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Growing Dahlias In a planter

elaineb427pbihiQTgelaineb427pbihiQTg Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi,

I am a novice Gardener looking for some advice on growing dahlias. We made this planter and I was wondering if it would be suitable for dahlias as I love them but have never grown them before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Would 1 tuber be ok in each section or do I need more. The area of the garden is partial sun/shade. Do I need a particular compost or is multi purpose sufficient?? Thank you 😊 
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  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    I can't entirely grasp the scale,  though going off it looking two decking boards wide my feeling would be one tuber per the taller square and at a push two per lower rectangle. 

     It likely depends on the type of dahlia too as they vary in size. It may be worth measuring your planter up and then checking the sizes of the dahlias you fancy.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Small, bedding dahlias should be ok. Do you have drainage holes? I would use multi purpose and JH2 with a bit of grit.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    As well as drainage holes, you'll also need to line it, or much of the moisture will be taken by the timber. There might be enough drainage if the gaps in the timber are sufficient. 
    Dahlias need lots of food and water, and even more so in a container of any kind. You'd be making it  much harder to get them thriving if the timber is left as it is.  :)

    There's a huge range of dahlias, so you'll have to choose carefully as the others have said. The bottom section won't have enough depth for the bigger types.
    A mix with J.Innes would certainly be better than just compost. You could also try rotted manure mixed in, or instead of the JI. It needs to be a mix that won't become bone dry easily, which is what happens with compost on it's own.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I grow a few dahlias in containers to have them close to the house but my pots are very large, 12 inches deep and 15 ins square, per plant. I agree that your planter would be OK for the small bedding type dahlias which you can grow from seed. The giant dahlias would need much bigger pots, they nearly all need to be staked. If you go to a GC and look at the purpose made dahlia stakes it will give you an idea of how big the pots would need to be, if you want to grow the spectacular decoratives etc. 
    Dahlias are gross feeders and also need a lot of water because they carry so much leaf and stem, almost succulents. 
    Your planter is fine for small plants but not for pompom, decorative or intermediate dahlias I am afraid. I think a single border dahlia in each section would also be pushing it a bit.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I wouldn't put dahlias in there.  They have lots of foliage so the top layer would be crowded out by the foliage of the bottom layer and tbh even that layer doesn't look deep or wide enough.  Unless you grow some bedding dahlias from seed - that might work.  
    But it is a pretty planter.  If it were mine I would stand terracotta pots of herbs in each of the compartments.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I agree with @didyw, there's not enough root depth in your planter for the really impressive dahlias. (I'm not a fan of bedding dahlias!)  It's a very nice planter though and would make a good container for herbs if lined or in pots.

    You could also grow alpines in it if you use lots of grit in the soil, a ratio of 75% grit/ 25% soil.  You'll need to ensure that the planter is raised to allow for good drainage whatever you decide to grow.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm inclined to agree that it might be better suited to something else altogether.
    Alpines would definitely be a good choice, and herbs and succulents, but equally - with the right soil and well lined to retain moisture, auriculas.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    Fairygirl said:
     - with the right soil and well lined to retain moisture, auriculas.  :)
    Auriculas - oh yes!
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • elaineb427pbihiQTgelaineb427pbihiQTg Posts: 2
    Thanks all, I should have said that the picture was taken when it was first made and before the drainage holes and liner were in. We used it for herbs last year but it was too big really. Going to give it some thought and may scrap the Dahlia idea and try something else instead. Thanks for your replies!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited February 2022
    Ah - that's good you did all the right things with the holes and lining it @elaineb427pbihiQTg :)
    Good luck with whatever you decide, and take some photos, and post them,  once you have it all done. Experimenting is always good fun - even if it doesn't always work  ;)

    I should have said too- if you like lettuce- you could have grown some in it with your herbs. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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