That would be a lot of work for a person like me who has a large amount of dahlias in a field and it really depends on your area on how your dahlias grow. Personally i dont have time or enough ;money to put umbmrellas over each dahlia... :o)

And what about those chemicals. Where do you get those from in this quantity?

Great recipe. What a visual though DapperDahlia -- a field full of colorful umbrellas. People would drive from near and far just to see all the brightly colored umbrellas in the field. Seriously, they are just fine in the bright sun.

As well as protecting the blooms from the intense Canterbury sunlight, he recommends removing side buds, similar to removing laterals on a tomato plant to concentrate all growth to the single flower. He must be growing the dahlias for show. We need as many blossoms as we can get from each plant............

If the coastal fogs and hot summer sun in CA don't damage my dahlias, I can't imagine having to pamper plants like that! His dinnerplate dahlias must be absolutely HUGE!

What in heck is "basic slag?" Home Depot hasn't got it, I'll bet.

He sounds like a dedicated dahlia grower and willing to put tons of work into his labor of love. Those weights aren't so hideous that they couldn't be dealt with.

If I put blood or bone meal in my garden I'd have every dog and possibly bear in a half mile radius here digging up my garden. I'll have to make do with regular fertilizer.

Well, look what I found. Live and learn...

Here is a link that might be useful: Holy Hannah: it's Basic Slag

I take it that the answer is no. The hints about stem strength and color did sound interesting.

The article is about New Zealand grower.

Good Grief! I just give mine some tomato food, and they get taller than I am and bloom to beat the band. What else could you want?

Flowergirl, you're very smart. I just read in a little book called 1001 Gardening Secrets The Experts Never Tell You that tomato fertilizer is terrific for flowering plants, because the nitrogen level is lower....Now most of us already put manure in the ground with our tubers, so, it would seem to me that the addition of tomato fertilizer simply creates a great balance. Good on 'ya.

FLowergirl, how often do you fertilize? it is liquid or granular? Thanks!

Wow, I've been wondering why my red dahlias are turning into a more faded red with white parts. Great article it totally explains it now. However, my husband would have me committed if I started placing umbrellas over my plants. He he!

well tinarb, this is how I grow dahlias, when I dig them in the fall, I improve the soil right then with compost. Then when spring comes, all I have to do is plant. When they get about to the 2nd ring on the tomato supports, I pinch out the tops and fertilize with tomato fertilizer, it's granular. How much? Well probably a handful and a half, maybe 1/3 cup. The main problem I have here is hot dry winds. Hope this helps you. If I ever learn to post pictures I'll show you a few. I think I planted around 20 this year.

I'm a viniculturist, but I have thoughts on soil management. A soil with high pH 'locks in' iron and potassium, so using ammonium sulphate in solution for short time or sulphur for permanentcy will increase the acid level. For any magnesium deficiency use a tablespoon of magnesium sulphate (epsom salts. g.). For tomatoes I use 5-10-10 at planting then osmocoat when the fruit are as big as golf balls plus an ounce of Amm. Sulphate. (My soil is 7.4 pH.). As for umbrellers, gentlemen farmers work for prizes at the County Fair, as opposed to commercial growers. (grin again)

Welcome back Octogenarian. Ah, the life of a gentleman farmer...........

Tee-hee. I didn't mean to insinuate that commercial growers are not gentlemen, (or ladies). I can't help it if my bait catches fish,.....Doug