3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
I also bought this bag which includes karma Chocolate and Glorie Van something. Of the 5 bulbs included for KC, only one has produced eyes so far. The Glorie ones are more vigorous. All of them have eyes. I am starting to understand that dahlias have different degrees of vigor. Last year, I bought some dahlias from Swan Island and some did very well and some did very poorly. I might have wrongly blamed Swan Island for sending me bad bulbs when it was the varieties/genes of the bulbs that was the problem.
This post was edited by kousa on Sat, Mar 29, 14 at 16:09
I think that growing dahlias (or any other plant) in containers will be counterproductive with regards to water conservation. A plant in the ground has a much larger root system and will fend for itself much better than a plant in a pot. Pots dry out rapidly and need constant watering.
Mulching is also very helpful for water conservation. Plastic mulch (Polyethylene sheeting) will conserve moisture the best. Use white plastic rather than black or clear if you are in a very hot climate. If you can put drip irrigation under the plastic that is the best. If you can expect some rain it would be good to contour your soil so that the water pools at the base of the plant especially if you are using plastic otherwise that precious rain will run off and not get absorbed into the ground.
I am in the Sierra Nevadas, so hot days are not an issue. Pine needles here provide natural mulch. I should have wrote that originally. I realize that when people read California and drought they think of the desert areas with high temperatures.
My main benefit to containers would to avoid carrying waste water down a pretty steep hill. I've been looking into it some more. Grey water systems are more affordable than I thought, and would hook up easily to the laundry outlet.
I grow some little dahlias from seed too, but I haven't tried the Figaro. This year I noticed a few of them with yellowing leaves. I don't know if it is a nutrient issue, or watering issue. I know some heat loving plants can't take up nutrients easily if it is colder than optimum, especially if it is cold and wet. I moved mine to my top light shelf which is my warmest spot, and am not watering until they are quite dry. They seem much happier. I fertilize with 1/4 strength fertilizer every time I water.
Looks like you have them in the same tray as broccoli ? Broccoli and dahlias have very different needs.
Kousa, sorry to hear about your freeze! I tried emailing but couldn't find an address for you, if you'd like, just click on my member info and you can drop me a line. So far my dahlias tubers look ok, if a little bit dried, they seem to make it ok though so I should have something to share. The only problem is I'll need to divide clumps... it shouldn't be a big deal, but I usually just replant, so this will be something new for me!
Frank
Which Corralitos dahlias are you looking for? I know the feeling...I lost my Summer Rain and was planning to replace it!
I did have a lot of Corralitos dahlias last year and have dug all my tubers. And if anyone has a Summer Rain tuber extra please let me know!
I just put an order in with swan island dahlias.Wow! I spoke with jennifer told her i wasnt sure if my order online was completed and also if there was any substitutions that sissaroo would be my first pick she said everythingwas in but that she was Goung TO SEND IT FREE ANYWAY!!!!!! And since i spent 50$ there was anothr free tuber to choose what a great experiance thanx jennifer at swan island dahlias!
There's two sites that I was told about that still have it available...
Red Hawk Dahlias $5
Old House Dahlias $6.95
Hope this helps...
Try checking other vendors on the Big List, as they might have it but didn't update the variety list...
Here is a link that might be useful: Big List
Start them 6 weeks before planting time in gallon pots filled with garden soil. They should be placed in a greenhouse or similar growing conditions. They will wilt for a few days after planting in the ground but will grow just fine. Plant in ground the same date you plant tomato plants in the ground.
Creekside Volcano grows six feet or taller and has the brightest flame colored flowers of just about any dahlia. A bit hard to find these days.
Elks Huckleberry Pie is a cute variegated flower that is easy to grow.
Grysons Yellow Spider is a Dutch dahlia sold in tubers packs at various garden centers.
Lavender Chiffon is a very old variety still being grown as a cut flower. Most people no longer grow it.
I just talked to a small dahlia vendor about shipping in cold weather, and they said they're shipping dahlias to Alaska end of March, not anticipating any problems.
Another large dahlia vendor I called about delaying my March 3rd order due to below zero temps said that their peat-moss packing keeps them from freezing, and out of thousands sent last year during the cold months, only one grower called for replacements because of frozen tubers. That vendor replaced at no charge, so it's worth a shot if you want better choices.
CCvacation,
I have dug all my dahlia tuber from ground and kept them in the garage. Now i have planted them in pots.
I don't see any growth. Do you want me feed them now only, or after seeing little growth?
I live in zone 7. Can i leave the bulbs in the ground during winter?
Thank you,
Tubers need no fertilizer in the beginning as the tubers themselves store fertilizer. If you did not see any eyes starting to sprout when you put them in the pots, it is very possible your storage method killed the tubers. Water plus temps of about 70 degrees for a week or two so should get them to sprout if they are going to do so.
Tubers can be left in the ground in any zone where the soil does not freeze to a depth of about 3 inches. Killing temps are usually in the low 20s for more than 2 or 3 days in a row. Mulch like tree leaves can keep them from freezing in much cooler temps.
Thank both of you for your help. A question or two. Should I put anything in the plastic bags other than the tubers? Seal them? Use a plastic bag for each?
I will make sure the three I soaked overnight are dry. Don't want mold. Any further help will be great. In about a month I'll begin to try to get some eyes showing. I have lights setup in that section of my basement where I grow other seedlings that I start in a warm room. Maxyck
This year I am sprouting them earlier - I got them all to eye up already and have them in pots, only two have poked up though the soil yet (planted about 3"deep)
Last year I don't think I even unwrapped them until mid April, so I am about 3 weeks earlier this year - I am hoping it won't be to early. The bigger they get the trickier it is to keep them happy and healthy inside. Last year, starting mid April, my plants were between 6" & 18" when I put them in the ground.
I read on another site to start tubers indoors using a soilless potting mix? It sounds like you have used soil with no issues? I'm anxious to get them going, but I don't want to mess this up. Overthinking this as usual : )