skip to main content

Midwest Gardening

darn it - I don't know what color my dahlias are!

17 years ago

I grew a few plants of dahlia "bishop's children" this summer. A couple of them have a lovely leaf and flower color - they are definitely "keepers". But a couple others have flower buds which may not get a chance to bloom, what with the arctic blast coming tonight. Darn it! I don't intend to dote over dahlia tubers (anti-fungal treatment, over-wintering) which may turn out to be yucky looking. Fingers crossed.. maybe they'll squeeze out a single bloom. ;-)

Meanwhile, out of a dozen helenium plants, they all bloomed and I know which ones I want to keep. Ditto the mexican hat.

Has time run out for you, too, on deciding whether to keep/pitch certain plants?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

duluthinbloomz4
17 years ago
Dahlias were a major disappointment this season - nice, clean, bushy foliage, but late buds that don't have a prayer of opening. Don't know if it was the heat we experienced in July (over 100 for a few days and high 90's for the next few weeks - which is virtually unheard of in Duluth) or the extreme drought we're still in the midst of. I treat dahlias as annuals anyway, buying the tubers on the cheap and not having the will to store them, etc. They did make a lovely green border, but a bloom would have been a real bonus. Nothing else seemed to suffer this year despite the unusual conditions. Lake Superior really does affect our weather - rain to the south and to the north, but nothing here. The dahlias will be one of the first things going into the compost pile. I love them and will try again next season...
Missy, Traverse City, Mi Z5
17 years ago
My dahlia's were phenomenal this year. Most of them have been blooming non-stop since late July or early August.
Related Discussions
I Don't Know What I Don't Know About Mini Fridges
Q
Comments (9)
Hi Plllog! "That is, I know it's possible, but might not be in your budget." See, there's the crux of it. This little beverage center idea of mine was not in the original budget. (Nor, alas, were new drywall in the livingroom and halls, the gorgeous walnut top on my used cabinet island, the matching gorgeous top that will soon be on the new media cabinet and the near full gut of the bathroom.) And we're still determined to get through remodeling our ugly duckling without taking out a loan or dipping into savings. Conventional wisdom says: Wait until the coffers are full again but that's so hard to do. First off, I'm a cheapskate. Even if the goose who laid the golden egg waddled up onto my deck and built a nest, I'm not sure I would willingly pay someone to mess up the walls I just paid to fix. Second, I'm not quite cheap enough. My new kitchen is starting to look pretty good but, gosh, it would look so much better if the microwave and coffee maker didn't take up so much room on that one counter. I'm willing to spend a little bit more to change that, especially since I'm going to have a piece of countertop leftover that should be just the right size. Still, it's nice to know that it's possible. Maybe when the coffers ARE full again I'll put a tile counter outside on my deck to shade the golden goose should she happen to wander by ;) Thanks for your help!
...See More
I don't know what to paint my bathroom with...
Q
Comments (1)
Let me see if this works...I just started painting the JAmesboro Gold on the living area ( not sure if it's working or not for me...but it'll give you a peek into the bathroom at the back..
...See More
My succulent is dying and I don't know what to do. Please help me :(
Q
Comments (16)
Agree with Matt, leaves look rotting but are also sunburned. Rot wasn't visible in other photos. Many of the leaves are sunburned toward the tips... I wouldn't worry much about looking for turface and/or bark unless they are easily found. I went thru all of that (as many others did); found turface but not too lucky with bark (lots available, but is too large - 2" and bigger). So I settled for mix I use, with ingredients I mentioned in previous post (including photo I posted). BTW, I have read all posts by Al. I am very strong 'believer' ...but if you understand principle, you can make excellent mix using materials easily available, without going crazy looking for exactly the same...For example: Al's recipe doesn't call for perlite. But knowing perlites water holding capacity, one can figure out what it is good for and use it as a substitute for substrate not so easily found. There are many other substrates that are excellent if used in making well draining mix.
...See More
Help, I don’t know what to do with my weirdly shaped bedroom
Q
Comments (4)
Is this room a blank slate? Or do you have any furniture/rugs/window treatments/etc. that you are going to use? Here are some boho chic rooms for inspiration. You'll note that many of them are painted white, with color and pattern in textiles and art. Keep in mind that when you decorate a room, the wall color is only one piece of the puzzle. It needs to work with everything else you choose to have in the room. Plan it out before you buy that can of paint!
...See More
led_zep_rules
17 years ago
I planted 5 hunks of dahlias and only one is blooming so far. Another one is ready to bust open. I was told they were white but fortunately they have a pink blush which gives them some character. I find the flowers I do have to be very lovely and long lasting.

