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Post by carolann on Feb 16, 2011 8:46:26 GMT
I have become a fan of Dahlia's over the last few years I wouldnt get them because of the earwigs but now I have a few which I dig up at the seasons end and store in the spare bedroom in paper bags with each colour on the bags so I know what is what but last year I did leave 3 in the GH in dry compost with a fleece over the top the tubers feel OK but we shall see. You got some lovely ones there RF, Tig I got Peaches and cream last year but it was more Peach than Cream but that could be just my soil.
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Post by Geranium on Feb 16, 2011 10:09:43 GMT
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 16, 2011 12:11:09 GMT
I did'nt realise you were opening this year Geranium. What a lot of work it is for you.
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Post by Geranium on Feb 16, 2011 13:28:07 GMT
You're right there, LG. A lot more than previous years, as I'll have to dig up the casualties and think what to put in their place.
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Post by Missredhead on Feb 16, 2011 13:48:06 GMT
Do you treat them like annuals, then, or do they develop tubers? They do develop tubers after being in the ground but 2 years ago I dug them up and stored them in the shed and they went mouldy so last year I left them in but they have gone all soggy, my garden doesnt dry out very much unless we have a really hot summer. The trees tend to shade it from the sun. |
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 17, 2011 21:53:58 GMT
Sorry to butt in & hijack a question meant for Missy, Geramium but this is a tuber of Dahlia coccinea that I grew from seed it had been in the ground about 4 years before I managed to get it out this Spring.  I absolutely love all the different ones mentioned on here, but I'm a bit scared of dahlias now, apart from the Bishops I grow safely in pots  Jillyx  I bet that put your back out Jilly, it's huuuuuuuge. I looked at Dahlias the other day in the GC but restrained myself, for how long I'm not sure ;D |
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 18, 2011 5:58:19 GMT
That tuber is enormous Jilly  It still amazes me that a tiny little dahlia seed can turn into a tuber like that! |
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Post by Amber on Feb 18, 2011 8:33:42 GMT
Ooo lovely Tog - does anyone know how easy it is to take cuttings and if so when is the best time?? RF Cuttings are very easy, and now is the time to start them off.  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 18, 2011 11:58:46 GMT
Thanks amber, and Welcome to GWD.
What would happen if you took cuttings in August and tried to over winter the plants - would they just go barmy and out of control??
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 18, 2011 12:09:32 GMT
I don't think they'd survive Rf but perhaps someone else would know. I've sowed my Collerette Dandy and Redskin. Many thanks Rf for the seeds. :)Still no germination from the Bishops Children  |
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 18, 2011 13:01:34 GMT
I don't have much (any actually) success with late summer cuttings RF - I think now really is the best time for dahlia cuttings - they take so easily.
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 18, 2011 13:09:15 GMT
Basically though you are just cutting off all the fresh growth I suppose - how long do the cuttings have to be then..
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 18, 2011 14:33:36 GMT
Yes you are - I find it quite hard to do but you have to think that of the next lot of growth coming through. I usually deal with cuttings about 4 to 5" long. Dahlias are something else I put in water in jam jars - I have far more luck that way than in compost.
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 18, 2011 15:27:58 GMT
I was tempted to buy some tubers the other day at the GC, I resisted  Had thought about getting them going for cuttings but they were a bit erm poor/limp looking. I did find some seeds the other day left over from the ones I sowed back in the 2008 trials, not sure how viable they are but I've sown them, they are Stargazer a dwarf cactus type. |
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Post by Tig on Feb 18, 2011 15:55:51 GMT
OK, these are my last dahlia purchases this year (honest ), and I need stuff to fill lots of gaps caused by the harsh winter. I've brought home Uncle Hankey Avignon Musette Playa Blanca and a lovely small one called Purpinka I think I have bought enough different heights to get a show front to back of the borders - only time will tell. And if they look as good as the pictures on the front of the packs it should be lovely. I'm interested to see if my Peaches & Cream has any cream Carolann! x Tig |
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Post by Geranium on Feb 18, 2011 17:10:13 GMT
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 18, 2011 17:11:44 GMT
Flaming gremlins, I'd written a reply and it's lost.
Nice selection Tig, I especially like Playa Blanca.
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Post by Geranium on Feb 18, 2011 17:14:56 GMT
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 18, 2011 17:19:40 GMT
Just to go off topic for a second - I can post and do not lose my posts, even when I lose contact - I am still waiting for an answer in the USA for the reason. I will post on the Gremlins thread as soon as I know what is happening.
RF
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Post by Dutchy on Feb 18, 2011 18:49:48 GMT
Do Gremlins have tubers? ;D
Things seem fine again.
I did cuttings and it worked out well but I think this year I will go for lazy and just do the tubers.
Starting on April 1st. Somehow April fools day feels good ;D
I will pre grow in black polythene crates with newspares in the bottom. Compost layer of app 1 inch on top then the tubers and then mound compost on until tubers are invisible. ( usually I can fit three to 4 tubers in in one crate)
This is also the way I start when I do do cuttings.
Bung the lot in the CF and wait for things to grow.
