OH wants to know how to maximise flower size. I reckon it is decide by the variety, she wants to know if disbudding like with Chrysants will result in fewer but larger blooms... with long stems.. (the ideal cut flower!! ) ::)
Yes to both questions.
Variety will determine flower size in the main but providing good growing conditions will ensure that it reaches the size expected.
Disbudding will certainly produce larger flowers and the more buds/side shoots you remove down the stem the longer it will be.
There are many different types of Dahlias but not all varieties are suitable for flower arranging because the flowers are so large and the stems may be too weak to hold them up in a flower vase.
Yes and Yes.
There are 6 official category's of size. Size codes denote the approximate size of dahlia blooms that the tuber will produce. The sizes and their codes are:
Giant AA : Flowers over 10" or more
Large A : Flowers 8" to 10" across
Medium B : Flowers 6" to 8" across
Small BB : Flowers 4" to 6" across
Miniature M : Flowers up to 4" across
Pompom P : Flowers up to 2" across
The two most common type of giant are the Decorative and the Semi-Cactus.
ie Alfred C - a giant semi-cactus, Danum Rhoda - a giant decorative, White Alvas/Alva's Supreme both giant decorative.
As far as disbudding.
1) Only allow 2 or 3 stems to grow from a tuber. More stems gives more flowers, but smaller.
2) As the stem starts to produce a flower buds, it produces a main bud and 2 wing buds (all from the same node). By removing the wing buds, more energy is put into the main bud/flower.
Also, as with any plant, a good watering and feeding regime is very important.
Here are some notes on culture, and pictures that might to help you to decide;
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias/Dahlias.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias/Dahlias.htm)
Hi
I grow dahlias for cut flowers so id lie to recomend and absolute cracker awaterlily type
Its called tarahiti ruby, fabulous deep orange lasts for more than a week after cutting and makes very strong and fairly hardy plants.
Also a spikey orange decorative cheyenne, its orange and yellow with spikey petals , long lasting in a vase gorgeous, and makes the biggest tubers ive ever seen.
and the old favorate mid sized red doris day, also has a long vase life and strong tough plantr.
Agree about disbudding , but actually my experince is that if you put the deadheading time in your plants will produce large multiple blooms without you having to think them.
that and lots of organic matter (we use a lot of chicken poo since the aminopyraloid killed of 60 varieties)
heres to summer vases and a mega show for the harvest festival.
x sunloving
Thanks all, sorry to hear about the disaster sunloving... :'(