3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
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.
Daconil is a fungicide that can be used on Dahlias but always use as directed or a little less as too much will curl the leaves and leave a residue. I do use it all summer in my sprays to keep fungus away.
Fertilizer--You can use 10-10-10 or Miracle Grow Rose food or any fertilizer with a nitrogen content of 15 or less. Dahlias don't like a lot of nitrogen.
It all depends on how warm the soil was when you planted, how deep you planted & your weather. Also some dahlias take longer to wake up than others. You can do a little poking around & see if there's anything growing under there but be careful you don't break off any starts. Walt (aka- the husband) usually gives them a couple of weeks & if nothing shows he'll carefully dig them up & have a look- if there's shoots replant quickly & pretend you didn't really disturb them!
If when you plant you just cover the tuber with soil it's easier for the shoot to get through the soil- then you fill in the hole as it grows.
Thanks for the advice Plantlady. I'm in coastal San Diego so we use the method of digging a deep hole, covering with a couple inches of soil, adding more soil whenever the plant growth hits a couple of inches, etc. (Not sure if that's how everyone else does it.) The weather has been much cooler than normal lately but the sun is still pretty strong so the soil warms up OK.
I guess I'll give them a few weeks before I start digging. Another one came up today but I still haven't seen anything from the tubers that had no eyes. Guess I just need some patience.
You can fill the pot to the top if you want- take off the leaves that would be covered. You can pinch them or when you plant them you can take off some of the leaves & lay the stalk horizontally with the top few inches above ground- or you dig to China- might find some cool new dahlias there! You could also take cuttings from these plants & have free plants.
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!