Jessica, April 2 is a bit late to order dahlia plants from dahlia specialists (tubers might be OK but most suppliers would be sold out of many varieties of tubers....), but still acknowledgement would be nice, just to know that 'THINGS ARE WORKING OK' ...... I have ordered from Buddy Dean - HILLTOP GARDENS for the past 3 years. In fact i usually make 3 orders, one in November, another in late December (when his Web site has usually be somewhat updated ...) and again in early February (when surely his website ha been updated, usually ) ........... Buddy and Kelly seem to "automatically combine these orders" as I have received all in one shipment .. .BUT never get an acknowledgement, although the first year they did phone me with a question on my order. I ask for April 15 delivery, as need that in i Rome, GA so that the plants get well rooted and growing well before hot weather comes along in mid-to-late May ... BUT 2 years ago thought they had 'forgot" and then surprise the box of plants arrived the first week in May. Last year the box of plant arrived about April 17. THIS YEAR I AM STILL WAITING and WONDERING - as it is MAY 10, and I should have had these no later than May 1, so that they could have been potted in 4" pots to develop a solid root ball, before transplanting out to open garden. BUT I have gotten QUALITY - DISEASE FREE ( Virus Free) plants from HILLTOP and some varieties that just cannot be found anywhere else these days. Specialty Dahlia Growers do it as a "labor of love" - normally as a "hobby" while supporting themselves with another regular full-time job. BUT - the other 3 dahlia plant suppliers I order form (think the only ones currently shipping plants) all COMMUNICATE and honor SHIP DATES or let one know if a variety is having difficulty rooting in a particular year- so COMMUNICATION is IMPORTANT in EVERYTHING ...... This year I've spent several hundred $$$ on plants order from HILLTOP, but if they do arrive withing the next week or two, I'm afraid it will be "too late" for our hot weather and will have to toss them, as too late for the growing conditions of my climate in Georgia ..............

Hi, I just went outside to measure a few of mine that are blooming to see how they measure up to the sizes in the catalog. The results are mixed, some are smaller and some are bigger. I never disbud because I just can't bear to pinch of buds that will be flowers. I generally purchase the ones that say they will be 6-8 inches in diameter because even if they don't get as big as they say, they will still be pretty good sized. The ones I measured are: Show n Tell 8", catalog says 9-10 Lucky Ducky 4", catalog says 3 Pinelands Princess 5 1/2", catalog says 7 Sonic Bloom 5", catalog says 5 1/2 I am sure the flowers would be bigger if I pinched them but I am OK with more flowers at a slightly smaller size. I hope your 3" inch flowers are at least that big. Good Luck with your dahlias! Linda

Welcome. That's how it starts.... "I picked up a tuber at Home Depot." Sounds like you are quite taken by your bountiful blooms. Good for you! Everything you need to learn about is right at the link below, and conveniently located in your state. Yes, unless you live in a mild zone of CO, you really should plan to dig them up, or prepare to lose them. That would be tragic! Digging, storing, and dahlia suppliers links are all contained in the link or on many previous threads here. But feel free to ask more questions, someone will answer eventually. Seed grown plants will generally go on to produce tubers and the tubers should grow true to the plant they came from, but dahlias from seeds come from crossing two parents, so their offspring will be different. Sometimes good different, sometimes really badly different. Check out any local dahlia associations which usually have spring sales of tubers as a fundraiser. You can get some stunning varieties at very reasonable prices. Here's another link full of links that might be helpful. Looks like Colorado only has one dahlia society; might be worth a day trip! http://www.dahlia.org/ Here is a link that might be useful: dahlias.net

HI, Jim check your E-mail. thanks, Hiam