Dahlias

Hi @JackJJW, I have sprinkled on several handfuls. Probably 2 per metre. It's pellets. I will also pop a bit of plant magic food in with each one when I plant them.

 

Just checked mine there. I was surprised to see them doing so well. Just in an unheated greenhouse


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I would wait a little bit longer woo, until threats of frosts have passed. If you need to put them in a bigger pot then so be it.
Also protect from slugs and snails or your successful little shoots will be nibbled to nothing!
When you do plant out add some compost or fertilser and give them plenty of room, I've had first year tubers reach 2ft high by 1.5 foot across!
This was summer 2014.

 

I think that's 4 tubers in total there, 2 'natal' pom Pom and 2 decoratives- one is garden wonder and the other English breakfast.

 

Ok, maybe there are 2 English breakfast- found another pic.

 

This was taken a week ago so they're bigger now. I have mine outside in pots but won't actually plant most of them til later in the month. As Charlis says, to avoid danger of frost. Our garden is more sheltered than most so they have been outside in pots for a fortnight but I can easily bring back in or cover with fleece if weather drops again. Although it looks like it's on the way up now.

I have 15 new rooted cuttings arriving this week which will need potting up. Then I just need to decide what stays in the garden and what goes down the allotment.


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I'm finding it hard to work out the correct height of Dahlias. They all seem to vary compared to online sizes. Are Pom poms generally smaller do you know?

 

Those pictured weren't pinched out I don't think. I've found dahlias in the ground fairly sturdy except some decoratives as the flower heads get quite heavy- especially when wet.
I did have one decorative reach about 1 metre tall last year but it wasn't in full sun.
I'm growing all of mine in a bed in full sun this year as I think you get the strongest growth and most flowers that way. I only have 2 labelled tubers (I don't care much for labels ) so it's all going to be a bit riotous but I'll use lots for cutting so I don't mind.

 

Almost time to start putting outside I reckon a bit of hardening off and you're there

 

15 new Dahlias for this year [emoji2]


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Morning wiseowl, it depends on the size of them. For instance, the Gallery and Bishop series of Dahlias are quite small and I plant those ones about 30 - 40 cm from each other. But the showy ones like Hillcrest Royal and other big flowers do get very big and will need to be 60 - 75 cm from each other, yes.

I have the same problem. In my bed/raised bed I only really have room for two large Dahlias (three at a push) otherwise they will completely shade out all other plants.