We are growing flowers for our farmers market next year. I hadn't thought about dahlias until recently someone told me i could dig them up and store them for winter and it would be fine..Is this true? I thought you had to be in zone 8 to grow them..i dont know much about dahlias!!! and we are in zone 5 soon to be 6 though i think,its getting warm.. Also would it be too much of a hassle to grow them when i could grow so many other flowers that are hardier? .thanks i appreciate any help
coral

Yes, you have to dig them up every year but you can divide them and get more plants in subsequent years.

Yes, they are only hardy to about zone 8 but microclimates farther north can wintered them.

Types.. that is up to you. The larger the plant/flower, the more water and fertilizer (within ratio to the water), but everything else is the same… light…care.. ect.. same ease of maintenance/care.

They are wonderful to grow and quite inexpensive once you make the initial purchase of each variety and then divide every year to plant more individual plants.

I hope that helps!

One amazing thing about Dahlias is that you can cut from them for weeks and weeks and as long as they are happy, you will get tons of blooms all season.

Where in z5 are you? I am on the WI/IL border

Cheers

Keriann~

I would suggest going to the Swan Island Dahlia site. They specifically mention which ones are long stemmed , and therefore good for cut flowers. My observation is plants with largest blooms on the longest stems produce the fewest flowers so if you need bulk, you may have to compromise on the size of the blooms.

Thanks for the advice kerrian it helps of course... Where am i? Im in Pemberton BC Canada. Its a few hours north of vancouver. Since posting Ive met my neighbour who has a few dahlia plants. How great is that? So she too gave me some good advice..I'll be spending lots of time reading this forum and thanks madolls i'm looking into swan island...

I would spend the winter searching this forum on where to find the best tubers for your buck. Soem bulk store tubers do great and they are worth the investment. Some specific types from more expensive farms are also very worth the money because they are different, unusual and special.

Dahlias are really easy to grow and I would HIGHLY suggest starting them indoors in the spring so you get blooms sooner in the season.

This far north, starting them 3 weeks early gives me blooms 45 days earlier than the ones I planted directly.

Have fun and post often to get reviews and suggestions on hardy varities :)

Keriann~