Did you check all your growing factors?

If all tubers do poorly it could point to non-too-great growing conditions, especially flower size is a feeding-thing

even though living overseas I ordered for the second time, two died on me, but I would blame the horrid wet spring, the other 10something doing great mostly

And when I ordered they even threw in 2 extras, substitute for one gift tuber that had died on me 2 y ago. And after mailing them, they regunded another and offered a new one with the next order

good luck for the remaining season, bye, Lin

Good points, Linaria.

There are many reputable places to buy dahlia tubers, and Swan Island is one of them. Check out www.dahliaaddict.com for an awesome buying resource.

This year has been very challenging for Eastern growers, with lots of complaints of delayed blooming and heat damage to the petals. I haven't been effected as much as other growers I've talked to, but I have still seen a slowdown of the plants even with plenty of water and appropriate fertilizer.

Don't give up on your plants... they might surprise you yet.

Thanks ....I have always been happy with swan island...but not this year....

Good points ... Thank you ... I still don't have buds on 2 plants.. And I started them in pots in March hmmmm... I did plant then in miracle grow soil. Wondering if that made the difference ...

I bought from Swan Island and a couple of other suppliers this year. All of my dahlias have been just ok so I don't think my situation is solely due to Swan. I live in Connecticut where it has been a tough gardening season - late frost, scorching temperatures and high humidity. I'll probably order more for next year.

I've never seen SI actually use the term 'dinner plate' like so many sites do, they just list the expected size range of the blossoms. Can I ask what the name of that dahlia is? The flower is very pretty even though it is unfortunate it is smaller than you expected.

Don't remember the name....I always order the 8-10 inch blooms and have had magnificent flowers every yr...just disappointed in this yrs blooms... More disappointed in SI's " attitude" ,,,seem to have gotten a little arrogant...

Re: Arrogant?? Why should they be responsible for a poor growing year or individual growing practices? They have one of the best replacement policies and actual follow-through of any dahlia supplier out there, and their customer service folks always spend lots of time answering growing questions when asked.

It is possible that,

1. You were sent the wrong variety by accident, and they will correct that oversight next season if you send them an image of the incorrect bloom now via email

2. You chose a variety that requires more grooming to show its full potential. Your plant image shows no grooming whatsoever.

3. There was not enough moisture/fertilizer provided, ergo the much smaller blooms

its tough for us to help you problem solve when you didn't keep track of the variety type. Sorry to hear you're disappointed, but please don't needlessly put down a very reputable business on a forum that will be searched countless times in the coming years.

WOW... simmer down Cici....my post was merely to find out if anyone else had issues with SI this year....I have always ordered and had fabulous blooms...but not this year....have a pleasant day...

Sorry you took offense at my post, and I am not 'simmering' in the slightest. Just keeping it real.

I have always had fabulous experiences dealing with Swan Island. In fact, I ordered a new variety this year, and wasn't very impressed with it. The flowers were similar, but not as nice and vibrant in color as the photo. I always add my reviews to the SI site, so other people get a feel for what they can expect from a "non-pro" grower. I left my blah recommendation about how I didn't really like the variety, and they must read those things because they sent me an email saying how sorry they were that my plant didn't perform up to par, and said they would send me a new one next spring and would I please try again? They are not cheap but they absolutely stand behind their product whether it is their fault or ours. Just my 2 cents.

Thanx for your input...I have emailed them many times even sent them pix...they claim its "not enough water, fertilizer, whatever..I treat them the same as I have very yr...and have had beautiful blooms ...I'm over it now..never an offer to replace...I think maybe I just got a bad batch of tubers....I still have 3 with no buds whatsoever But as I said,,,I'm over it

So sorry, that sounds very frustrating! Surprising...

I know..,they've always been very helpful in the past...ill just look for someone new to buy from

I order 80% of my dahlia tubers from them and have mostly good results. And when it's clearly been a problem with the tuber they do quickly replace. I got a replacement for Vassio Meggos in time to plant it this year. And I also know it's hard to figure out why something under performs. When your bed is full of beautiful dahlias and a new variety isn't doing much of anything, it's a logical thing to consider the source. But this year I started growing at a friends farm, just a proof of concept so we're starting with my extras, and Honeymoon, a plant that didn't do well for me last year-- I saved the tubers anyway -- is a star performer. I even planted it at the edge, thinking if something happened to it, no big deal. Makes me laugh every time I see it. (Front left in the picture if I can get it loaded.)

Different soil, different light conditions. And, I might add, Pooh, which has always done well for me here is not doing well at the farm.

I don't order from SI any more. Had lackluster experience with them 2015, tubers from other suppliers that season were great. Don't think it was me. didn't order any from them this season. I've had good luck with summer dreams farm out of Michigan. Also like sunny meadows flower farm in Ohio.

A few of the varieties I ordered from them were identical to top performers from other suppliers - sorry to say but I agree not only were the tubers bad but so was their attitude

THANK YOU....I will definitely try them...

I planted 16 Swan Island tubers next to 4 Dahlia Barn tubers and 1 Home Depot tuber - same bed, same conditions, same water/fertilizer. I planted them all on Memorial day weekend. Swan Island ones aren't performing nearly as well, only one of the 16 has flowered here in Illinois. Several are completely stunted (Bride to Be variety both stunted). Meanwhile all the dahlia barn and home depot tubers have flowered. My first time ordering from them and I'm pretty disappointed! Glad to see I'm not the only one.

WOW.. So happy to hear that I'm not the only one.. But sad that you don't have any flowers Did you contact them?? Just curious.. I sent one last email and received the same canned response.. Water and fertilizer..just amazes me..totally underwhelmed !!!

Rachel, Google 'dahlia virus' and see if the leaves resemble your Bride to Be. I've heard several complaints about that variety recently, and that is a very valid reason to ask for a credit for next year. If so, I would ask to try another white variety, as all their stock of BtoB may well be contaminated. Virus does not 'go away' in dahlias, and can infect neighboring plants. It can also reduce blooming, or cause vastly inferior flowers.

Thanks for the tip. The leaves look normal, just a small plant! I will rip them out regardless, I don't want to take any chances with my healthy ones. I'll give another update with some pictures next week when I hopefully have more blooms. I think their "bonus tuber" Blackberry Ice has set quite a few buds.

I just had the first Bride to Be, new this year from Swan's, open and it is not true to the form. A fringe around an open center that looks like it belongs there, like a collarette except that it's a fringe, a few layers deep, not collarette petals. Waiting to see if this is just a problem with the first blossom. On the other hand, Bridzilla (see picture)

another trial looking for a white waterlily, is magnificent. The blossoms last forever, for a dahlia. Also from the same source.

Ahh! I've been wanting to try Bridzilla! How are the stems? Long and strong, I hope?

I grew B to B for a couple years, and got tired of how short the stems are unless you double disbud it. In my experience, it tends to be a fairly short plant in addition to the flowers blooming inside the bush.

Yes, Bridezilla stems are long and strong. I underestimated the size of this plant, it will go at the back of the bed next year. I tend to get tall plants because I have the minimum amount of sun that one can have and still call it full sun but this is the tallest in the bed this year. I should have known from the name <s> Here it is with Croyden's Masterpiece in front of it.

Wow! Now that blooms OUT of the bush! :-)

Bridezilla is on the buy list!

Beautiful! I am trying to decide on bridezilla vs. bride to be. Sounds like bridezilla may be winning...