3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
I read somewhere (on this forum, perhaps!) that using a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen will produce tubers that will not store well. So I use one with a low first number and higher others on my dahlias (as opposed to my roses, which really like the high-nitro stuff).
Many of the giant dahlias are good tuber makers. Kidd's Climax makes a moderate number of tubers for me. I continue to grow it because it is a beautiful dahlia and the first giant one my dear, sweet Mother ever grew. There may be a deficiency in your soil that is causing not to produce any tubers. Even though some people say it is too much trouble, I would have my soil tested. Another thing you can do to insure a tuber the following year is plant the tuber in a pot and then sink the pot in the ground. You will get a normal sized plant and blooms. Then, when the season is over, dig the pot and store pot and all where it won't freeze. When the tuber sprouts, you can separate into several pieces, or take cuttings. But that is another whole subject. Good luck and don't give up.
Teresa
bigcityal,
Have you had better luck with cuttings than with the tubers? I've checked out that supplier's website earlier this year and do plan to try cuttings next year. Just wanted to get feedback from others who've tried before first though. Did you have any problems "hardening them off to the sun"? Did the plants perform better overall, compared to those of tubers?
I didn't have any problem with them hardening off, they will still start out kind of slow early in the year. The rest of my dahlias are from tubers that are started 6 weeks before planting outside. I don't have any problem with Corralitos, they might be better for people who have problems direct planting tubers or for varities only they carry.
This is one of theirs this year.
Here is a link that might be useful: 
Thomas:
These are all of the dahlia shows being held this year
in the North Atlantic Dahlia Conference. I'm the
American Dahlia Society's Regional Vice President
for the North Atlantic Conference. Email me at
EBonci@msn.com if you have any further questions.
Ed Bonci aka Dahliaboy
North Atlantic Dahlia Conference Shows
August 18 & 19 Washington County Fair, Richmond, RI, by the Rhode Island Dahlia Society
August 25 CT Dahlia Society 49th. Annual Show, Elizabeth Park, Hartford
September 1 & 2 Long Island Dahlia Society, Bayard Cutting Arboretum, LI, NY
September 8 & 9 Rhode Island Dahlia Society, Wickford, RI
September 12* Southern Tier Dahlia Society & NADC Show, Chemung County
Fairgrounds, Horseheads, NY (*Note this is a Wednesday)
September 15 &16 Mid Island Dahlia Society, Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay, NY
& Rochester Dahlia Society, Fairport, NY
September 22 & 23 No NADC Shows, but Philadelphia DS is on this date at the
Longwood Gardens near Kennett Square, PA. Next year the
Philadelphia Society will be hosting the 2008 ADS National Show on September 18-21.
September 29 North Jersey Dahlia Society, Frelinghuysen Arboret., Morristown, NJ
October 6 & 7 Long Island Dahlia Society, 2nd. Show, Bayard Cutting Arboretum
October 13 & 14 Mid Island Dahlia Society, 2nd. Show, Planting Fields
So when you remove a leaf, will another one grow in that same spot? Also, if you dis-branch will that encourage growth elsewhere? I've recently started disbudding & since this is my first year growing dahlias, it was EXTREMELY painful to remove a growing bud. So just want to know if it's safe just to remove most of the infested leaves and wait for new growth...
Grannymarsh's recommendation is "right on". I fertilize every week with a fertilizer with a higher middle number. ( not too high, though ). I continue this until the end of August, and I stop fertilizing completely then. My dahlias this year are amazing. The higher middle number promotes the formation of buds.
One thing else to consider. Do you have your dahlias in a place where they get a lot of sun? They are much less likely to bloom without it.
Perhaps you'll get some yet. The summer is not over for another month, although as I write the temperature outside has dipped to 8 degrees C.
Beautiful, indeed. I have been feeding mine with miracle grow as well. Today was the last feeding for the year. From now on, I want them to grow more naturally, in preparation for a long winter. I will continue to water as needed though.
jroot thanks, I also finished feeding for the year.... like minds