3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Yes there are, but there seem to be a dearth of growers in the far north NE.
Check the list of suppliers at the link or search for dahlia farms in new Hampshire, but I couldn't turn up much. Maybe try VT too. Lovely part of the country, by the way.
Perhaps another route would be to contact the local/state dahlia society and get some leads from them.
Here is a link that might be useful: Dahlia Suppliers
Stan your request is too broad. You'll just have to make your own choices based on the types and colors you mentioned.
Along Plantlady's line of advice- here is another link to the Colorado Dahlia Society's website. This one shows you the top winners from 2004 of all sizes and colors and shapes.
As you go though the list watch for C- cactus, SC- semicactus and LC laciniated. There are plenty of photos to help you whittle down your list.
Look for R or DR for red/dark red, DP for dark pink, BI for bi-colors. For example, BIy/r would be bicolor yellow and red.
Here is a link that might be useful: Top 50
I usually wait until the first "LIGHT" frost gets them, and then I very carefully dig them up. If you are expecting a heavy frost, then I'd cover them with old sheets or you could dig them up the day before. I usually plant mine in a place where there is an opportunity to throw a sheet over them, like under a railing from a porch. However where there is a stake to support them, a sheet over the individual plant will help.
Once the leaves start to turn black from being frost bitten, it is definitely time to bring them in.
Good luck. Keep Ottawa in bloom as long as you can. LOL
What were the poor ratings about? I have ordered from VB about 4-5 times over the years and have always been satisfied. Although I have ordered dahlias from them, I have not purchased any of the Karma types, so IÂm afraid I canÂt help you about those. I will say, though, when they state that an item is an "exclusive," sometimes that is just not true, as it is available elsewhere.
The Karma dahlia was developed specially for the cutflower market. For this reason, they have incredibly strong stems -- as well as length. These are highly productive plants which flower for a very long time with an incredible vase life. As growers of cutflowers for market, we find our Karma dahlias bloom from April on. They continue to bloom now in our hoophouses. These plants are intensily planted, and don't bush out as much as other dahlias. Therefore, we are able to maximize the space in the hoophouses. The plants generally grow tall and not as wide.
The reason that you don't find many distributors of the Karma at the retail level is that these dahlias are patented. Propagation is allowed by a few growers. Obviously, VB is one of the growers with a contract with the Karma brothers to propagate. Since these plants are patented, a royalty is paid on each sale. As tempting as it may be to propagate your own plants, you should also be advised this is an implied contract upon purchase of the plant material. Propagation is illegal.
The Karma dahlia isn't necessarily a showy flower; however, the colors are intense. The flowers are lovely in bouquet work. Currently, there are 10 varieties of the Karma dahlia -- six decorative, three cactus, and one waterlily.
I hope this clears up any confusion you may have regarding the Karma dahlia.
This was discussed a few threads back.
Here is a link that might be useful: Digging, Dividing and Storing Tubers
Many folks separate and divide in the fall before storing for the winter. Last spring, I did mine in early April because I was too busy in the fall. It can be done either time, but fall is probably the best time.
As for the eyes, I believe bernie gave you a link above. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.
Poochella, the first 9 or 10 years were devoted to comparing the Saranwrapping with various storing media....sand, vermiculite, peat moss, sawdust, cedar chips etc. I would use the same clump and store half of the tubers in Saran and half in 1 gallon plastic bags with the storage medium. That way I was able to make a valid comparison on which method proved to be the most effective. It was only then that I told my dahlia growing friends to try the Saran method. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of Saran. Our local dahlia society was resistant for the same reason many dahlia vendors are. Our society raises thousands of dollars at 2 tuber auctions every year and any method that would make tuber storage easier and more reliable would cut into their annual intake.
There is still some local skepticism and I must admit that I too had my doubts when my wife first suggested that we give it a try. After the initial tries, I mentioned it to Dr. Peters and he was the one who was the motivating force behind writing an article and having it published in the American Dahlia Society Bulletin. The overall reaction worldwide however is positive and many societies request permission to distribute copies to the membership.
Three years ago we were still experimenting. Some large and bulbous tubers were difficult to wrap in Saran, so we tried wrapping in aluminum foil. The results are the same as Saran.
Lady Marian gets her daily hugs not only for her idea but for being the wonderful person she is.
Great information! Will try the Saran method.
Lost almost all my tubers...don't use potting soil.
They shriveled up.
All my non-dahlia bulbs in peat moss were fine.
Sigh, I'm not alone. We had such nice dinner plates.
Also, if the weather gets rainy and my stalks haven't gone brown yet,
I pull out with some of the garden soil
and let the plant die down in pot out of the rain.
Seed collection was discussed earlier and you can believe what Plantlady and Jroot both say.
Here is a link that might be useful: collecting seeds
Poochella,
I have 3 more buds on Goodwin 90 so when they blossom, I'll get another shot of them and post it. Then we can compare again.
I also got a new camera and I think the saying goes for brunettes or better yet the on coming of grey as well as blondes!!!lol
Your photo and and blooms are just magnificent! My dahlia's are doing their thing now that we had some rain. Better late then never! Rumor has it that frost is on it's way in two weeks, UCK!!!! Hope it holds back a little longer than that otherwise I will have to do the sheet shuffle.
Thanks for the guesses! At least now I have something to say "looks like such and such" if someone wants to trade for a tuber later on....and don't look too close under the nail...I have a hard time getting the dirt out. Garden gloves and me just don't get along. :-)
Nightnurse, my entire commute to work is spent trying to clean under my nails: thumbs are the worst. Traffic is bad, so I'm not endangering anyone.
I wanted to guess Karras 150 or Alden Snowlodge because they are the only two I know that are even close, but I don't think close enough.
How tall is your plant?
Here are some ideas from the Winter Sowing folks:
Here is a link that might be useful: Long lasting labels
Thanks for the Atta-girl! This is the stalk that broke off and I stuck back in the pot - it has 2 more buds coming now. It got about 45" tall. The original tuber has some growth but I still don't see any sign of buds - it stayed pretty small. Here's a photo of it fully open. I didn't use a flash but plan to go back out tomorrow morning to see if I can get a better photo. Can't believe I said Otto's Thrill is gaudy - I love this. Esp in mid-September.
Here is a link that might be useful: Otto's Thrill
Oooh! You've got four huge beauties there and I bet people just go nuts over them! Willow's right, once you get the hang of photos, you'll be posting up a storm in no time. Don't be shy! We all want to see your blooms.
Nice job on those flowers! Do you know the names of the white, red and purple ones?
The white is "Fleurel", the red is "Garden Wonder", and the purple is "Lavender Perfection". This is year 2 for all of these. They did very well after a late start. The weather wasn't very cooperative. Their size is incredible - up to 9 inches. I'll post more photos soon.
Plant Dahlias in February/March, Begonia's in spring,and geraniums in March/April.
Here are some links from the University of Florida about planting seasons in Florida.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG029
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG018
By the way, there is a frost in Bradenton, FL. I used to live in Tampa, Florida when I was a child. I remember the frost killing oranges and the fires people used to prevent the damage.
Hope this helps,
Leann
Hope this helps,
Leann
Excuse the typo.