Can't help you with your problem. Would like to know how are your Dahlias doing in your part of New York.

I grew Curly Que a few years back. It was pretty enough the first year, scraggly the second, and I didn't try it again. The flowers aren't that great after the first flush, and, if I recall correcly, the stems are only average if you like to cut flowers.

If you have to have that swirling petal of an incurved cactus I have no recommendations, but if you want a wonderful, prolific, and reliable pale pink cutflower go for Miss Rose Fletcher.