3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Hi. This is my first year with Dahlias. I read all sorts of things about disbudding for one large bloom, which I tried on 2 of them. They look terrible and never bloomed. The other ones I disbudded only a couple sprouts and they have many tall beautiful flowers. For me, more is better! And it's true...the more flowers you cut off the more you get!
Okay, the disbudding I understand, but what do you mean by "alternate sides laterals". If someone has a pic to show what it is that be great. Thank for the help
Here is a link that might be useful: my little dahlia blooms
I had EXACTLY the same problem. The center stem was mush, and smelled bad, too, right?
Since this is my first year with dahlias, I wasn't sure what to do, so my first step was to cut that stem out.
The next day, I went back and cut back the entire plant to the base, and culled it from the dahlia bed entirely. I replanted it in a very large pot, away from all other dahlias.
Yesterday, I noticed a small shoot coming up. I'm hoping the tuber is still good, as I didn't see any problem with it when I culled it.
Glad to know I'm not the only one. I've been trying to figure out what I did wrong. Do you have any ideas as to what causes this?
Sassy Stems
I have no idea what it was, but it's bagged and in the garbage can. My guess: bacterial stem rot, or verticillium affliction. I didn't notice a terrible odor because I was weeping (at the loss of Pinelands Pet)and my nose was stuffy LOL! Kidding. It would take something tragic like Ivory Palaces to go before I really cried over a dahlia. Did get a little misty eyed over Bracken Ballerina succombing to rot though, darn it.
I like your idea of keeping that tuber away from the others! Will be replanting mine tonight in a pot.
Here is a link that might be useful: dahlia disease chart
(because we had a cool spring) and I still do not have flowers only small buds.
My guess is that's the reason why. A good stretch of warm/hot weather will do wonders. We've been through a long stretch of heat and sun, and the previously dawdling dahlias have just gone wild. Still only 6 opened, but bud formation and growth has been explosive.
I would give them time and hope for a heatwave.
I've had some like that too-rot. And now its extremely hot. Another factor is if you replace some...I mean that some didn't work out, so you dug 'em up and put in another. Then it would take awhile for the new one to get going. I've had both cases. I'm also using a pot to shade the new one. I've been pleasantly surprised that as much abuse as some have taken-getting broke off, etc that its still hanging in there!
Keep "the faith!"
Wow, Willow that is beautiful but not anything like Lupin Peltier I know or anything I have grown. Did I send you one from the PSDA? It would not be inconceivable that someone mislabelled their tuber- they are donated by members. If it was my tuber, I have no explanation and plead 100% innocent (just like OJ, LOL.)
Here's mine from last year.
That makes two so far that look different in color and this one is way different in form. I would guess tuber mix up, although I have one from Connell's that is shown to be a white-tipped, small purple cactus and to date it's looks like white and purple mixed all over each petal.
I have no idea what's gone on here, but I can't wait til yours bloom so I can compare colors etc! The good news is I have two Lupine Peltiers (I think) and will gladly resend one next year.
That was the one you sent me from PSDA, I don't get it! It must me a tuber mix up as that was the second blossom off that plant and the first looked the same as the one above. My mystery plant because it sure doesn't look like LP. Hmmmmmmmm???
Thanks for the reply and I will take you up on the resend of LP
Willow
I started squishing the aphids by using Plantlady2's method a few years ago. Just running your thumb and finger up and down the stock. Last year I had 2 plants that had a few. This year I have found none as of yet. I also feed tons of birds and I see the birds sitting on the dahlia plants sometimes. I think they do a good job of keeping the aphid population down. I also have lots of little green tree frogs in the dahlias. We have a well and I don't use cemicals.
Hi Rick, I live north of you in snohomish county. You do want to get rid of them quick before they spread to your other dahlia plants. I don't like using insecticides so I get a bucket of warm sudsy water (dishwashinging liquid works just great), and wash it up and down the stems and them leave some of the suds on, doesn't seem to hurt the dahlias but leaves the stems sticky and the aphids don't like it -- be sure and check under the leaves too, they don't just hang out on the stems. Happy hunting!
Hi,
I don't know but, I hope so, a storm yesterday split one of mine straight down the middle. I had to cut it down and am hoping for more shoots to come up in place of the old ones.
I have blooms on a few plants and the leaves are turning yellow and looking scraggley looks like were in the same boat.
Good Luck with Yours!
I hope they keep blooming nicely.
Laura
I should try that newspaper covered with mulch thing. I have tons of grass and persistent weeds that creep into my garden pathways.
Glad you found a place you're happy with for your dahlias Jamlover. I used to grow potatoes- those little suckers are persistent, like the weeds! I think it took about 5 years to get them out of the garden.
Calpat, there is nothing like learning from experience, even written instructions can't save you from failures, but the trial and error method yields many lessons. You have a good attitude to go forth and try to succeed.
I hope you have a banner year for dahlias in your future.
Can you please tell me how far down I should cut?
Hi Kimbaq,
I will try to get a photo for you tomorrow, but here is a pretty good discussion (see link, scroll to page 7) on trimming laterals and cutting a flower. If I read correctly, the article says cut a stem of 2-3 feet!
Could be my tired eyes, but what I normally get are ~12-24 inches depending on variety of plant and that's plenty long for most bouquets of mine.
Here is a link that might be useful: Read page 7 for cutting