3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Anna did you get stuck with a cool season? We had that last year. Furnace on in August after our usual fleece-bearing June. Not so great for dahlias, but there are always some that pull through eventually.
We've had the best year out here in a long while and still, despite starting early, they are just coming into boom time right now. I think they have they're own schedule.
Crossing fingers for a late summer for you Quebequians.
It is so unfair that some of us our out preening and carefully fertilizing, watering, pruning and primping and you can plop a tuber in clay soil to produce that monster, in August yet!
Good job MissLucinda. Despite our wonder-weather, or maybe because of it, alot of my blooms are smaller than usual this year too.
Hi grdn,
You are a wise and conscientious dahlia tender to be bracing for the storm. If we are going to have wind and wet, what I consider the biggest enemies to the dahlia aside from frost, I always cut what flowers I can't bear to lose that are close to fully open. Saves those blooms and lightens the weight on the plant branches for better wind resistance.
I make sure stakes are in very firmly, add taller ones immediately adjacent to existing stakes if needed, and cinch up all ties and add more if needed fairly high on the plant. Not so tight to strangle them or bend stalks/stems, but snugged up so they aren't susceptible to breakage by lashing winds and rains. This is where the inexpensive 1/2" plastic tape ties come in real handy.
Thankfully, we don't have such weather very often at all, but when it's expected, I'm out there tying like mad. Good luck and please let us know how you fare. I'll cross my fingers that Bill goes far out to sea to miss the entire east coast of North America.
I always wondered how one pronounces "Chewelah."
A mere 144 miles separates Wenatchee from Plantlady's acres of dahlias. What's 3 hours? It's a beautiful drive and destination.
Cory, I bet you're busy readying for the National Show Tours. Unfortunately, I'm not going to get there this year but will look for forthcoming photos online, for sure.
Anna,
I am in southern NYS but I think everyone here experienced the same cold May and June weather, consequently everything--even those started inside in late April as I did mine was slow to pop. But don't listen to Viking. He's in a warmer zone and I swear he put's blankies on his babies at night to keep 'em hearty :).
You've gotta remember it's soil temperature which fuels the sprouting and the growth: cold soil, slow to blossom.
You guys are good! I checked my order on the Swan Island website for the names. From top to bottom...
Raspberry Punch (my freebie)
Vassio Meggos
Canby Centennial
Coral Gypsy
unsure what variety
Spartacus
The 5th photo is actually a variety that I was able to keep over the winter, not one from this year's order. I think it might be Kenora Wow but I'm not positive. I'll have to check my photos on flickr.
Poochella, Raspberry Punch is a very dark magenta. It was really hard to capture the true color of this one. You have to see one of these in person. I LOVE the color of this and will have to grow it again next year.
I had Raspberry Punch one year, planted late, but it never got very 'punchy' here in my limited sun. Same for Canby Centennial! But they're all stunning in your garden.