A few dahlias........

[Gardengirl]

........from my garden



I just love them, they give you non-stop colour right through to the end of Autumn.

[Gardengirl]

[GREENWIZARD]

I just love them

~me too ;D ;D
blooming marvellous G ;D ;D[/color]

[rosebud]

Pat those dahlias,are beautiful what lovely bright colours.

[lorna]

Gardengirl. Wow they are beautiful, a lovely variety of colour. Love them. Thanks for showing them to us. Lorna.

[Vony]

Very nice indeed.
Vony

[dibberxxx]

i love them to what beautiful colours

[Mrs Ava]

Beautiful Pat.  This is my first year growing Dahlias, and I have been impressed with the colours and the lovely dense strong foliage!  This year they were seed grown, and planted all far to close together, next year I hope to give them more space and more sun so they can do even better!

[Gardengirl]

Thanks all for the nice comments :)  There is only one drawback with Dahlias and that is they attract the dreaded blackfly.  Anyone else found this?  Help is at hand though as I have a few friendly ladybirds quickly disposing of them :D   I was fascinated watching them and also the ants scurrying around milking the blackfly.  The ladybird did not seem to mind the ants running all over it, just got on with it's dinner ;D

The ladybirds are in very short supply this year though.  I wonder why ???

[lorna]

Gardengirl. I only have 3/4 dahlia plants but they certainly attract the black fly. I usually get a piece of tissue and run my fingers up the stems..(with tissue) It seems to get rid of most and also use the hose as a jet.
I have only seen a very small number of ladybirds this year, what a shame.
Lorna.

[Amazin]

That's because I've got 'em all!

[Heldi]

Lovely dahlias Gardengirl. I've grown four varieties this year. One is a big white pom pom. I love it only I haven't staked it very well and it is flopping over. How does everyone stake theirs? I've been sticking sticks washed up on the beach inbetween my dahlias hoping they would look interesting( :D) and then disappear. It seems I need more, or something better.

[daisymay]

Thanks all for the nice comments :)  There is only one drawback with Dahlias and that is they attract the dreaded blackfly.  Anyone else found this? 

Most definitely! I made the mistake of planting the front of a bed with dahlias and the back with dwarf runner beans, like the beans needed any extra help attracting black fly! Never mind, live and learn....  :)

[Gardengirl]

Heldi - I must admit to not having to stake my dahlias as I do not grow the very large headed ones (at the moment ;) :)).  Mine just form a nice bush which do not collapse.  The only thing I can suggest is one of those circular plant supports you can get from the garden centre.  I use these for my delphiniums.  Push them into the ground when the plant is starting to grow and by the time it is fully grown the stems have grown through the squares of the support and you cannot see it.  They cost a few pounds, but last for years.

Lorna - I too have used the hose but have found that if I am not really careful where I aim, I lose a couple of buds :o

Lucky old you Amazin to have all the ladybirds.   Why is that I wonder - are you growing any particular plant in your garden which attracts them? :)