3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Putzer: good evidence that one should dig and divide annually to avoid that screaming hassle. Your neighbors will appreciate it! Even if you do divide annually, some clumps are still tough customers. With luck, you will have saved something viable.
Plantlady, did you use any kind of fungicide before wrapping or storing in vermiculite? I used both methods last year with great results. The year before storage in quarter clumps in peat moss with a sustained freeze was a total tear jerker though. Rot, rot and more rot. Live and learn, and learn some more, I guess...
We don't use any kind of fungicide on the tubers- used sulphur one year & I had a very bad reaction to it- ended up in hospital-- so now they have to get rid of their fungus if any on their own! We do use a fungicide during the growing season on the plants & that may help as we have really healthy plants & the tubers store well without any rot.
I hate powdery mildew ! when the rainy season starts down here all that moisture is not good for my dahlias. But I use a simple remedy my granny taught me when mildew attacked her roses, baking soda, 2 teaspoons in a pint of water and a light spray and mildew dies in an eyeblink.
I'm in zone 9a/b, northern California! I wait till early March to plant my tubers, but we don't get freezes(well, maybe once in while.) But I'm also a newbie with Dahlia, first year was great, 2ndyear nothing, so I'm studying & trying to remember all the steps to their good growth & health. Yes they are prolific in Mexico!
I am in Poinciana and am also new to dahlias. I ordered 6 tubers in March 2005. All have thrived beyond my expectations. I probably should have pruned them but at one point several were as high as the house (11') They got a big sunburned in August but are doing beautifully again now. I plan to leave these in the gound over the winter to see how they do. I will order new tubers for delivery in late January. I ordered from Corralitos Gardens and was very pleased.
That's a fine woman you've got there Jroot! I do the same thing in terms of doling out flowers AND exhausting myself LOL. We had very few bouqeuts actually stick around the house this summer. I see them all in the gardens. Give your neighbors some cucumber seeds and maybe they'll get the hint!
Jamlover, it's the end of the hard part; now you can while away a few weeks at the link below. One of the fun parts.
Here is a link that might be useful: How to Spend Your Winter Vacation
Is there anywhere in Oregon and Washington that isn't covered with fields of dahlias!!! So many places in those states selling tubers.
I bought a number last year just from descriptions and pretty faces. Didn't even realize there were garden dahlias and then cutting or show dahlias.
I am interested in knowing the names of some of the earlier to bloom garden dahlias so I can choose more wisely this year.
Been in your spot before I started using the saran wrap method.
My present concern is my so-called cold room___which it will be in another month is probably around 55 to 60, far to warm for winter storage. Always fear leaving them in the unheated garage for fear I will forget to move them later.
Nope, didn't get to see it. The bud did open a bit more, but tht's it. Poochella's photos are pretty doggone good, so I'll live vicariously thru hers. There is always next year, there is always next year, there is always next year...
I agree with plantlady2 about the necessity of dividing in the spring if the tubers are not already divided. Actually, I find it easier to see the eyes in the spring. One can readily see which ones will sprout for you, and can discard those that probably won't do anything at all.
That being said, I still try to divide in the fall as best as I can ( my old eyes have trouble seeing eyes in the fall), but those in double get bundled together in the recycled grocery store bags.
(((((Jo))))))
Imagine finding you over here:)
Oh I don't know how to tend my Dahlias, so I thought I would pop over here & see if I can get help,
They are huge & drying out, I need to know what to do with them, how long have you had yours? How do you take care of them for the winter? I have read saran wrap, moist peat moss, I have no clue, but I better get a clue QUICK!!!!!!!
Hug's:)Anita
Redhawk woman: let's say I was going to get berries in Carnation coming from the Fall City bridge. Would I see your dahlias on the river side of the highway not too far East from my berry turnoff? Because if that is your garden, I want you to know how insanely jealous I was driving by in early July and seeing many blooms this year.
Poochella in Preston
Although the tubers that develop can be left in the ground where winters are milder, for me they have to be treated as an annual since freezing temps of the soil will destroy any tubers left in the ground. Small tubers do develop on the seed grown types which like any other in colder climates will require digging before winter.
We got our from Gardener's Supply Co. at 128 Intervale Rd., Birlingtom VT 05401. You can call them & get a catalog - 800-863-1700. Guess it wasn't in the mid-west after all- unless they've moved the mid-west a tad to the east!
Stuber's in Snohomish, WA also carries the mats. Both of these places are a lot less expensive than Charley's Greenhouse- much as I love to go there & drool over all their neat stuff, they are pretty high priced.
Most of the mats that are variable temp. you have to buy the thermostat seperately- but they're well worth it.
I would avoid the heating cables that you put in sand in a tray- they're a pain - temp. very hard to control.
Oh, now I feel like a twitt- the husband just told me (& had the paperwork to prove it- don't ya just hate that!!) that we got our heat mats from PRO-GROW Supply Corp. 12675 West Auer Avenue, Brookfield, WI 53005. They're not a wholesale place so anyone can order & they had the best prices of any we looked up. Good quality, too- we got the first one in 1992 & it's still going strong.
At least that's closer to the mid-west -- the part I did remember!
Here is a link that might be useful: PRO-GROW -- Heat Mat supplier