Dahlias

My dahlias are doing great - I am growing from tubers and from seed to see which do best. My tallest one is around 12" high.

I am growing for colourful cut flowers and think these are very 'showy' flowers. I have several different ones but I am looking forward to these ones in particular:
http://www.over50sforum.com/album.ph...&pictureid=723
http://www.over50sforum.com/album.ph...&pictureid=722
http://www.over50sforum.com/album.ph...&pictureid=721

As usual, I have gone overboard on this and have about 50 seedlings as well as about 12 tubers. I have another 100 or so seeds to plant too.

I will post my results later this year.
Any advice on dahlia growing? OG? Nero?

Re: Dahlias

Ohh! I absolutely love dahlias! Those pics are gorgeous.
I used to have over 150 tubers at one point!! But gave them all away when we moved north. Real sorry I did that now.

There's a site called the Garden Helper where I have referred people to for good advice on growing dahlias.

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/dahlia.html

A lot of it depends on where you live of course, but I always gave mine very deep waterings - and often in summer! They do need well-drained soil.
I also dug mine out after the first big frost in the autumn - a lot of work!! But they are worth it!
I had all sizes - from the very small to the dinner plates, which needed tying up. I put the stakes in at the same time as the tuber.
I look forward to seeing your pics! You are going to have one very colourful garden!!

Re: Dahlias

Any advice on dahlia growing? OG?

No point in asking me,I thought I had stored mine well enough but lost the lot over the winter.

Hey ho-we live and learn

Re: Dahlias

No advice from me, I don't particularly like the very large varieties and grow the small ones (like Bishop's Children) from seed. I treat them as annuals and don't dig up the tubers to save.

Re: Dahlias

Don't know a darned thing about Dahlias Paul . . . just planted two Gloxinias and three Begonias . . . new varieties I aint seen before, they looked nice on the packet though.

Re: Dahlias

thanks for the link lovemyboys. I am growing them on my allotment for cut flowers and hopefully to attract bees (do dahlias do that?). I don't have much of a garden at home unfortunately

Re: Dahlias

useful advice on that website lovemyboys, thanks. Here is a website that shows some really nice pictures of the varieties available http://www.national-dahlia-collection.co.uk/catalog/