3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
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.
Well although it's not consistently warm or sunny yet, it has warmed up and my dahlias are coming along in their pots. The one I was worried about has recovered nicely. I can't wait to see what happens when we get some proper heat (whoosh! growth!), and to see them bloom! Thanks for the reassurance earlier.
cnid
In my experience some are very slow to show eyes, some will sprout roots but never develop an eye (blind tuber,) and 3 out of 4 of Ron's that didn't have eyes, really DID have eyes that went on to grow.
Some are really hard to tell, you mark a spot that you think is an eye and nothing happens there, but one emerges in a place you wouldn't have suspected.
I still have a bunch in shallow potting soil waiting to show me an eye. Some are growing roots but I'm about ready to proclaim them compost.
I ordered from Corralitos Gardens earlier this spring. The plants are beautiful and are beginning to show buds.
It's my first time with Dahlias as well. I envy you your space..you can just get "one of everything". I agonized for a week over my choices as I was limited by space to only 6 plants.
Good Luck
If the plant is young I don't see why you can't just leave it as is, although the brown stems might not be attractive in the spring. Of course as fast as dahlias multiply you might want to divid after 1st year. Leaving stms on might be good though to know where it is so you wouldn't dig there. I have read somewhere in our zones where we have to dig each year that you cut back the foliage but don't leave it in the ground too long because water can seep thru the stems & rot the tuber. That would make it seem better to leave stems on.
Sorry about that..I read my post again. I meant to say that I was going to slash off the part labelled 'toast' (which I did) and not the unlabelled brown blob which is still intact. I will be putting it into a pot in the evening.. Will keep you all posted.
hehe dunno where to get a bob cat but mom always uses dried blood to keep the rabbits off her plants in the garden. Since rabbits are herbivors they dont like the smell or taste of dried blood so they let them alone. try it i dont know how if it does affect the plant. :o)
carrie
Blood meal is a good source of nitrogen, I just put around my Hosta and some other stuff. My dog sure is interested in the smell, but she is pretty good about staying out of the garden beds. The neighbor's canines are not....
I purchased it in the hope that it will repel those rotten rabbits and (in my dreams) deer. But I also am going to use "Liquid Fence".
In its native Mexico, Dahlia coccinea can occur as pure yellow flowers through orange and red to blackish scarlet blooms. Orange-red is probably the most common color. Occasionally, when different color plants cross, the offspring are parti-colored, or with rays that are bi-colored (e.g., orange and yellow). Dahlia coccinea will also form interspecific (= between species) hybrids with just about any other species with the same number of chromosomes. These include the species with lavender or purple flowers. The result is often a muddy tangerine color if the other parent was light lavender crossed with an orange-red. The darker the purple parent, the more likely the red will not mask it. The reason I mention this is because their US description says "Dahlia coccinea species mixed," which does not make a lot of sense. D. coccinea is itself a distinct species. Maybe they had separate species at one time but all got crossed in their fields. Anyway, as you say, it is always fun to see what turns out.
Forget the dahlias for a minute: Your dogs are just gorgeous! Ruby looks so bright eyed and ready to go! And the light one looks absolutely lovely and content.
Back to the subject- do you think it will freeze anymore in your location? I would hope you could put them out any time now, and if a freezing night hits again just put a box or bag or burlap cloak over the plants.
Hi GG, Could be any number of critters. In my garden, I have found that earwigs ( they leave behind dark droppings ) are the culprits. I inspect the plants often, and yesterday I found some kind of wormy caterpillar too...I innoculated all the plants and soil with "SoilSoup" an aerated compost tea, and then I sprayed one day with "Orange TKO" and the next with Greenlights Bug spray made with thyme, clove and sesame oils...It seems to control bugs, but I suppose I'll have a few holes in the leaves, as oppsoed to dead earthworms and other beneficials...Oh I also use "Envirepel" to help control bugs...I like to switch my sprays...also, you can roll up newspaper loosely and wrap with a rubber band, moisten it and lay it in the garden at dusk, then in the morning remove the paper roll...it might probably have lots of earwigs in it...trials and tribulations...happy growing~*~
You can grow them in a pot or you can usually find them at garden centers already in bloom now in pots. If you plant tubers now you will get blooms in Aug.
Blooms in August isn't a bad thing. That's why some call it a fall show!!..........