I've gone a bit crazy this year, with 3 Waltzing Matilda tubers, 1 Blue Bayou, and 1 Lou Farman. And then remembered last years Bishop of Auckland tubers that I overwintered in the shed - there turned out to be 5 of them. I don't know what I'm going to do.... start a Dahlia farm? I think I will work out which variety I like best and give the rest away, I don't like having too many pots around the place.
I think I will either plant the Waltzing Matilda or the Bishop of Auckland all together in a large galvanised tub rather than potted separately.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
I've gone a bit crazy this year, with 3 Waltzing Matilda tubers, 1 Blue Bayou, and 1 Lou Farman. And then remembered last years Bishop of Auckland tubers that I overwintered in the shed - there turned out to be 5 of them. I don't know what I'm going to do.... start a Dahlia farm? I think I will work out which variety I like best and give the rest away, I don't like having too many pots around the place.
I think I will either plant the Waltzing Matilda or the Bishop of Auckland all together in a large galvanised tub rather than potted separately.
Need to get an entire section for cut flowers. It's just too easy to buy 'one more tuber' and easier still to forget it'll ultimately require ANOTHER large pot.
Need to get an entire section for cut flowers. It's just too easy to buy 'one more tuber' and easier still to forget it'll ultimately require ANOTHER large pot.
The weird thing is I will be compelled to take cuttings as well, I just can't resist it.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Queried this last year and it's probably better to be careful on the watering initially. Think of all the shrivelled tubers you see in garden centres showing buds despite being stuck in nothing but a plastic bag hanging on a wall.
I have, for the last few years, grown all my dahlias in pots. I love them but I don't have enough garden to grow them in the ground unless it's to the exclusion of other things. So, they are mostly in pots that are at least 14 inches, and do very well. I was going to ask about overwintering. I have had mixed success wrapping them up in their pots and leaving outside. 60/50 survival rate? Maybe a bit higher but not much. I thought I might take some out and overwinter as tubers this year. Any advice as to when to do this? I have read that you should wait until the first frost kills back the foliage. Some of mine are actually still flowering (just about). I think we might have had a frost last week while I was on holiday, but the foliage is still intact, if a bit nibbled and raggy. Would it work cutting back and extracting now? (SE London). I too want the pots for tulips... I may try overwintering some in pots and stick in my (new!) greenhouse as well to see if that helps.
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Although I am branching out this year with David Howard and Black Jack.
I think I will either plant the Waltzing Matilda or the Bishop of Auckland all together in a large galvanised tub rather than potted separately.
Queried this last year and it's probably better to be careful on the watering initially. Think of all the shrivelled tubers you see in garden centres showing buds despite being stuck in nothing but a plastic bag hanging on a wall.
I was going to ask about overwintering. I have had mixed success wrapping them up in their pots and leaving outside. 60/50 survival rate? Maybe a bit higher but not much. I thought I might take some out and overwinter as tubers this year. Any advice as to when to do this? I have read that you should wait until the first frost kills back the foliage. Some of mine are actually still flowering (just about). I think we might have had a frost last week while I was on holiday, but the foliage is still intact, if a bit nibbled and raggy. Would it work cutting back and extracting now? (SE London). I too want the pots for tulips...
I may try overwintering some in pots and stick in my (new!) greenhouse as well to see if that helps.