Dahlias

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by JackJJW, Mar 28, 2015.

  1. ccanguseulo

    ccanguseulo Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2015
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +5
    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.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 28, 2010
      Messages:
      8,906
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Wigan
      Ratings:
      +16,249
      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 :biggrin:
       
    • intel

      intel Gardener

      Joined:
      May 17, 2012
      Messages:
      418
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Kent UK
      Ratings:
      +497

      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
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • ccanguseulo

        ccanguseulo Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 15, 2015
        Messages:
        3
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +5
        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.
         
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • ccanguseulo

          ccanguseulo Apprentice Gardener

          Joined:
          Aug 15, 2015
          Messages:
          3
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +5
          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.
           
          • Like Like x 2
          • HarryS

            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

            Joined:
            Aug 28, 2010
            Messages:
            8,906
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Wigan
            Ratings:
            +16,249
            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 :biggrin:
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • Funny Funny x 1
            • Billybell

              Billybell Gardener

              Joined:
              Oct 24, 2013
              Messages:
              131
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired and spending my kids inheritence.
              Location:
              West Yorks
              Ratings:
              +532
              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.

              IMG_0318.JPG IMG_0319.JPG IMG_0320.JPG
               
              • Like Like x 5
              • JackJJW

                JackJJW Super Gardener

                Joined:
                Nov 6, 2013
                Messages:
                701
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Community and Content Director
                Location:
                Clapham, London
                Ratings:
                +1,559
                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 :)
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • JackJJW

                  JackJJW Super Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Nov 6, 2013
                  Messages:
                  701
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Community and Content Director
                  Location:
                  Clapham, London
                  Ratings:
                  +1,559
                  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 :)
                   
                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                  Joined:
                  Jan 9, 2005
                  Messages:
                  51,592
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired
                  Location:
                  Mid Kent
                  Ratings:
                  +95,560
                  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.
                   
                  • Agree Agree x 3
                  • Informative Informative x 1
                  • JackJJW

                    JackJJW Super Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Nov 6, 2013
                    Messages:
                    701
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Community and Content Director
                    Location:
                    Clapham, London
                    Ratings:
                    +1,559
                    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 :)
                     
                    • Friendly Friendly x 1
                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                      Joined:
                      Jan 9, 2005
                      Messages:
                      51,592
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Retired
                      Location:
                      Mid Kent
                      Ratings:
                      +95,560
                      I think Dahlias are always worth the effort:smile:
                       
                      • Agree Agree x 6
                      • Billybell

                        Billybell Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Oct 24, 2013
                        Messages:
                        131
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Retired and spending my kids inheritence.
                        Location:
                        West Yorks
                        Ratings:
                        +532
                        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.
                        IMG_0325.JPG

                        IMG_0326.JPG
                         
                        • Like Like x 3
                        • Agent Orange

                          Agent Orange Professional Amateur

                          Joined:
                          Aug 7, 2015
                          Messages:
                          74
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Occupation:
                          Instrument Technician (retired)
                          Location:
                          Teesside
                          Ratings:
                          +124
                          Forgive me if im preaching to the converted !!!
                          Dahlias will grow and flower strongly right up until the first frost.
                           
                          • Agree Agree x 2
                          • HarryS

                            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Aug 28, 2010
                            Messages:
                            8,906
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Occupation:
                            Retired
                            Location:
                            Wigan
                            Ratings:
                            +16,249
                            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 :dbgrtmb:
                             
                            • Like Like x 1
                            • Agree Agree x 1
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice