3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
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.
Hi Poochella-
Geeze, my Neon Splendor is this puny 3" wide very yellowish bloom and super tall (???) not half so nice as your 2008 Neon not to mention your current one.
Here's a classic I have been growing for years...a beautiful melon color and great form about 8". Someone on this forum typed it as a Babylon Bronze.
Here's the Babylon Bronze thread below and your lovely arrangement! Love that soft peachy/pink color in both old and new versions. Very nice. I wish I'd quit finding dahlias I want!
Here is a link that might be useful: Babylon Bronze
Good call rose nutty. Starjr you should read some about digging up and storing for winter. A great starting place is here
http://dahlias.net/dahwebpg/CultureIndex/Culture.htm
Unfortunately, they look to be revising/updating that site and winter prep, digging, and dividing is absent right now. You can read about the process of overwintering whole clumps of dahlia roots or cutting into single/small clumps at almost any dahlia society website. Do a google search.
Below is another good learning site.
Here is a link that might be useful: Mid Island Dahlia Society
Forget the gallery and its puny size limitation: keep on posting right here til Gardenweb refigures the value of a gallery. That's my vote.
So pretty. Wish I could help you out on that stunning purple but I can't. Love the color though. How is Beaucon White on flower production? I like the draping petals.
Hi Viking
My Gitts is barely more than a big fat opening bud. Shows what a difference 50 miles makes.
The tripods are an excellent idea. Are they anchored inside the pot and if so how?
I am still in love with those big fat square wooden planters you have off to the right in the first picture. Any interest in building a couple more....(for a pal, hmmmmm)?
My best regards to your spouse,
Lucinda
The tripods are just stuck in the soil. But most of those pots are over 12 inches deep. That gives the tripodos a lot of support. I tryed selling my home build pots to my neighbors for fifty dollars. The wood cost me around $23 at Lowes. They just laughed at me. They are way to heavy to ship at reasonable cost. I will tell the wife you asked about her. Thanks those kind of things make her happy. As well as all the kitties eatig treats out of her lap.
Our DD just graduated from college in OC and studied in Beijing for a semester. Talk about cough. I don't think she saw the sun break through in Beijing the entire time- just haze and brown glow of the new day. Fascinating place though.
How far from the recent BC fires were you Mactavish? Nasty things and the only thing I dread about a dry summer.
Did you fertilize with anything that might be burning your leaves? When I had a couple container type dahlias, I recall that they were the first to go as far as blooming went. Those are the only things I can think of for what you describe.
I'd just take the brown leaves off, they're not coming back to green, I don't think. Maybe your plant is taking a breather and will have a second spurt?
How is your soil in the pot? Does the soil drain well? NEVER use garden dirt only in a planter.
Another thing--being a container plant, be sure your plant is not "dry" before fertilizing--in other words, if in doubt, water the plant at least an hour before fertilizing.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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.
Thanks!
I have been staking like mad and putting potted plants in the shed. Again, a shame to have to cut the blooms, but it sounds like good advice to remove them.
Thanks again and keep your fingers crossed for us!
G