3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
rcnan,
If you can plant them in pots you can probably have blooms around Christmas inside...;-] If not, I'd toss them and avoid being disappointed next spring (or thinking you have Dahlias when you likely won't...storing them that long I think might be a problem.)
Cheers,
Russ
pdshop,
Lol, I usually state the names as well as the "specs." Actually, if you just hold your mouse over each picture you'll get the names...;-]
The BFD is "A La Mode" and the BBWL is "Sandia Joy."
FWIW, so far this year Sandia Joy is the heartiest. Every single plant I put in the ground has bloomed (25+). China Doll next, and Sayonara after that. Tahiti Sunrise has been fickle (earlier cuttings have done well, later cuttings didn't) and Firepot, which I was really looking forward to hasn't had a bloom yet (irregardless how long the cutting had been taken.)
My first dark purples have bloomed (Purple Taiheijo), but I can't get a good picture yet.
Cheers,
Russ
Those are some neat looking dahlias, Russ. You are the envy of the neighbourhood.
I've been away for a while, and when I came back, mine are not as pristine as usual. Too much rain, I think, and not a regular deadheading.
Good to see that wonderful looking "bodacious", and really neat "a la mode".
pdshop,
FWIW, the pens I bought from Lee Valley did not stand up when used on their wooden stakes, the writing faded to red and then disappeared.
What has worked is the drawing I did of the beds. I just drew a very vague representation of the bed, and indicated where and what each Dahlia were. Worked like a charm, and nobody can muck it up. I did it in Excel so I don't even have to worry about losing the paper. Even worked on my 100+ bed.
Cheers,
Russ
That is really great. Thhanks. as I mentioned before ion the site, I got about 6 dahlias that were not what I ordered. It is so annoying when I try and do a color scheme. At least they are pretty and healthy. In MA., we have had driving rains for days and I am so worried about the tubers. Everything is staked well though.
Some of mine are just starting now. They do bloom at their own time. Starting them indoors does tend to speed things up though. Make sure they get lots of sun. The ones that I have just opening, did not get enough sun.
Sure, you can dig them up, and store for next year. If the tubers are firm, they are worthy of saving. I had some that did not do well for a couple of years but this year, they are going gangbusters.
I agree Linht! Pretty blooms and James Bond, all the way. Remote sprinkler control! It would take me half a lifetime to figure out how to use such an asset, and I don't have half a lifetime to spare. Those who are tech savvy are really in the catbird's seat nowdays. I just count the days since watering, or since rain and act accordingly....
Actually, the thing is pretty easy to use. If you got one, your sprinkler installer would set it up for you. All the updating is automatic (which IMO is the real purpose of the remote.)
The only time I think I'll ever use the remote is when friends are over and they refuse to believe I can turn my sprinklers on from inside the sunroom...;-]
Cheers,
Russ
I DO remember your Chimacum Topaz. You said it's always been a reliable grower for you. I'm starting to lean towards getting the "good growers" instead of the "ooh, that looks cool, I want that one even if it's $13 for one tuber". My Trelyn Rhiannon is about 1 foot tall. I've started it since late April. When it finally blooms, think I will wet my pants.
LOL! That is the funniest line I've read about dahlias in a long time, if not ever! Thanks for the chuckle, and I know how you feel: I have a couple 2 inch tall plants I fully expect to produce a dahlia yet this year. What a dreamer.
Chimacum Topaz IS one of the most reliable, hearty bloomers I've ever had. One year I had 15 plants of it, and plants begat more plants..... This year, I have Chimacum Troy and I'm hoping the hybridizers have created another Chimacum wonder in purple.
I'd love to say the vase was a "creation" but really it was simply a matter of trying to get one of each of my Dahlias that are well into blooming into the vase at the same time so you could see them...;-]
Remember, I'm the engineer, not an artist...;-]
Cheers,
Russ
Pull off the old leaves & see if the new ones do the same thing. If they do then turf it out before it spreads.
Look for spider mite webs on the back of the leaves- they turn the leaf edges crispy like that. To see them in person, put a piece of white paper under the leaf & give the leaf a tap. If little dots are now on the piece of paper you have spider mites.
Restrict your shoots coming out of the ground to the strongest two or three and then reduce it to one by pinching them off at ground level. They will not grow back. This will restrict the number of tubers growing under the ground and you should only need to divide them once a year and flower production will remain at a high level.
Does JAARS fly into your location? I have a good friend who is a JARRS pilot.
I'm going to try some Dahalias here at about 7400 feet in the Colombian Andes. Temps sound about right, but we may be just a bit cooler. We also have a place at about 5500 feet (Medellin).
It's great to hear form someone else in a tropical montane environemnt. I'd like to stay in touch as things grow differently in tropical areas due mostly to minimal variation in temperature ranges and photoperiods.
Phil Bunch
Medellin/Piedras Blancas, Colombia