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Tree dahlia stunted growth

GrajeanGrajean Posts: 447
in Plants
I bought a tree dahlia tuber this year, planted in pot. Its only grown to about 18 inches and no sign of a flower. The leaves are still healthy. Will it grow successfully next year, what have I done wrong, never grown one before.

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    It needs to be in the ground in a sunny spot, unless you have a very big pot. The pot size restricts the growth, and a tree dahlia needs a lot of feed and water. It is possible it did not get enough water this summer.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Tree dahlias ( D. Imperialis  ) can reach 6m tall and , as such, are not in the slightest bit suitable for pot plants. 
    Keep it frost free over the winter and get it into the ground in Spring and it'll romp away. You may still not have flowers. I had some form right at the end of summer on some 2.5m plants, but the frost got them before they opened.
    Devon.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    In most of the UK, they are really foliage plants, and will not flower.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    edited November 2018
    I left mine in the ground last winter as the the tubers were too heavy to dig up and  were almost 1m in diameter.
    Devon.
  • GrajeanGrajean Posts: 447
    Thank you everyone. I will plant it in the garden next year and see what happens.
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