for some of the new dahlias I planted I would have a very sparce garden this year. I put all the new dahlias up in March and they were will formed before facing all the rain. Later I tried to start all my other dahlias out side late and it still rained them out.
That is so wrong: I'd contact the vendor and attach your red/white photo and ask them what they sold you instead of the Clair Obscur you wanted. Then have them send you Clair Obscur and don't order from them again, if it's a company with initials VB. Too many negative ratings in Garden Watchdog. Mistakes, especially from very large suppliers, are inevitable but fixable. Shop elsewhere for dahlias IMHO.
I don't know what the cute red and white is, but I bet with half an effort you could overwinter it successfully.
Google 'Wynne's Dahlias' and you'll find the link to seed-to-seedling photos and descriptions. Very informative and soooo much work!
If you Google "dahlia seeds" Images, click on the largest image of seeds that show up. You get a view of a fairly close up from a dahlia society page in CA, I think.
Thank you for introducing me to Wynne's. Unfortunately, my DH and pocketbook will not be thanking you! I was so impressed by the pictures of their plants and reasonable prices. I spent time at the site, reading and learning. What a wealth of information for the dahlia novice is there.
I have grown "pot" dahlias for almost as many years as I've been gardening, and also grew a few of the taller varieties. These did not have larger flowers but they did produce "pretty" ones. It's just been in the last few years that I tried my hand at keeping my tubers over winter and had some success. I'm pleased because one of my keepers did not bloom last year - I may have planted it too late - but I have buds now. This is Hayley Jane and I can't wait to see it. I also have a plant given to me in a trade by Corgicorner, who I hope sees this message. Betty K is going to bloom too, Alfred, and I'm anxiously waiting to see it.
I have much to learn and will be spending lots of time reading messages here and enjoying all the pictures everyone has shared.
Thanks again,
Linda
Sounds wonderful! All I can think of are Lauren Michelle and Blue Bell but both of those have dark undersides and lighter lavender/bluish topsides to petals. Let us know if you find a name.