Dahlia alternative...?

I pricked my Dahlias out a couple of days ago, once they get going they grow quickly. I've sowed some more today too.

I also went round uncovering all the ones left in the ground today to let them feel the sun.

 

You can get smaller varieties from tubers, it's not just the bigger ones that are sold that way.

 

I've I've always liked Zinnias, less leafy than dahlias and I would say the flowers last longer, also do better in dryer conditions.




Probably would need twice as many plants as dahlias to cover the same area imo.

 

Yes most definitely you would Pete.

 

Yes, I know . I actually did order dwarf/compact dahlia tubers from Farmer Gracy but none of the 4 they sent me actually were. In fact they were pretty much all wrong and I ended up getting reimbursed. That's why I've decided to try smaller varieties from seed instead this time.

 

Hi,

Also sowed ours last weekend but in quiet low heat , about 14c -15c , though over half have now sprouted.
We used the small plastic seed tray cells and put 2 seeds in each cell and just remove the second one if it sprouts so we do not have to pot them on until they are much larger, unless they get very leggy.

@DMM asssume you have some form of heat, protection - greenhouse / windowcill, as though sunny by day its down to near 0c at night.

 

Yes, I had one pot not germinate at all whilst the two sown in soil from the same bag burst out in record time A lot of soil blocks are not germinated either but I do believe a couple of them look as though they are starting to push up in the middle so I will leave re-sowing those for a few more days just to give them a little more time.

 

Nope. At least no heat to speak of. On a South facing windowsill though in a long cell thingie seed tray with a cover. They'll be fine. If not I'll go buy some established ones in April/May. It's all about the trying/experience isn't it? Ha ...... we'll find out. Well I will. Whoo hoo

 

Can you explain please re the bit that says 'put 2 seeds in each cell and just remove the second one if it sprouts' ? Does that mean you destroy the second one? Or ..... ???

 

Hi,

Often some of the seeds will not germinate so if you sow two seeds in each cell , if one comes up ok then fine, if two come up you will need to remove the second smaller one.

Some cell will not have anything come up, so you can transplant those spare seedlings into them.

If you are lucky and a lot germinate then yes you will have to discard the excess or plant them into new cells if you want more.

The other way is to sow all the seeds into a 3 -5" pot, let them germinate and then transplant into cells or small pots.

The advantage of sowing into cells is the reduced transplanting and so generally better growth.

 

Ah OK. I get it. [I think!!] I hate destroying anything with life so if 2 come up I will give the 2nd a chance too .........

 

As a new gardener its natural that you will sow and grow more plants than you actually need, though some folk do find they can easily give away any excess young plants.

When starting from seed, would suggest 45% of the time not enough germinate, 45% of the time too many germinate and 10% of the time you get the right amount, thats nature.

 

Hi again ......... how are things getting on Dahlia wise for you? My Bambino plants are looking fabulous ....... very promising in comparison to the 'Figaro' which are looking rather leggy and insipid in comparison. Both treated to the exact same growing conditions and have pinched out when able to for both lots. Bambino are definitely looking to be on the winning side ........ so far so good for those!

 

Hi @DMM ,

Started off some Bambino along with Unwins Dwarfs and some Zinnias.
In the greenhouse the Bambino were only about half the size of the Unwins, but since putting them both out into the cold frame the other week the Bambinos seem to have caught up and little to choose between them
The tray on the left are Unwins and some Zinnias, the right tray Bambino.

Though a lot warmer its a stong wind and as we found out in previous years if we put them out they just take a real beating, plus letting them form flower buds lets you choose the colours as you plant them.

Just getting the magnifiers out to sort out a mealy bug attack on our indoor cactus, nasty little things !
We did go to specsavers but have not got used to the new ones yet, so missed the early signs of the outbreak .

 

Oooh they do look nice and healthy ... all of them!

Yuk mealy bugs ..... lol re specsavers