Dahlias

Hi all, i live in Outback Queensland in Australia and im a brand new wanna be gardener. I have just germinated 2 colours of Dahlias (as well as many other flower seeds) indoors under lights and im looking forward to getting them into the garden soon. I can give them water and food just hoping they cope with the heat...but hey...as a new clueless gardener i cant expect too much.

 

Hi CC , I presume Queenslands climate would be sub-tropical ? That's a bit beyond my dahlia growing expertise , hopefully our Gurus can help . My Dahlias have done quite well in the NW UK sub artic summer of 2015

 

They originate from Mexico which I guess is a sub tropical climate, I done a quick search
of Queensland December temperatures and it says about 32.c ? which should be ok but
Dahlias do like plenty of water and a good feed...good luck with your
Dahlias ccanguseulo

 

As we are inland and 1000 km from the coast our area is probably best described as arid zone. Our humidity is very low during the warmer months but our maximum summer temperatures reach 47c in the shade during the heat of the day and sometimes only cool to 35c during the night. So i suppose we'll find out how much sun and heat the Dahlia can withstand.

 

Hi Harry,

My reply above best descibes our climate. Ill take your advice and keep feeding them. The garden beds are irrigated so keeping the water to them will be quite simple. Im an optimistic bugger so im hoping to be able to post some pics of amazing Dahlias in a few months time.

 

As they say Ccanguseulo , you always have two chances with plants - they live or die !
I think in 47°c I would die , and its along way to the beach where you are

 

The giant Dahlias are a new venture for me this year. I was hoping to show these at a local show but they are about two weeks too early. Hopefully some others that are coming along will be ready in time. At least next year I will have a better idea of what I am doing.

 

Wow Billy! Show or no show, they are magnificent!! I'd say you already know what you're doing from those photos... I have some that are only just starting to bud up. I hope they won't take too long to get to your stage

 

Does any one know, do Dahlias give one burst of flower, and then a few sporadic flowers if you keep dead heading? Or do they just keep on pumping them out if you deadhead to maintain the same show as when they start?

I know I'll find out in the next few weeks anyway, but I'm just curious as to what to expect

 

My experience is that Dahlias continue to flower for a long period once they start.
The flower quality does tend to tail off later in the season, but still a long way to go for Dahlias just yet.

 

Great, thank you. I was worried it might be a one hit wonder, then the odd flower. But it sounds like they will be well worth the effort

 

I think Dahlias are always worth the effort

 

Its show time tomorrow and I am pinning my Dahlia hopes on this Sir Alf Ramsey. All I have to do now is cut it and hope it stays alive until at least 4pm tomorrow.

 

Forgive me if im preaching to the converted !!!
Dahlias will grow and flower strongly right up until the first frost.

 

Regular dead heading helps of course.
Really pleased with mine this year . I grew Bishops children from seed last year , the saved tubers are putting on quite a show with a few cactus dahlias at the back.
I plan to fill the flower bed with them next year. A bed off mixed Dahlia are always admired by anyone visiting