3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Poochella- We had a really big frost again last night that got all the rest of the ones in the "Sheep Pen" garden. Walt started cutting down the '08 seedlings today & will begin digging them on Friday-- provided he's not fishing. The only good thing about not having dahlias so early is that this year the weather has been nice since the frost so he won't have to dig in the freezing rain-- yet!
It's just past midsummer here.
I've had a fine showing of dahlias, replanted late last year, some of them growing well over six feet tall with plenty of blossoms. However, I've noticed just recently that some have patches of leaves that have turned yellow and dry, almost like paper in texture. We have had some very hot days, but they are watered regularly. Is there something I can do to correct the problem?
Hi all Thank you for the compliments, will add some more images today though have been busy & not able to play on the web for a while?? allan
check out the link below for today's flowers?
Here is a link that might be useful: Dahlias out today
Many tubers without eyes will grow roots. Tubers without eyes will never grow into a plant. If you cannot see an eye or a sprout, put the tuber into a plastic bag with some damp potting mix and place the bag in a warm area,75-80 degrees. Check after a week or two. If there are eyes, they will sprout and the tuber will grow. If only the white roots are there you have a dud.
The best place to find deals on dahlias in your area is the local dahlia club. Members frequently trade tubers and the clubs hold sales of tubers at reasonable prices. If you are too far away from a club, perhaps you know somebody who is nearby. Here is a link to the clubs that sell tubers and detailed information on sales dates and locations:
Anyone grow the collarette dahlias?
Collarette dahlias are type of dahlia flower. They typically grow 3-5 feet tall. Bedding mix dahlias grown from seeds are variable in flower type but consistently grow less than two feet tall. The best bedding type dahlias are grown from tubers or cuttings. Two sources are Swan Island Dahlias and Corralitos Dahlias both of whom have web sites.
Hi roxborough & all, from my experience growth is dependent on temperature, by this I mean when temps., remains low then the tubers will remain dormant.
If the temps., are raised to minimum 10 oC with max temp., 15 oC + then the tubers will initiate growth, untill green foliage appears the presence of fertilizer will have minimal effect.
The use of a temperature dependent fertilizer (here in Australia we use 6month Osmocote exact) which as the temps., rise the fertilizer starts to be released, hence starts feeding the shooting tuber when they have green leaves.
I tend not to feed most tubers, until they have shown green shoots (this is when I use 6month Osmocote exact). Once the foliage has developed sufficiently I use stronger fertilizers.
Dahlias can be kept in flower during winter, by adding lights in the middle of the night for approx., one hour, as this sends false signals to the plant that the season is summer instead of winter. This is the reverse process to flowering poinsettia.
Am still curious how the US snow storms are going? as I do not watch TV often, hence tend to miss the news which would show images & give reports on the extent & severity?
From what I have seen, it looks very stressful (if not terrifying?) to say the least for many people. The forum is very quiet gives me the impression people are occupied else where? would like a quick summery if any one has the energy & inclination thank you allan
You should treat the plants as though they were growing in a greenhouse. If they are growing and it is warm enough to get them to grow, you should feed them with 20-20-20 soluble green house fertilizer after they have sprouted. It should be used at half the normal rate and done a couple of times a week. Sun and heat plus water and fertilizer is what grows plants. If there is enough light and it is warm enough, the addition of the fertilizer will give them a real kick start. Here in my garden, I have noticed that the earliest blooms come from the cuttings I take in early Spring and grow to about 12 to 18 inches tall before planting in the garden. I do not bother to to replant them into larger pots and they are in 2.5 inch pots. They are root bound and somewhat tall but have stiff stalks because of the fertilizer. Since they have such a developed root system, they can grow very quickly when planted. If I plant a tuber in the ground on the same day I plant the root bound cutting, the cutting blooms a full month before the tuber. At a trial garden for dahlias, they accept both rooted cuttings and tubers to trial. They plant the rooted cutting 3 weeks after they plant the tubers and the cuttings still bloom well before the tuber grown plants.
Dahlias are self regulating about their growth. In your area where there is no possibility of frost now, the dahlias will grow at their own rate depending on the weather. Remember they are native to the mountainous regions of Southern Mexico and they over winter just fine there. I would just let them grow and they will do just fine. Worst case would be that several weeks of totally wet weather sets them back in April or May. You have the advantage in your climate that you could cut the plants down to the ground in any month between February and June and still have lots of growing season to have flowers in August through October and maybe later.
I'm on a Yahoo Group. Go to the Colorado Dahlia Society web page for tons of information, including forums. I also think some of the individual societies around the world have their own chat groups.
If you can get to a dahlia meeting you will learn all you need to know, at least a lot of information.
You might also look at Dave's Garden, although I think you have to pay to post messages.
Ginny
Here is a link that might be useful: Colorado Dahlia Society
Why the "nevermind?" Did you just trash them or find information on the web about what to do with them? I've been growing dahlias for 20+ years. I love them!! I almost never divide them, but when I do I take a shovel and chop them into 4 parts, or so, and replant those.
One year I helped divide tubers by looking for the eye, etc. I did it under supervision but decided very quickly that it was easier to divide by shovel or buy new ones rather than take a chance on cutting my fingers.
Ginny
I don't know where in NY you live, but check and see if there is a local dahlia society there. If there is, they may sell tubers in the early spring as a fund raiser for their club. You will find many different varieties and a bunch of helpful, knowledgeable peopl as well!!
Christine
WHAT KIND OF SOIL DOES DAHILY SMARTY LIKE