3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
So, I have a question. If I get my Dahlias from the nursery in containers and they are already blooming. Can I still top or pinch to generate more lateral growth? Also, is is acceptable to pinch/top with shears as opposed to snapping the top off? I have really big hands and one of the instructions is not to disturb the lateral buds (which I may invariably do because of the size of my hands). Thanks!
Nixon
If they are already blooming in the container then there is no need to top the plant any further. Usually these are smaller, low growing types and no further pinching is required. You can use a tool to pinch but just make sure the shoot doesn't start to grow again which is true with using your fingers too.
More than one shoot--Each shoot that grows out of the ground will have it's own set of tubers underneath and if you don't dig your tubers every year in San Diego or anywhere in the South or West coast, the amount of the tubers under the ground will grow quite large. Sometimes keeping two shoots is desirable in case one runs into trouble and dies. After the plant is well on it's way growing I would pinch the additional shoots off and only grow one. You can grow another plant with the shoot you pinch off. Just put it in some potting soil in some bright shade until it stands up again.
Plantlady,
Thanks, I appreciate the info. Wow, you really have a lot of dahlias....I have one! I want more, but dont have LOTS Of space. I do have space for one or two more, Id like a white one and possibly a light yellow or light pink one.
LOL on the sheep. I noticed the lack of petals on the collarette but thought it was just an old bloom dropping petals late in the show. Even more clever. Now I wonder from whence the shepherd stole the 'ears.' Were those petals too?
Taratahi Lilac, so pretty. They're all gorgeous, that's the problem!
He stole the ears from a Maryjo- that little miniature semicactus that's a peachy pink color-- it was full enough that no one noticed. Looks like he robbed a pompom for the eyes. He's quite a hoot is John-- & the Aussie accent makes it even more fun! He does the "Winkie" line of dahlias as in the AA ID Red Winkie Colonel. Got a picture of it somewhere, too -- I'll see if I can find it tomorrow.
Poochella- we're always glad to have visitors- the good news is the veggie garden is right next to the Big Garden so you won't go hungry if you dig in out there :)
I think the only pict. of Peach Sorbet I have is of a basket that a lady from Vancouver did for decorating the entryway at a Whatcom show. I'll see if I can find it.
It's always better to order from a dahlia specialist- there are a lot of them out there & Wynne's is one of them. You get better service, a guarantee that the tubers will green up & grow & most of them throw in an extra or two for you to try. Remember-- you get what you pay for- the big companies that sell a lot of different stuff can't specialize & their stuff just isn't as good as the specialists- besides-- always be wary of a company that calls AA & A sized dahlias "Dinnerplates" --any company that still calls them "dinnerplates" just doesn't know dahlias.
I don't disagree with what the other posters have said. HOWEVER, many of the people who are not really in to dahlias and just grow a few (me a year or 2 ago), still call the big dahlias DINNERPLATES, so that may be why the Jung catalog continues to call them that, as well. I ordered from them and got nice dahlia tubers that grew well and bloomed their fool heads off last year. This year I will probably order from a dahlia supplier mostly because the selection at Jung is fairly limited, and I'm hoping that the tubers that I have from last year will winter over and I'll have all the varities that they offer that I was interested in.
Jung is a class act as far as mail-order nursery stock, in my experience. I've had a huge order with them almost every year for probably 15-20 years. Everything from fruit trees to strawberry plants to roses, dahlias, and other flowers. I've nearly always gotten superior quality stock from them, and the few times I was disappointed, they made it right with no hassle at all.
No apology necessary- always glad to help get the names straight. That being said- the Peaches & Cream debate has gone on since 1993 when Peaches-n-Cream was introduced by Blue DG. There already was a Peaches & Cream introduced in 1991 by Madeline Geisert & the confusion began. Sometimes the "&" was put instead of the "N" & sometimes it was written "and" -- no one can keep them straight esp. if they don't have a classification book to look them up in. The "&" one is a waterlily - yellow & pink. The "n" one is a formal dec. light blend of white & orange. Sounds like you have the "n" one. To further confuse the issue, there isn't one with "and" in the name but it gets written that way a lot.
Hope everyone is so thoroughly confused by now that they just look at the pictures & wish for summer >:)
Varied Thrushes they are- just couldn't think of the name. I like the way they wear a black scarf around their necks- however they're very bossy birds - push the Chickadees & Junkos around all the time but they met their match in the Quail- he just ignores them or chases them back!
Lots of King Salmon still.
I like all dahlia colors. Never used to want red (mostly to keep down the numbers of flowers in my beds) now I have all kinds of reds and just ordered more LOL.
Way back when I started out with Chimacum Topaz and a very miniature orange dahlia, then realizing there were thousands more shapes colors and sizes to choose from, I stuck with oranges, bronzes, yellows to "match" what I had growing. Then came the purples, lavenders, whites, pinks, later the reds LOL..... you know how it goes!
I'm sure Susan Ambrose has forgiven you. A college friend had me over to their newly bought home. We toured from room to room while she lamented about the former owner's hideous color schemes in various rooms and the work involved in redecorating. The kitchen was behind a swinging door so when it opened, we were assualted by the most hideous smothering blue. Of course, I empathized with just how hideous the kitchen was..... only to have her tell me "I know. This didn't turn out like we had hoped!" LOL My bad.
Well, just a "catch-up" for anyone who might benefit.... I had a much better dahlia year this year. Hardly any signs of spider mites at all - yea! My tubers had wintered over well enough but in the spring when I planted them I used a systemic insecticide/fertilizer made by Bayer called '2 in 1 Rose & Flower Care'. Has anyone used it? Every few weeks I hit them again, soil-wise, with it. Of course as might be expected, I got a whole lot of foliage, but I did get some real beautiful blooms too. (No success with any reds though!) So, I don't know, maybe that's the secret to solving my problem. I've looked for other systemics such as this one by Bayer, but haven't found any. Is this the only manufacturer of such a systemic insecticide? Anyone know?
AVID is an excellent systemstic to use on spider mites. It is very expensive $90 or so a pint, but it works and it only takes a very small amount. A pint will last a lifetime or at least 10 years. I mix it in my spray each time I spray my dahlias. It can be purchased at Southern AG located in Hendersonville, NC and in Florida.
Here is a link that might be useful: Southern ag
Finally! Threeorange, you may suck at finding eyes but you're great at finding orange cats LOL! They are marvelously handsome and soooooo cozy looking both indoors and out.
Thanks for admiring my boys! I must say, I agree- I think they are marvelously handsome and squishy. They rule my life, don't know what I would do without them. I routinely wake my husband up in the middle of the night to admire the huge orange pile in the middle of the bed! LOL