3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
If all goes well they'll get to be 2.5-3 ft tall. Looks like lots of bright colored flowers from the link. Give them a try!
Here is a link that might be useful: Bishops Children
Phyl
Hopefully your tubers won't turn to mush. I thought that had happened to mine too, but after reading alot about Dahlia's on the net it seems ground temps are important as well. All the tubers (about 10) have finally sprouted. I think next year I will give them a head start by planting in containers. I had done that in the past with alot of success.
Joe
I had three dahlia bulbs that were not showing any growth, while the rest of them were. I carefully dug up the bulbs to look at them. I had planted one upside down because the eye was not visible when I planted it, so it was taking the long way around the bulb to get through the soil. The other two were growing, but very slowly. I removed much of the dirt so they could get more sun, and I will mound the dirt back around them when they have grown a few inches above the soil.
What kind of dahlias are they? If they're large plants intending on going on to be 3-5' tall then you'd be better off putting them in a large multigallon pot or in the garden with some support.
If they are short bedding dahlias, a slightly larger pot or container with other plants should work.
The tagalong side buds in a bouquet help sell the flowers at market. Customers love that. Is that what you were asking Pooch? We don't necessarily want huge blossoms that may be desirable in your garden. And, we get more blossoms per plant. One that comes to mind that we do pinch is Almand Joy. Otherwise, it will get a short but huge blossom right there down in the middle of the plant. Drives me crazy.
Gosh something is curling up my wild ginger leaves, tight as a cigar. I unfurled one victim and sure enough there was a gross little whitish caterpillar inside. Ick.
Dahlias got a huge welcome dose of 80 degrees and pure sun, more in store for tomorrow. Believe me after 50-60 (barely) degrees and tons of rain, this is a most welcome change.
Laura are you going to be influenced by the Nor'easter I've heard predicted for the NE? Stay afloat and protect your dahlias.
Pooch
Hi Poochella,
By the time I read this the Nor easter was gone, but thanks! My Dahlias did just fine through it since they were in their pots on the front porch. I just planted them outside yesterday. Everyone wish me good luck since things are getting eaten in my other garden!
I borrowed a book from my library called, Bugs, Slugs and other Thugs and I think it might be cutworms damaging my other plants. I hope they don't find my Dahlias! I might make some collars to fit around them later today.
Happy Gardening,
Laura
KLK If they are two inches Below the mulch and you have at least a couple inches of mulch you should be just fine: i.e. tuber is 4 inches below somekind of garden soil/mulch.
That describes many of mine and they are coming up just fine and have fared well in the past planted this way.
I usually end up top dressing each plant with more compost material as the season wears on anyway, so that gives more protection and moisture retention.
Full sun is perfect. 90 days to bloom time, but often earlier by 10-20 days- depends on variety, weather etc.
Fertilizer is your choice. I have used Osmocote flower and veggie extended release for years, but this year I'm going with 10-10-10 to see if I get more blooms. It lasts for 60 days. I am too busy to use a fertilizer more often.
Sounds like you're off to a good start this year.
Hi Carol,
Some varieties just have shorter stems than others. What dahlia is it? Or how tall is it destined to be according to the tag?
If you have a border dahlia it will behave more like a mum, lots of blooms on short sprays of stems and I don't think there's anything you can do.
Plant in an area with only 6 hours of light and you will get longer stems. Full sun makes a more compact plant. Learned this by trial and error putting them in various ploaces in the yard.