Dahlias

[Lazy Daisy]

Well I am pleased to announce that my Dahlias are now in full flower and are doing me proud. Had a couple of bad starts coz I did not realise that I need to stake them so early or use such substantial stakes but have now got over that. I sited a couple in the wrong place so will not do that again next year, because I have this wild scheme of photographing each plant with a number attached  and then next year I will have a visual record of each plant.

[Lazy Daisy]

[valmarg]

And the good news is, the more you pick the flowers, the more flowers you will get.

valmarg

[Emagggie]

Always had a raving success with dahlias before, but I decided I should really dig them up and store them properly at the end of last year. Replanted some on plot (beautiful) and bought new for home.Dismal faliure.
Only one of many has flowered.So disappointing BUT there's always next year.
I envy you Lazy Daisy :o  ;D

[Lazy Daisy]

If we ever get some sun and I get the hang of this new fangled camera I shall photograph them and post them on the forum

[joanfoden]

Hi - thought you might be interested in my successes and failures with dahlias.
I planted a pack of mixed dahlia tubers last year and had some mixed success.  The ones in full sun were a little bleached looking - semi shade ones were better.
I dug them up to overwinter them as all good books say and come this spring - found about 80% had rotted in the compost - including my prize Bishop of Landaff  :'(. 
Planted the survivors in semi-shade - and what a show this year - fantastic blooms with loads of deep colourful flowers.  I even managed to grow a few plants from seeds :).
I'm going to leave the tubers in the ground over winter with a huge blanket of straw and see what happens next spring.
Will keep you posted.
Joan