Is anyone ready to be excited about dahlias yet?

[DesparatePragmatist]

I know the 2024 sparrow has barely farted... but my snowdrops are up, the rhubarb is showing pink buds and it's going to be spriiiiiiiinnng...

So I've put in a (possibly slightly too adrenaline-fueled) order for 8 new dahlias from Sarah R's - mixture of waterlily, pompom and anemone types in the cool white/pink/burgundy range rather than the oranges. And a last minute splurge on a cafe au lait for the fun of it. I know it's weeks till they'll arrive and weeks more till they'll do anything, but.... who's with me?

This will be my third year of dahlia growing 😍

Between them, the sweet peas, and the cosmos I had such lovely cut flowers all summer long last year, and well into early autumn. Excited to see what I can grow this year.

I seem unable to grow them. Last year I planted ten tubers and none came up or if they did the foliage was eaten immediately. I was very sad.

personally i prefer fox gloves

I have to start mine off in pots and plant out when big and tough enough to not be slug fodder.

My issue is I lose them all every winter. The ones I leave in the ground, rot. The ones I dig up, freeze and rot. Or get eaten by mice.

Thank you @DesparatePragmatist it was a beauty and did well for me. Very pleased with them overall for £9! I've left two in the ground, well covered over and its sheltered with hedging. Never done this before so its a trial. The third is still in the pot that dh snapped it. So will see how that gets on.

I do like those pompoms, thanks for the link.

This was my favourite last year - but shamefully I can’t remember its name.

This will be my first year of dahlia growing. Any tips welcome!

@piscofrisco

Growing dahlias can be a rewarding experience, as these beautiful flowers come in a variety of colours and shapes. Here are some tips to help you have a successful first year of dahlia growing:

Selecting Dahlias:
Choose dahlia varieties that are suitable for your climate. Some dahlias are more heat-tolerant, while others thrive in cooler temperatures.

Planting:
Dahlias prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Plant tubers in the spring after the last frost when the soil has warmed up.
Space the tubers about 18-24 inches apart. Plant them 4-6 inches deep with the eye (growth bud) facing upwards.

Sunlight:
Dahlias love sunlight. Plant them in a location where they will receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Watering:
Provide consistent moisture to your dahlias, especially during dry periods. Water deeply, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering's. Avoid waterlogged conditions.

Fertilizing:
Use a balanced fertilizer or a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number) to encourage blooming. Fertilize when planting and then again during the growing season.

Support:
Dahlias can become top-heavy, so it's important to provide support. Stake your plants to prevent them from bending or breaking, especially when they start producing large blooms.

Deadheading:
Regularly deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flower production. This also helps the plant direct energy towards new growth and additional blooms.

Mulching:
Apply a layer of mulch around your dahlias to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Mulching also prevents soil splashing onto the leaves, which can help reduce the risk of diseases.

Pest and Disease Control:
Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and spider mites. Treat any infestations promptly. Also, practice good garden hygiene to prevent diseases by spacing plants adequately and ensuring good air circulation.

Overwintering:
In regions with cold winters, dahlias may not survive outdoors. After the first frost, dig up the tubers, let them dry for a few days, and then store them in a cool, dry place for the winter.

Enjoy the Blooms
Finally, take the time to enjoy your dahlias! Cut flowers for bouquets and share them with friends and neighbours.

Remember that each type of dahlia may have specific care requirements, so it's a good idea to read about the specific varieties you are growing. Good luck with your dahlia garden

@RaininSummer my first year growing dahlias was a complete slugfest as I put them in a bed near a pond with sunny mornings but shady afternoons. About half of them did manage to bloom and were gorgeous - but half got eaten. Since then I've switched to a full sun border, much better - might be worth a try if you can reposition them.

@CaptainCachitoo Thankyou! I've got a very sunny border at the end of the garden so I'm hoping they'll be a focal point of colour. Thankfully I got garden vouchers for Christmas so that's where they will be going!

Oh wow I'm so pleased I've found this thread!

Very novice Dahlia grower here. this year, I left mine in the ground any idea when I should be able to tell if they've survived?

I am however seeing the first few shoots of tulips and some green leaves on the Lupins!

I grew some from seed last year (dwarf mix) they were just in 5" nursery pots. I unearthed them to overwinter in the loft and was amazed at the size of the tubers that had grown from the teeny seeds and the rather underwhelming top growth I'd had over the summer. I'm going to plant them in bigger pots and see how they do. My other dahlias (4 for £10 from Waitrose in 2022) were dreadful last year, a couple were repeatedly decimated by slugs despite my best efforts, one looked diseased, and none flowered well, so I cba to unpot them. If they've survived the frosts I might give them another year or I might check out what Waitrose is selling this year.

Pinching the growing tips out once they’ve got 6 pair of leaves makes for a much bushier plant with more flowers. And also limit the plant to around 4 strong stems and cut the rest off. Mine love being fed every couple of weeks with liquid seaweed, especially important for any in pots.

Sorry, that was in reply to @piscofrisco !

I might start collecting my egg shells now; last year I crushed them up and put them around the base of my dahlias when they were tiny, it seemed to help in the fight against the slugs.

I feel inspired to try again this year. I do have a monstrous slug and snail problem as it's a walled courtyard with many crevices for the slimy buggers .

Yes I’m with you! This was my favourite last year, it’s called milena fleur. I’ve already ordered purple fox, Bacardi and waltzing Mathilda from Peter Nyssen. Love dahlias although they do not love my clay soil so it’s a bit of a challenge.

My Mum always grew loads of Dahlias. She used to leave them in the soil overwinter and put bubble wrap over the soil and weigh it down with big stones. They used to come up every year. She had a gorgeous dark burgundy one that was almost black. Whenever I visited in the summer she'd pick me a bunch to take home. She used to win her little local flower show with them every summer and it brought her so much pleasure. I can't look at a dahlia without remembering my Mum. I always think they are joyful flowers.

That's such a lovely remembrance of your mum @caringcarer ❤️

Im the same about my Granny with peonies, I grow several big clumps that come up every year (powder pink and a very deep cerise), and I always think of her when they're in full bloom as she loved them.

I have both foxgloves and dahlias in the garden. I wish dahlias self seeded and survived as easily as foxgloves!

Excitement levels have gone up another notch!

Last WE I potted up the tubers that arrived a couple of weeks ago and they're sitting in my greenhouse getting ready to sprout. I check them about 3 times a day even though I won't see anything for weeks...😀

Ooh this has popped up at just the right time for me.

I grew dahlias a couple of years ago with limited success. I bought a box of "bright" dahlias that were supposed to be a mix of pinks and yellows. The box only had 5 single skinny tubers. Naturally, the one that thrived was a red bishop of Auckland the others were decimated by slugs and I grew a single dark pink anemone style flower and a single yellow pompom. It was so disappointing.

I have a bigger garden now so last weekend I bought some from J Parker's wholesale site. I bought 5 Thomas Edison (a large purple dinner plate style), 5 rocco (purple pompom) and 5 white perfection (a white dinner plate style). The package arrived yesterday and the tubers are huge. Easily 5 times the size of the tubers from Sainsburys. I plan to pot them up this weekend and get them nice and bushy before they go out.

I’m going to pot mine up tomorrow ❤️

@CloudySheep I'm looking forward to seeing the photos when you get all of that lot in bloom! 15 plants - I thought I'd gone a bit OTT with 9! Definitely worth getting good tubers from a specialist grower, from what I've seen. Mine from Sarah Raven 2 years ago where a million times better than the supermarket ones I had last year.

I need compost!
I really need to get organised.