I don't understand why you wouldn't at least dig them up and stick them in the basement. If they wither up, fine, but how hard is it to do that? It isn't like gladiolas, which I get in bags of 15 and I have sworn to stop digging up, because there are so many and it is a pain in the butt. I just have a few dahlias so I will certainly dig them up. Will also dig up the stupid canna lilies. Have grown them for 2 summers now and still no flowers. If they don't bloom next year they are finding a new home. At least the leaves are interesting . . .

Marcia in WI
motria
Original Author
17 years ago
Duluth-in-Bloom - I know what you mean. I first grew dahlias last summer, during an exceptional drought. Out of 8 or 9 plants only one lived and bloomed.

Marcia - In theory, I could dig up and save all the tubers. I'll find out next year what color they are. But I want to know NOW!! Waahhh! ;-)
ladylavender
17 years ago
I don't mind digging up dahlias since I found an easy way to store them. Dig them up, wash and allow to dry for a couple of days. Wrap in saran wrap and leave in a cool place for the winter. haven't lost one since I started doing it this way. check this out

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/dahlia/msg0922180325976.html?2

mary
motria
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Mary - I tried the same method last year with great success. I also spray the tubers with fungicide.. just in case. I'm only going to dig up the tubers that I know I want to keep. Since we got a puppy in August I try to minimize my gardening time. More time for the dog park and doggie beach!

P.S. Here is the last dahlia that I was waiting for. It's a keeper!

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING Out, Darn Spot! Tips for Removing Carpet Stains

By Bonnie McCarthy

Know the right solutions and when to use them to prevent stains from pets, soda, chocolate, blood and more

FUN HOUZZ The Cutest Darn Animals on Houzz

By Becky Harris

You might end up admiring these horses, goats, llamas and more until the cows come home

FLOWERS Great Design Plant: Dahlias

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Pick this flamboyant stunner for its amazing array of colors and faces, fast growth and sizes that can fill a pot or a whole garden

WORKING WITH PROS 17 Things Color Consultants Want You to Know

By Becky Harris

Dithering over potential palettes for your home? A color pro might be the way to go. Here's how it works

GREAT HOME PROJECTS What to Know Before Refinishing Your Floors

Learn costs and other important details about renewing a hardwood floor — and the one mistake you should avoid

HOME OFFICES New This Week: 3 Home Offices That Know How to Work It

By Mitchell Parker

We look at the designers’ secrets, ‘uh-oh’ moments and nitty-gritty details of 3 great home offices uploaded to Houzz this week

ANTIQUES Must-Know Furniture: The Hoosier Cabinet

By Karen Egly-Thompson

This freestanding cabinet handled all the kitchen bustle in the early 20th century, earning it the motto ‘Hoosier saves steps’

MOST POPULAR 19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About

By Mitchell Parker

Could your kitchen use a new sink, a backsplash, updated hardware, better organization, a good cleaning? Here's how to get started

ARCHITECTURE Want to Live by the Water? What You Need to Know

By Duo Dickinson, architect

Waterside homes can have amazing charm, but you'll have to weather design restrictions, codes and surveys

PLANTING IDEAS These Aren’t Your Grandparents’ Junipers

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Dislike junipers? Maybe it’s time to discover new varieties and new uses for this garden workhorse

Sponsored

More Discussions

garlic coming up through mulch

6

Roses for shade and pots Zone 6a

3

Earth Song vs. Carefree Beauty?

10

Growing sweet corn problem

1