IS one able to "safely" start storing dahlias now?
rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
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rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
7 months agoRelated Discussions
Starting dahlia in big containers
Comments (2)Hi Murka, fellow zone 5 gardener from Ontario: I would be tempted to put in no more than 5 dahlias in the 24 x 24 pot. They don't want to be too crowded, and you will need to pinch the lower area so that moisture does not become a problem, hence mold. Actually, 3 large dahlias would be nice. I particularly like the cactus style, with about a 4-6 inch flower. If you pinch the lead steam, it will branch out for you, and you will have plenty of flowers. I had two dahlias in a slightly smaller plant last year, and they did very well, and looked spectacular. Only plant a few inches, not too deep. If you plant outside around May 20, you may have to protect them from frost, but that is quite easy in a 24x24 planter. Put in a couple of stakes when you plant the tuber, so that you can tie them up later in the season, and you can also throw a sheet over top, in the event of frost. Where I live, near Guelph, we often get frost up to early June, so we have to be prepared. I start my dahlias before most, and keep them under lights. However, if you have really good southern exposure windows, you should be able to give them a head start. Good luck. Keep us informed as to how you are progressing....See MoreStarting dahlias indoors: but I'm out of pots!
Comments (25)The eyes donÂt need to be covered. Like Russ said, they donÂt need to be fully planted; as they are just being "started" preparatory to going outside. This is my 3rd or 4th year doing them this way, which I learned about on this forum. On mine the clump "shoulders" are actually exposed as well, really only the bottom half is in dirt. You save potting soil, pot space and some effort. My plastic pots are lined with newspaper which acts like a peat pot: at planting time you pop the tuber and its paper liner out of the plastic pot and plant the whole thing very easily. (do a search here for "paper pot" for the whole system, or look at Jroot's post for pictures.) http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/dahlia/msg041343391520.html I am going to go with the baggie method for the rest (thanks, poochella!) as I need to conserve further space. For underneath I have deep foil trays I bought at the dollar store. It will be a good comparison of the two methods, as making the paper pots (when you do a lot: I have ~ 30-35) does take some time....See MoreTransplanting Dahlias started indoors - again
Comments (9)Dahlias grow the very best when the soil temp. is constantly 60*-- no 2 ways about it! If they are already growing & you put them out they might just sit there stunted until the temp. gets up to where they need it to be to grow- or the tuber will rot & not have enough feeder roots growing yet to sustain the plant- then you've got a dead plant. Also- dahlias & tomatoes are related-- so there you go- what's good for one is good for the other! Your dahlias grow all summer long & as the temp gradually gets cooler, they keep going until frost- yes, it's colder than 60* but they've had all summer to put on semi-hardy stems & the fall to get used to the colder temps. The stems in spring are tender new growth & way more susceptible to frost than the woody thick stems that have grown all summer long. Why do Home Depot & all those nurseries have tender plants out now?? When they frost & die you have to go back to the store & buy MORE, of course! Stands to reason- if they can sell you the same plants a few times over they're going to! Most savvy gardeners don't fall for their tactics & don't purchase tender plants until they can stand up to the local weather....See MoreIs it OK to start many dahlias in pots then transplant later?
Comments (9)If you used a potting soil with fertilizer in it, do you really need to add more now? Do the leaves show signs of lacking fertilizer? Out of several hundred, 2 of mine have pale yellowish leaves and all the rest look fine and healthy. I dosed those two today with a balanced fertilizer. Learn to look at your plants and see what they are telling you. Don't buy into the hype over fertilizers. I only fertilize mine when I plant them out in the garden by mixing alfalfa pellets, compost and organic tomato fertilizer into the soil I plant them into. Mostly depends on the brand of potting mix you use and what is in it....See Morerouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
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6 months agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a) thanked lowville5 zone5b/6 ON, Canadalowville5 zone5b/6 ON, Canada
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