3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Hi Sylvia
I don't know anything about Southern California, so it might be different, but here, there wouldn't be much doubt as to what destroyed the plants so thoroughly: slugs!
They LOVE dahlias! I've given up planting dahlias into the ground right away. I raise them in pots until they are sturdy and strong.
Slugs might still climb up to the tender young leaves and buds, but they have a harder time getting there, and they can't eat the whole plant, as they will do as soon as they notice the first green stems peeking out.
So, yes, you are having the right hunch, I'd say: keep them somewhere safe until their leaves aren't so tender anymore.
Hi maybe that what knock over my dahlia that was about 10 in high. I know those guys are really crazy they ate a hole in my plastic pot i could tell by the teeth marks it was a squirrels. Thank god it was only the rim of the pot but the hole was about 2 in dim. So now we not only have bug problem we have squirrels problem bye for now Anna lisa
Hi,
I have recently read something about plants that are planted toghether they can change color and it is called a sport. I think it has something to do with roots touching. Could this be in your case?
As an example a month ago I planted in pots some purple violets and some yellow violets, about two weeks later I noticed that the yellow violets had purple streaks in them they formed a sport.
But Dahlias are hybrids so it could just be a that. I have a Dahlia Linda it blooms yellow but I noticed that one flower had a purple spot on it like someone dropped some ink on it and it ran. It was pretty cool looking. I think it happened because it is a hybrid.
I bet yours are pretty Dahlias!
Happy Gardening,
Laura
If they are in a crowded place or against a building with limited air circulation I remove the bottom foot of leaves. It makes for easier watering, fertilizing etc. anyway.
The one year I had mildew, it was on plants right next to the garage that didn't get much airflow. FWIW.
Anyone interested in dispelling fertilizing myths should read this article below. This experimenter proves that:
"Weak stems are not the result of too much nitrogen. In fact stems can be strengthen by fertilizing with additional nitrogen."
My experience has been the same. I use cow manure compost and a fertilize additionally once a week. I get thick strong stems.
Here is a link that might be useful: Mid-Island Dahlia society
Hi I tried this last year i planted a tall dahlia in a 14 in dim pot and I found that I only got about 5 blooms out of it and it grew about 3 feet the ones in the greund grew about 6 ft and had alot more boooms try both and see what you get bye for now Anna lisa
I am so glad I waited until well after May 1!
Today I gently dug a couple that hadn't showed above ground today - and found that one had rotted. Drat. I have one more of the Monets, however. It's in a warmer, drier spot, thank goodness, but i've learned to watch for just the right micro-climate...which appears to really mean NO heavy, COLD WET SOIL, for long anyway.
This year it seems that it will not stay at 70 degrees for more than a few minutes. And when it does, sure as heck, I've left a flat of seedlings somewhere with a bit too much sun, and they fry. So I set others in shade to harden off, and the Slugs have a fest! Ack. So it goes in the great NW. Gotta get back out & do more planting, and re-seed what the slugs ate.
Staring at colorful blooms keeps me from getting as much work done as planned. It's like a drug. Can't wait for the Dahlia blooms to take over. Many are showing strong foliage, so I know it's gona be great. Happy Spring!
pdxJules
(who spent an hour yesterday teaching the neighbor girls about bulbs, & deadheading, and how some flowers come back every year, and for some we can help by getting the seed in the ground...and how bees help pollinate flowers, and what seeds look like inside the pods. They are planting their first tomato plants today, yay!)
You didn't say how big they where but try digging one up and checking the tuber. If the tuber has some rot , cut the rot off and spray the cut with some lysol and replant.
Hope this helps.
Willow
Are your pots lifed up a bit so they can drain properly?? Sounds like they are water logged