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Dahlia Issue

Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
in Plants
Hi,

First year of growing dahlias. Planted two tubers early spring indoors in pots. By end of April they had put on a lot of growth. Two weeks later (10th May) they had grown so much they outgrew the pots they were in so put them outdoors. Since putting them outside in larger pots they have barely grown at all since 10th May. Have attached some pictures. Am I being too impatient or should they have grown in the last 9 days? I have been watering them regularly and also have them one nitrogen feed after planting outdoors to encourage green growth. They are in a spot on the patio that gets full sunlight. Any advice is much appreciated. 

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    It would have been good to harden them off for a few weeks, bring them inside at night, to let them get used to the temp changes.
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
    Fire said:
    It would have been good to harden them off for a few weeks, bring them inside at night, to let them get used to the temp changes.
    Ah ok thanks. Do you think they will be ok and end up growing fully or would you bring them back in now at night? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    When you're able to leave them out all the time depends on where you are, how well they're doing once acclimatised, and what your temps and general weather are like.
    I've been putting mine out on good days over the last week or so, and they're now outside. They're in a sheltered site though, because it's very windy here, and we get heavy rain regularly. 
    If you've had them out though, there isn't much point in bringing them back in. You'd only do that if there was very low overnight temps in your forecast. Anything around five or more overnight is fine. Heavy rain and wind can damage them though, so a sheltered site is best if you're in a location which is getting lots of that. 

    They need lots of food and water, but they need a feed that promotes flowering, not foliage. High nitrogen foods promote leaf growth.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    They look fine, growth always slows down when you go from hot to cool.
    Water and feed regularly, they are greedy plants.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
    Fairygirl said:
    When you're able to leave them out all the time depends on where you are, how well they're doing once acclimatised, and what your temps and general weather are like.
    I've been putting mine out on good days over the last week or so, and they're now outside. They're in a sheltered site though, because it's very windy here, and we get heavy rain regularly. 
    If you've had them out though, there isn't much point in bringing them back in. You'd only do that if there was very low overnight temps in your forecast. Anything around five or more overnight is fine. Heavy rain and wind can damage them though, so a sheltered site is best if you're in a location which is getting lots of that. 

    They need lots of food and water, but they need a feed that promotes flowering, not foliage. High nitrogen foods promote leaf growth.  :)
    Thanks for this detailed response. I thought as it was early in their growth to give them high nitrogen feed then once they have reached the right height give them a more potash rich feed for flowering? 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    High potash feed is what they need. I would give tomato feed every 2 weeks.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The problem with over feeding early on, especially with a nitrogen rich food, is that you can get a lot of soft growth. That can be counterproductive, as it can be more vulnerable to pests, and weather damage.
    If you've potted them on each time they get a bit bigger, the compost you put them in will be enough until you get them in their final position - whether that's in a pot or in the ground  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
    Thanks guys. 
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