Dahlias

The first five cuttings are in. This tray will hold 15 and I expect it to be full in another week or so. I found last year that packing around the individual pots with damp peat maintained the correct humidity. They were well rooted after just two weeks. All I need to do now is to crack the dark art of timing a perfect bloom for show day.

 

Wish you good fortune with that.

Just a thought about your hollow shoots, would it work if the shoot were removed from the tuber taking part of the tuber with it like a heel cutting?

Anyway, as you say, the tubers generally produce enough further shoots for cuttings so is it really worth it, Maybe it would limit those further shoots.

 

To be honest last year was my first year of serious Dahlia growing. Prior to that I had just plonked the tuber in the ground and let them flower how and when they liked. So I have no experience of trying a heel cutting. Thinking about it, it would be the same as dividing a tuber. As long as there is a growing point it will make a new plant. A bit of experimenting might be called for.

 

Hi Billybell,

I've never thought about packing around the pots before, thanks for that tip

 

Just bought 3 new ones from wilkos, starting their summer bedding sale, get in before the best quality go.

 

Quick question - I got a single 'Happy Birthday' dahlia bulb in a mixed bag of bee and butterfly bulbs, and I'm not quite sure what to do with it. The other types of bulbs were planted out together in a square raised bed, as the package said they only required a few inches between them. However the happy butterfly had instructions for 28ins planting distance? Does that sound right? I currently don't have a garden bed suitable for planting, and don't want to use another raised bed for one bulb. Should I be planting it in a massive pot? How big is this thing going to be?

 

Hiya,
I don't know that particular cultivar but that sounds about right. It's not so much about competition with the Dahlia, it's the Dahlia out competing everything else. I did get my giant Dahlias to grow well in 14" x 14" pots. So maybe plonk it in one of those?
Jack

 

Depends how large the spread of the plant is?.....but 28 inches does seem too much, depending on the size of the dahlia, I generally tend to plant about 12 - 15 inches apart, I find I get a better effect if the plants overlap each other a little, which gives the impression that its just one long plant, rather then big gaps between plants.

 

It always amazes me how fast Dahlias grow. I put the tubers in 3litre pots and within days they all had some roots coming through the holes. It's like they're firing out anchors into the ground! I can't think of another plant that rockets as fast.


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I'm starting to put my potted up Dahlias outside now. They're growing leggy already inside with the lack of light and the warmth. The temps here are well above freezing now so I think they should do well?

If there is a risk of frost, I'll cover them with fleece but it seems unlikely.


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I have four Wilko Daliahs & a packet of Daliahs I picked up in Tesco , they were all really good value . I've not done anything with mine yet, I thought it was still a bit early, @JackJJW i see you have started to put yours out already is it just a case of covering them up if there's a risk of frost?.....I generally go with the rule 'never cast a clout until May is out' (one of my nans sayings! )having said that I'm desperate to put them in!
I'm trying to grow some Daliahs from seed, last year they did well but this year they are very slow, the seed is in date, I've sown them in John Innes seed compost, they are in the bathroom on the window ledge....I can't see what I'm doing wrong? , perhaps I'm being impatient any ideas??

 

Can't help with the seed question as never grown Dahlias from seed. Re getting the Dahlias going. if I were you I'd pot the corms up and get them going indoors, either window sill or greenhouse if you have 1. Even living where you do I wouldn't risk planting them outside as any new shoots are really tender. I am just about to start my corms off. Going to Rome tomorrow where it's in the mid 70s . Come back on Sunday and will get the Dahlias going after that in my greenhouse. If your corms are a bit shrivelled looking it's a good idea to soak them for a few hours prior to potting up. Unless the weather warms up a bit they'd just sulk outside anyway. Once they get going they are really quick growing so don't fear you'll be too late to get a great show from them.

 

Thanks for your reply @silu . I will get them potted up & put them in the greenhouse or my front porch later on.

I hope you have a fantastic time in Rome

 

I normally put mine out last week in May or 1st week in June, slugs love the
young tender shoots

 

Oh blimey I'd forgotten how much the slugs like them thanks for reminding me