3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias

Penn's Gift is a monster, fuller than Emory Paul. Ivory Palaces is large and full. Kelvin Floodlight- a large dinnerplate. There are probably 10,000 others..

Follow the link to many gorgeous blooms from Wynne's Dahlias. They specialize in large dahlias with many original varieties. And oh so pretty I might add!

Here is a link that might be useful: Wynne's supersize dahlias

The summer of 2003 we had a Wanda's Moonlight with a bloom that measured 17" across & 14" deep! It was the first bloom & down in the plant so I couldn't get a really good picture of it but there are pictures of later blooms on the same plant in our albums at the site given in the previous answer. Sir Alfred Ramsey is another biggie but very frequently will "beard" so is not as attractive as some. We won Best AA & Biggest in show in 3 shows in 2003 with Zorros that were huge. They have a wonderful form & don't sag on you! Love those AA's that are a bouquet in themselves!

Hi Patty,
Big clumps are hard to handle and will produce fewer blooms of lesser quality than one or two healthy tubers. (Says she who left 6 clumps in the ground last winter.)They keep reproducing tubers each year, and get more difficult to handle.

Dividing is a great way to get more tubers for planting or sharing. You should be able to see which ones on the clump are developing eyes or growth buds and make your cuts accordingly. I think people advise if in doubt about dividing individual tubers,just cut the clump into halves or quarters and hopefully you'll have something that grows out of each bunch.
I would let the fresh cuts dry over and even dust the cut area with sulphur before they go into the ground though.

Good Luck in your second year of dahlias.
Poochella

Here is a link that might be useful: Dividing Tubers

This is my 4th year growing them, in the ground and in pots. I did not divide 3 clumps that I put in the ground a few years ago and last year they were pretty lame indeed. The other ones that I divided did just as well as when I first bought them.
So in a nutshell, my completely un-scientific opinion is to divide em!

Hi Murka, fellow zone 5 gardener from Ontario:

I would be tempted to put in no more than 5 dahlias in the 24 x 24 pot. They don't want to be too crowded, and you will need to pinch the lower area so that moisture does not become a problem, hence mold.

Actually, 3 large dahlias would be nice. I particularly like the cactus style, with about a 4-6 inch flower. If you pinch the lead steam, it will branch out for you, and you will have plenty of flowers. I had two dahlias in a slightly smaller plant last year, and they did very well, and looked spectacular.

Only plant a few inches, not too deep. If you plant outside around May 20, you may have to protect them from frost, but that is quite easy in a 24x24 planter. Put in a couple of stakes when you plant the tuber, so that you can tie them up later in the season, and you can also throw a sheet over top, in the event of frost. Where I live, near Guelph, we often get frost up to early June, so we have to be prepared.

I start my dahlias before most, and keep them under lights. However, if you have really good southern exposure windows, you should be able to give them a head start.

Good luck. Keep us informed as to how you are progressing.

I second the 3 to a pot idea, especially if they are the bigger types. I'm still learning about what they like, but the ones I crowded too much didn't perform as well as the others. You will be very happy with em.

It would definitely help to give them something to feed on. Mine are in compost and I feed them bulb meal and fish emulsion several times a year.

Most of mine are planted in acidic soil, so I don't know what others will say about the lime, I think they like a bit of acid in their soil. I dig to a depth of 12-14 inches, plant at a depth of 4-6 inches. This allows plenty of room for tubers to develop underground. I add compost every year and mulch with more to maintain moisture. sounds like your stunted veggie patch might benefit from some more nutrients.

Dahlia roots are fairly shallow, hence the advice not to do anything but superficial weeding. I don't know that I'd even make raised beds unless you like the look of them.
Good luck!
Poochella

You really don't need a raised bed. I dig a hole in the ground about 12" deep and 12-20" dia. I sift the lousy soil from the hole through a 3/8" X 3/8" screen and into a wheel barrow. I take the rocks and put them somewhere else on the property. I mix compost, top soil, and some pete with the sifted lousy brown soil. I put a few inches in the bottom of the hole. Place the tuber. Stake. Fill the hole with remaining good dirt. Water and watch them grow like crazy. I use the same holes every year sometimes making new ones. This cuts down on the work from year to year.

Try this address ot do a Google search for 'The Big List" Dahlias. There are several companies that sell "Lula Pattie" for example. And good luck with your search!!

www.dahlias.net/dbiglist.htm

Hi Loretta,
Follow the link to the big list of suppliers, many with online catalogs. Florida doesn't show any dahlia association sales coming up. The closest looks like it would be in Atlanta, but there are many people here who have ordered from various suppliers with complete satisfaction. No reason you can't do it too!
Good luck,
Poochella

Here is a link that might be useful: Dahlia Suppliers

You can order from any of the suppliers- they will ship when it's time to plant in your area --or earlier if you want to start them indoors or do cuttings.

why you want to dig them now??? did they survive the witer??? if did leave them alone. they should be o.k. what zone you are in ???? here zone 5 they will never survine in winter too cold , good luck

Ione, I bet if you dig them up carefully you will find shoots formed already. The winter, here at least, has been so mild. You can dig, decide if you want to divide to get more plants and replant. The worst you'll find are some rotted tubers which should be removed from the clump.

I have successfully left clumps in the ground without problems, but dig most of them annually.
Good luck,
poochella