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Post by Amber on Feb 18, 2011 21:58:01 GMT
I've been reading this thread with great interest  ....you may have gathered I like Dahlias.....lol......I'm a bit of a novice really; only been growing them for a short while....this will be my third season, and learning as I go along. Fortunately I have a friend who is an expert and shows at Harrogate as well as lots of his local shows. You should see the hardware he has won I grow the exhibition varieties but the growing methods are the same for garden dahlias too. I only have one local show to exhibit in and as its in the middle of August, I'm having to take my cuttings now to get a head start. I set my tubers in an open multi purpose compost, with the bottom of the old stem just above the compost. I water them in well and add a sprinkle of slug pellets to deal with any eggs that may be hiding among the tubers. I set the trays of tubers on a heated bench and spray occasionally to encourage them to shoot. I took my first cuttings 4/5 days ago; set in module trays. I will use these cuttings as my "pot tubers" for next year, as, for some reason, the plant quality is not quite so good as later plant material. I make sure I leave a tiny piece of stem on the tuber as this encourages more and more shoots to appear. Thats it for now, don't want to bore you all  ....I'll sort out some pics over the weekend. Trays of shooting tubers  |
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Post by JennyWrenn on Feb 19, 2011 5:43:02 GMT
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 19, 2011 7:31:42 GMT
I've been reading this thread with great interest ....you may have gathered I like Dahlias.....lol......I'm a bit of a novice really; only been growing them for a short while....this will be my third season, and learning as I go along. Fortunately I have a friend who is an expert and shows at Harrogate as well as lots of his local shows. You should see the hardware he has won I grow the exhibition varieties but the growing methods are the same for garden dahlias too. I only have one local show to exhibit in and as its in the middle of August, I'm having to take my cuttings now to get a head start. I set my tubers in an open multi purpose compost, with the bottom of the old stem just above the compost. I water them in well and add a sprinkle of slug pellets to deal with any eggs that may be hiding among the tubers. I set the trays of tubers on a heated bench and spray occasionally to encourage them to shoot. I took my first cuttings 4/5 days ago; set in module trays. I will use these cuttings as my "pot tubers" for next year, as, for some reason, the plant quality is not quite so good as later plant material. I make sure I leave a tiny piece of stem on the tuber as this encourages more and more shoots to appear. Thats it for now, don't want to bore you all ....I'll sort out some pics over the weekend. Trays of shooting tubers That really is interesting Amber and not at all boring....two things stick out immediately... a) you don't cover the tubers totally - I always have done for some reason... b) the trick with the slug pellets incase of eggs is a marvellous tip - makes me wonder if that hasn't been a problem for me before... Jasmine says that she roots in water and you root in compost - think I will have to try both and see what works better for me. Yes please to seeing the pics....really looking forward to them, thanks. RF |
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Post by andy on Feb 19, 2011 8:46:59 GMT
Just to say that we used to grow our dahlias in exactly the same way as Amber for our dahlia walk in Brighton. Warmth is the key especially with forcing the tubers into growth and then more warmth with the cuttings.....a heated propagator or put them in a poly bag is ideal.
The cuttings root well usually and a light, multipurpose compost (compost / pearlite 50/50 mix) is ideal....it might be worth trying them in pure pearlite.
We then used to plant our tubers up in the nursery for stock and send the cuttings down to the park. Most will make a decent plant by the end of July.
One thing dahlias hate is being in dry soil. Keep them well watered and well fed and you'll have superb plants.
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 19, 2011 9:06:01 GMT
Some great and timely tips there Amber and Andy. Many thanks. My new tubers are all potted up and I've left the stalk thingy up above the compost. Is this right? I'm not too concernted on taking cuttings this year, I want to know what colour the plants are first. JW I have no idea but I'd guess they came from them somhow just as different roses have different parents.  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 19, 2011 9:12:39 GMT
I agree LG - some great tips. Unfortunately I cannot get Pearlite here in Germany...I have trailed through shops and the Internet but I can't find anything and when I ask they look at me as though I need locking up!!
The last Pearlite I bought in the UK and used it all up a couple of years ago...it is good stuff.
My cellar garden is proving fantastic and things are already coming through with the grow lamps. I still have the 14 new Dahlia's to find room for...it is full down there.
Sue
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 19, 2011 9:46:51 GMT
That was a really good idea Rf to set up the grow lights the way you did. I'm glad to hear it's working well for you. There are going to be a lot of Dahlia around this year. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 19, 2011 9:53:23 GMT
Yes I am really chuffed LG - even OH is happy - well after the first lot of moaning...
I have just been down there and working on the "Dahlia's need warmth" situation I have moved some Begonia's into the guest bedroom and might just have enough room now to plant the rest of my Dahlia tubers....
As we are back to biting East winds and minus temperatures I am really pleased that it is working.
RF
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Post by andy on Feb 19, 2011 11:14:43 GMT
My dahlia 'clangers mixed' seedlings ;D Need potting this week  |
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Post by Amber on Feb 21, 2011 21:26:00 GMT
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It still amazes me that a tiny little dahlia seed can turn into a tuber like that!
Had thought about getting them going for cuttings but they were a bit erm poor/limp looking. I did find some seeds the other day left over from the ones I sowed back in the 2008 trials, not sure how viable they are but I've sown them, they are Stargazer a dwarf cactus type.
