3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
I picked up Lee Valley Copper plant markers after my permanent marker scriblings on wooden stakes started turning red.
$0.25 a piece, just write on them with a ball point pen. More expensive than tin cans, but you aren't going to cut yourself in the process either...;-]
Cheers,
Russ
Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Valley Copper Plant Markers
Hi Carolina,
Torrential rains don't sound ideal. If you keep them in a pot, it seems like it would be ideal to move them under shelter during the rains, then back out for sun. A lot of work, but possible.
A lot depends on the expected size/height of the dahlia too. Your pot sounds a bit too small unless it is a smaller container dahlia (18-24 inches or so tall.) I've grown 4 ft dahlias in pots, but they were larger shrub pots each with a stake. (see the link below) They provided enough flowers and tubers, and got full height, but I think the garden dahlias of the same variety grew better overall. Could be the soil in the garden was better. Maybe your garden soil is more fertile as well or rose fertilizer is helping the dahlias along?
I would think the sun needed for roses would be good for dahlias too, but I'd hope for at least 45 cm/ 18" all around and more space would be better for a larger dahlia. It can't hurt to try one there.
Those are my thoughts without knowing much about Costa Rica, but it sure sounds nice! I wish you well in whatever you decide to do. They are tough enough to have grown this far, so you are on your way!
Here is a link that might be useful: Growing dahlias in pots link
Thanx a lot,
I tried a forum in Spanish and so far this is the best and clear advised someone ever gave me. I will take everything you told me into consideration and hopefully in a couple of months I will be able to post some lovely Dahlias
Thanx once again
I posted updated pictures on June 29 in the thread titled New Pictures, New Beds
I'm taking pictures every two weeks. Since the 29th, there haven't been any new blooms. I have a Sayonara that's just starting to open, but that's about it for now.
Here is a link that might be useful: New Pictures, New Beds
Thanks Russ, I have Hulin's Carnival, Maarn, Rebecca Lynn, Cornell, Chilson's Pride, Kathy G, and four others that I lost the names of...I didn't label them unfortunately...I won't know which is which till they bloom :) I do know that there are no dinnerplates. As a newbie, I had no idea how many varieties there were...I've learned a lot on this forum, and the dahlias will definitely be planned out a little better next year. After seeing posts and pics from Poochella, Plantlady, Sturgeonguy, VikingCraftsmen, you, and many others, I have a better idea of what to do.
I'll keep patiently watching for buds...
To post a photo you need to put it up on some other site. Many people use http://photobucket.com/, I personally use http://www.flickr.com/
Once you've got the picture up, you can then put a link to it in a message here.
As far as the marks on your foilage, it certainly does sound like spider mites. Especially if the leaves are shriveling up as well.
Cheers,
Russ
I definitely recommend that you plant it. It quite possibly won't have flowers, ( but it might in September/October ). However, it will need nourishment during the summer in order to reward you with flowers next year. Go for it :)
Vikingcraftsman, I am about ready to move to NY after seeing your fully grown plants in bloom already. I have topped off several budded plants, but only one is ready to even think about going on to bloom, and that will be 2-3 weeks away at least.
Congratulations on your lovely blooms. The pastel pinks are my favorites in your collection so far.
Boy for a moment I was going to ask where in New York you were moving to. My wife picks the dahlias, I do the growing . So this year we have mostly purple and lavender. We did get gitts perfection in the dinner plate collection. It is a delicate pink which blends to white in the center. We also got kasuga which is a light apple blossom pink.
I think some will disagree, but I had a couple like this already this year and I figured if I cut the bud, it would branch. If I left the bud, it will still branch. So I left the bud.
FWIW, have a look at my last pictures and you will see tons of short Dahlias with big stakes...I sure wasn't going to go out and buy different length stakes for the different heights they'd attain throughout their life.
I have >50 planted that will grow >5', but none are >30" yet. Patience is a virtue.
Cheers,
Russ
sturgeonguy, The dahlias are wide and they are making buds. I don't think we will see any 4 or 5 footers. At least not mine. I have never seen them do this. On the positive side, I have had no slugs this year! Very strange. I really want some tall dahlias though. I will post some when I learn how to up load.