The other dahlias were all staked but only up to about 3 or 4 foot - they mysteriously outgrew the stakes by another 3 foot and yet still survived the wind.
Bishop Of Auckland was still quite low growing (18") and had been sturdy enough to support itself in a nice compact shape; it was unlucky that the powerful gale force wind and/or the pelting rain that broke their stems, but your advice is well noted, Fairygirl, and a lesson learnt: to stake even when they don't seem to need it.
Sometimes they can just be in the wrong place at the wrong time Birdy - we had quite a bit of plant damage last week with the strong winds - the wind just caught the side of a plant or perhaps the flower and once they are damaged - especially at this time of year then there is little hope of the summer flowering plant recovering this season. There is plenty of trial and error in gardening which is what encourages us to strive for perfection.
Gosh Hosta - what were you feeding them on....? they obviously liked it and rewarded you with a humongous growth spurt! In our garden the wind would have put paid to anything that tall and delicate - did the flowers cope with the wind around your garden?
Thank you Fidgetbones,for the detail about which are buds and which are seed heads. I have some of the 'Bishop' Dahlias this year and did not know about deadheading the pointed buds. I thought they were just buds still developing, my deadheading will be more vigorous now!.
Well worth the effort Novice 23. Our dahlias are at their best now, since we are now having a decent spell of weather all the dahlias (Bishops) are flowering more profusely and I do dead head them every couple of days, water too.
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The other dahlias were all staked but only up to about 3 or 4 foot - they mysteriously outgrew the stakes by another 3 foot and yet still survived the wind.
Bishop Of Auckland was still quite low growing (18") and had been sturdy enough to support itself in a nice compact shape; it was unlucky that the powerful gale force wind and/or the pelting rain that broke their stems, but your advice is well noted, Fairygirl, and a lesson learnt: to stake even when they don't seem to need it.
Sometimes they can just be in the wrong place at the wrong time Birdy - we had quite a bit of plant damage last week with the strong winds - the wind just caught the side of a plant or perhaps the flower and once they are damaged - especially at this time of year then there is little hope of the summer flowering plant recovering this season. There is plenty of trial and error in gardening which is what encourages us to strive for perfection.
I'm 6ft tall and I grew BoA and it was taller than me.
Gosh Hosta - what were you feeding them on....? they obviously liked it and rewarded you with a humongous growth spurt! In our garden the wind would have put paid to anything that tall and delicate - did the flowers cope with the wind around your garden?
GD2 , I have to add, that was in my last garden in Hampshire. I didn't even lift them in winter due to the sandy soil.
I've not come across one down here to try it again.
Thank you Fidgetbones,for the detail about which are buds and which are seed heads. I have some of the 'Bishop' Dahlias this year and did not know about deadheading the pointed buds. I thought they were just buds still developing, my deadheading will be more vigorous now!.
Well worth the effort Novice 23. Our dahlias are at their best now, since we are now having a decent spell of weather all the dahlias (Bishops) are flowering more profusely and I do dead head them every couple of days, water too.