3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Hey PhyL:
Next time do a search first. I just answered this question and the only reason I answer is that I am a "Tom Edison" fan.
You absolutely do not want any emerging foliage to hit those 30's temperatures. Stick em in pots if your impatient. But wait another week or two for outdoors.
I just found out that "Komen" is the series of plants that Lowes puts out in support of the Susan B. Komen foundation's mission to save lives & end breast cancer. The dahlia itself isn't called Komen- there's pink, lavendar, yellow, orange, etc- all called the Komen Dahlia- & there are geraniums & other plants in the series. So- you not only have a pretty plant for your garden all summer, you have helped a really good cause, too!
Ha - my sprouting dahlias are also under a table -but it has a glass top, and once I see real green growth - I move them to stronger light. My house looks crazy right now - I am starting tons of dahlias - and I have no room! Dividing dahlias means they keep increasing - and I haven't the heart to throw any out! Yes, they are beautiful!
Anna
I'm delighted to report that after moving them to a sunnier spot, they're growing sprouts!
I'm just so excited - this was my first time saving and storing my tubers, and I was sure I'd mucked it all up. But obviously they did okay and my dahlias LIVE! Woo hoo.
I consider Plantlady a guru, Jroot a seasoned professor and many other considerate posters experienced research assistants. Not a guru here, just one who tries to share what works for me year to year. I have learned much, appreciate the education, and will continue to do so. I hope others learn as well- there's always something new to try, different ways of doing things. You should see my cuttings, Plantlady' and I'm a regular whiz at paperpots thanks to Jroot's tutelage LOL!
On the wilting, as Plantlady says, here they almost all take a midday wilt when the sun is at its hottest. A very few varieties seem to wilt more, but yes, when it cools down, they bounce right back. When one wilts and stays wilted for a couple days, you've might have trouble. Disease or rotting tuber most likely.
See: Another lesson- I wouldn't have known about the tepid water vs cold shocking the roots. Plantlady you are wonderful with all that you share so kindly. And I simply cannot wait to see those dahlias from the north blooming here.
Back to paper pots.... I'm way behind.
Oh hello - I found you over on this thread! I'm re-posting this from a couple days ago since nobody has been on that other thread. Poochella are you out there? I can't believe I'm admitting this but I stayed up last night till after midnight putting my tubers into baggies with a cup or 2 of soil. Some of the White Perfection tubers were so gigantic I don't know what I would have done if I wasn't using the baggie method you told us about last yr. Anyway 30 or 40 bags later they are in. I wanted to ask you when to plant them out, or how to hold them till the temp is reliable. A lot of my tubers were already eyeing up - except of course the infamous Otto's Thrill which all looked like little shriveled rocks.
I was really tough on the spare tubers in the packaging and tossed a few of each type into a spare bag but most went to the compost pile. Last year I wasted so much time on tubers with no eyes.
I have always grown dahlias in containers but this year first time I made some space to plant out some of the really big dahlias like Thomas Edison, White Perfection and my buddy Otto. Now I finally have to pay attention to all the discussion about staking. What have you all decided - which is best? Last I paid attention you were on painted rebar - is that still the favorite?
Last question - will deer browse the dahlias? Are there any other critters that will bother them? I have every creature available in the Midwest but raccoons, squirrels and all the moles, voles and shrews are the worst. In fact last night while I was weeding after dark - the coyotes were howling down along the river. I have finally almost completely cleared out my old vegetable garden of perennials and shrubs and plan to set out some veggies and most of the dahlias. They will need staking, but the deer could definitely get in since the electric fence is now down. I need to spare them so I can be the only one knocking them down..
Looking forward to the season!
linnea56, I take mine in when the temperature gets to about 5C or above freezing (38 - 40F). However, I just take them into the garage, and out the next day. A day or so in semi darkness won't hurt them that much. I know it is a lot of lugging. 5 trays is not too much work. I did it tonight with all my brugmansai ( 40 plants) and canna, and hibiscus, and geraniums ( 120), .... as we are expected to go to 4C every night this week. What does one do though, if one wants flowers most of the season? - a little extra work.
I haven't noticed any mold around the inside of the pot, but then again, once planted, I have not taken them out to see if there was mold inside. I use the newspaper to line a regular pot so that it is easier to transplant to the soil without bothering the roots. The newspaper pot gets buried into the soil eventually, and becomes compost. So I don't see any problem with that.
I have not had mold with mine. I check them everyday and only water lightly when they look dry. They have shoots but not too many leaves, so I figure they don't need too much water right now. The sun gets really hot in that window: I would find it hard to think that mold could grow there.
I think maybe you are watering too much.
When you dig & divide spray the cuts with Lysol Spray & let them heal & dry for a day before replanting. They really should do as well as ones that have been divided in the fall. Give them a bit of fertilizer when you replant- we use 10-20-20 from the feed store.
Hey, I know this is from last year, but that is a beautiful dahlia. I've grown them from seed but it was seeds I bought commercially. Did you collect the seeds from plants you already had? If so, please tell me the best way to do it. My dahlias look good but I never have collected seeds from them and would love to. Thanks for your help. Joe
Hi Joe - I have just now examined my tubers from last year and am so sad "Burgundy Silk" seems completely dried out - so sad. As for seeds - I didn't collect any from this one, but from another, it was quite easy: rather than deadhead, leave a bloom to completely dry out while still on the stem, and when it's "done" the seeds should fall out easily into your hand. But don't forget, as I recently was told/advised: you cannot count on the seed coming true to the plant due to the pollination by bees - of which I have plenty. But it can result in some nice surprises.
Anna
Those kidders are just toying with you Calpat.
Can you just barely unearth where the stalk is emerging to get an idea which way the tuber lies and then reposition the cage? The tomato cages I have used are fairly wide and I can't imagine that you would do any damage at this early stage. It would be a shame to not be able to use your support system as intended.
My two cents.
I'll give it a shot! I was so careful when planting to make sure the "necks" were aimed at center of cages, but I find that some plants just don't like discipline!:) As long as I have been planting "stuff", I'm always amazed when I see new shoots poking thru.
lizalily, have you heard of the trick of using an open flame to 'cauterize' the end of the stem right after cutting? It prevents and air bubble form forming in the stem which would block water vase water from reaching the flower. Yes you are right some dahlias definitely last longer as a cut flower that others.
Best bet would be to try and see a picture of it online. Most of the online growers have pics on their websites. Here is a link to the biggest dahlia internet site that I know of...the page with what might help you.
Ginny
Here is a link that might be useful: Colorado Dahlia Society