3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Deep Breathe and relax- OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMM.
You can't hurt it, much. I bet if you ran a mower over the whole growth, it would revisit you in a few weeks and go on to produce beautiful flowers. I could be wrong, but my hope springs eternal.
The plant will find a way to get around whatever you have done to it. Pretend you're a big juicy slug, just for moment, that slithered up and chewed off the part you pinched... The plant will try its best to survive the assault, and I bet it will.
I usually wait til they're about 12-18 inches tall and pinch out the center growth because I don't have time to count leaf pairs and don't have good enough vision to see cotyledons. Cotyledons, Schmotyledons is my motto. Although I reserve the right to change my mind about them....
Just don't worry. I bet you'll get some good laterals showing up in a few days' or weeks' time and they will go on to produce a decent plant.
I bought similar bag from Wal-mart, the lady in garden center told me, they are about the same height and size, just follow instruction on the bag (smaller variety in one bag, larger ones in one bage, they don't mix them together). She showed me a bag of lily (35 bulbs), they will be differnt in size, nothing to worry about that either, instruction gives mimnum distance between bulbs; some do not need so much space, plant it like it says anyway. How did your tulip come out? I'd assume although some tall, some short, they should be fine.
I am in Zone 5 and start all my dahlias in pots and I have good sized plants to put out in the garden at planting time.They bloom earlier, that way you can enjoy them in bloom longer.
The assorted varieties meaning,dinnerplates,decorative,cactus etc.They all grow the same height,just the flower size is different.
If you are positive your frost is over, then go for planting it in the bed. If there is a chance of frost, I'd put it in a pot, and then plant outdoors when there will be no frost. Alternately, you may be able to tarp the plant if a frost does come. You know your area better than most of us, weatherwise. We only use pots because we get frost so late. Here, sometimes in early June. Oh, how we envy you at this time of year.
Oh you're fine if you want to plant them in beds now. I've left mine in the ground over winter here and they were fine. One advantage to starting in the pots though, is that if there are multiple sprouts from one tuber, you can cut it making two plants instead of one big one. Probably will grow better too...
No, no! It's "off with it's tail!" I just inquired again today (at another tuber sale LOL) that extra long or fat potato-like tubers can be slow or sap energy otherwise directed to shooting that plant skyward. Twice now I've been told it's A-OK to cut off up to half of the tuber, let it callous over, treat with antifungal if you wish and plant it.
As long as it has an eye, and some tuber to support that eye growth, it should survive and thrive. Last year I lost more than a few to rot but saved two half rotted ones by chopping the rotted end of the tuber off and replanting. They went on to grow and flower with only 1-2 inches of tuber stump supporting them. And made more tubers.
I was just stunned to see 'Mazama' tubers at the sale in the more usual one-half to one inch thick x 3-4 inch long size. The ones I harvested are all like sweet potatoes! Nubby fat, tubby, huge sweet potatoes. What does anyone think made mine so chunky? Too much chips and dip?
I have not been able to find that particular dahlia anywhere for you. I have looked and looked. I did see a birthday card with it on it, but no live plant. It is really pretty. Good luck in your search. If you find it, let us know where, thanks.
Landrover, cut off the spent/rained off flower heads back to the nearest branch or stem. They should continue to produce buds/blooms for you "all summer" like the ads say. You don't want to let a plant go to seed though, or it will think it's done it's reproducing job and be done.
If you keep cutting flowers (or shearing off the old blooms) it will have to bud some more to try to keep itself or it's offspring on Earth.
Here you go.
I've never grown from seed. I lost the seeds I received last winter : ( Maybe they'll turn up yet...
Here is a link that might be useful: Dahlia care- including from seed
You can sow them directly in the garden esp. if they are the little ones. The bigger ones should be started earlier indoors & planted out when the weather warms up.
You don't have to treat them with anything.
Tubers will form & can be divided for more next year.
Not I, sorry. Have you tried Garden Watchdog?
Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Watchdog
Hi: I just received my dahlia order from Art's two days ago. Very nice tubers all with visible sprouts. Nicely packaged in small ziploc bags and a small amount of vermiculite. Great labelling with good picture of tuber enclosed. My order arrived right on schedule, order filled correctly. I would highly recommend. I am pleased. SusanM
I had a few that did that as well. What I thought was up, was down. Well, Mother Nature won. As soon as I realized what was happening, I took the tuber, and placed it sprout side up, and then potted. Honestly, sometimes it is VERY difficult to tell which side is up, if the eyes have not swollen yet.
If I were you, I'd repot.
I have a couple aiming Back toward the root end of the tuber. I trust they will seek the light and warmth and aim up eventually. If a shoot was really pointing downward, I'd turn the tuber to let the shoot aim up. Roots should still form normally. I hope.
Ladies, please help! Mine did ok in the sun here in my area, however, I'm not really sure when to plant them in the ground here in Danville Va. Last year I started them up in pots,....this year I have too many to start that way. Need advice. Thanks! Margaret
Where are they now? If they're in storage you could bring them out to be exposed to light, but still need to protect from freezing. Then you can see which are going to have eyes for sure and go on to plant them.
Below is copied from MSN house and home. Warmer soil and no frost is the guide for outdoor planting. I am in zone 7 and aim for the end of April.
Poochella
**Outdoor planting can begin as soon as all threat of frost is past. Dahlias perform best in a sunny location with rich, well-drained soil. To improve a heavy clay soil, work in plenty of organic matter, such as peat and compost. Mature height dictates planting depth and spacing.
Set tubers of tall types (more than 2-1/2 feet) 3 to 4 inches deep and 20 inches apart. Shorter varieties should be planted 2 to 3 inches deep and 10 inches apart. If you buy nursery-grown plants at local greenhouses, plant them at the level they grew in their pots.**
David, mine are currently planted in a mix of 2/3 soilless coconut fibre, and 1/3 potting soil. When I transplant to the garden, the amount of soil in the mixture will increase, but I do want the medium to maintain moisture, and also feed the plant. I will also be adding miracle grow or some other fertilizer via watering.
Pinch off the lower leaves & plant deeper & you will get more tubers in the fall from where all the leaves were pinched off. When we plant the new seedling babies out in the field Walt always takes off at least 2 sets of leaves & plants deep- just like tomatoes.
BTW-- 189 new "seedling babies" as of yesterday!! Love SPRING!!
Now that is a good "trick of the trade" to know. Thanks for that good advice. Actually, that is what I would have done, but I did not know that one can expect tubers to grow from the node. COOL.