3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Sounds like they just rotted from being in the ground & not divided up for 8+ years. They could have frozen or been too wet over the winter. The earthworms wouldn't eat your tubers but could have found the mush & eaten that if the tubers had rotted in the ground. As for the centepede looking things- I've seen them around but they don't appear to have eaten any of our tubers- I think the creatures have found the remains of the tubers after the they've rotted & decided it was a free lunch!
thanks plantlady. you hit it right on the spot with that '8+' years thing. how did you know that? some of my dahlias have been there for over 10 years. you know in seattle, it's wet and cold during the winter. it's very hard to get my butt off to do any digging. but now i learned.
Croydon Masterpiece & Croydon Superior are entirely different dahlias. Masterpiece is an AA ID Bronze & Superior is AA ID Light Blend of Bronze & Pink. Masterpiece was introduced in 1948 & Superior was introduced in 1968. They are both from the hybridizer Mr. Brand in Australia.
I have never worked with Oasis wedges, but a couple of things come to mind. These are my own thoughts, and others may have different ideas.
#How long are your cuttings? You should not have to have over 2" of stem below the bottom leaves. You can have more, but 2" is sufficient.
#If they have a lot of leaves, I would take off all but three or four leaves, and bury them up to the bottom leaves. Be sure that there are some nodes where you removed leaves on the stem that you are burying--this is where the roots will come from.
#Spraying AND covering them ( use a newspaper if nothing else) certainly would help.(I'm assuming you have them in sunlight.)
#If your cuttings are small, try covering them with a "clear" plastic cup. Makes the situation similar to a greenhouse, but be careful if they are in the sun because it could roast the cuttings. Give them lot of light, but not direct sun.
#Try my suggetions on some of them, and do the rest if things are to your satisfaction.
Hope you have good success.
I've started cuttings in Oasis for several years. What was your purpose for soaking the cuttings in water before putting them in the Oasis? Was the Oasis totally soaked before you inserted them? The water should come up about to about 2/3 of the Oasis. Most likely the wilt comes from having no dome or not misting them. The leaves need the humidity. Gordy Leroux (originator of Kenora dahlias) got me started and he doesn't use a dome, but does mist regularly. I use a dome and rarely mist. Are they under lights? They need to be, but that shouldn't cause them to wilt after 30 hours. After I take the cutting, I put in the Oasis immediately. My cuttings take about 14 days to root. Were they in direct sun? That could also cause them to wilt.
Teresa
i agree.the work is well worth it. it only takes me one afternoon to dig up my dahlias,and put them away for the next spring.last year i had about 30.this year i hope to have about 60.i cut them all summer long.and i also have canna's.i love them also.when i started both these flowers.the neighbors loved them.now i've shared with them and get to see even more beauties. happy gardening backyardmom
You can also grow them in a pot. Just put in a pot to fit size of tuber (root end can be cut off with no problem), put soil in and put the whole thing in the ground. After the frost has knocked them down, cut off the stalk, pop out of the ground and store in an area where they won't freeze. Then in the spring, once they have sprouted, separate, put one in the pot, share the others with friends and start all over again.
Teresa
here's a link that might helphttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/images/competition/300x193_dahlia.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/competitions/dahlia.shtml&h=193&w=300&sz=10&tbnid=mPKlyZnGD2eomM:&tbnh=71&tbnw=111&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bdahlia%2Bseed%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN
You won't get the same dahlia from seed as you grew from tubers. The only way to get the same dahlia is to keep the tubers. The dahlia has too many gene combinations to come true from seed.
If you want to see what a dahlia seed looks like go to our "Seedlings" Album at this site. It also shows the pods & how we open them to get the seeds.
Here is a link that might be useful: Wynne's Seedling Album
You're in a pretty cold area. I think I've read to pot up 6 weeks before planting time in your garden. Here's a link with some good information closer to your area.
(see the 3rd question, about setting out started dahlias.)
http://www.midislanddahlia.com/Learning/FAQ_pre.html
Below is why there is no FAQ here: it's all very well covered at this website below. AND it looks like they're adding more subjects all the time. Check the "Care and Culture" section for great info and photos.
Here is a link that might be useful: Look Here
Try internet searching for "container dahlias" or "gallery dahlias" Those are usually shorter varieties. Some are visible at the link.
Also in big box stores Lowe's Home Depot etc, look for the "Impression" dahlias. I love my Impression Fantastico, short though it is.
Here is a link that might be useful: Shorter dahlias
There are some recommended varieties in this article.
Here is a link that might be useful: bedding dahlias
Thanks, Granny. Have to say that your pictures have definitely inspired me. One day, I hope, I will come close to the beauties you grow. Hope spring comes soon for you in the U.P.
Igwiz