Just bear in mind that rain doesn't always get down into the soil well @sarahharmer2014 , due to the canopy of dense foliage on dahlias, so keep a check on the moisture level in your soil on a regular basis. It has to be fairly heavy/substantial, and regular enough to really wet soil properly, and in raised beds, the drainage is more rapid than in the open ground in a border I still have to water mine most days [although they're in pots rather than in the raised beds] even though we have no shortage of regular rain. It's the same with sweet peas - loads of food and water to keep them happy Browning of edges can happen in very hot spells though, especially if it's prolonged. A day or two of very high temps is different from a week or two of hot sun at a slightly lower temp. It's also harder for the plants to keep those extremities hydrated.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The plant in the last photo looks generally sickly. How good is your soil, and how well fed and watered has it been? Dahlias are very hungry plants. If they're potted, they need a rich, soil based medium to grow in, not just a compost. Then food once they're growing. In a border, the soil also needs to be hearty, especially if there are lots of other plants, so plenty of organic matter in there before planting out.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The plant in the last photo looks generally sickly. How good is your soil, and how well fed and watered has it been? Dahlias are very hungry plants. If they're potted, they need a rich, soil based medium to grow in, not just a compost. Then food once they're growing. In a border, the soil also needs to be hearty, especially if there are lots of other plants, so plenty of organic matter in there before planting out.
The soil is heavy clay but it's mixed with fresh compost. It's been raining here nearly every day since the last post. And feed it with tomato feed.
The plant in the last photo looks generally sickly. How good is your soil, and how well fed and watered has it been? Dahlias are very hungry plants. If they're potted, they need a rich, soil based medium to grow in, not just a compost. Then food once they're growing. In a border, the soil also needs to be hearty, especially if there are lots of other plants, so plenty of organic matter in there before planting out.
Also I have noticed it's only this type of dahlia, all the others are doing well but very slow in flowering.
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I still have to water mine most days [although they're in pots rather than in the raised beds] even though we have no shortage of regular rain. It's the same with sweet peas - loads of food and water to keep them happy
Browning of edges can happen in very hot spells though, especially if it's prolonged. A day or two of very high temps is different from a week or two of hot sun at a slightly lower temp. It's also harder for the plants to keep those extremities hydrated.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Dahlias are very hungry plants. If they're potted, they need a rich, soil based medium to grow in, not just a compost. Then food once they're growing. In a border, the soil also needs to be hearty, especially if there are lots of other plants, so plenty of organic matter in there before planting out.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...