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Tree Dahlia, buds at last

GrajeanGrajean Posts: 447
Tree Dahlia, buds at last, after 4 years patiently waiting there are lots of buds, its at least 7 feet tall and in a pot As its so late in the year will it survive and the flower buds open? Its rooted itself into the ground as well.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I see no one has responded to your query @Grajean, so hopefully my reply will bump your post up and someone will be able to help  :)
    I can't help you myself - but I have the feeling they're quite difficult to get into flower. I think they need a very long season or something, and they aren't reliably hardy - like the usual dahlias - so need some protection. 
    If you've had it outdoors for 4 years though, it does suggest your climate should be fine for it   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited November 2022
    @Grajean I think the problem could be related to the length of the season too.
    Monty Don has grown them but not sure if there has been a programme showing them in flower. I seem to think they make a good foliage plant however your patience has paid off to get them to flower is great. Perhaps with changes in weather patterns they will flower more reliably in the future. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I suspect it is a race between the buds forming and the first frosts.  Maybe the buds are there because of this years exceptional heat?
  • GrajeanGrajean Posts: 447
    I'm in NW France. Warmer here than in UK but turning chilly now at night. I could fleece it, if I try to move it undercover the roots will snap! Really want to see it flower.
    Thanks for replies
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I hope it flowers for you @Grajean. :)
    I think I slightly misunderstood your opening post - I thought you'd had it outdoors for 4 years, but perhaps you haven't? As @fidgetbones says - perhaps that extra bit of strong heat has just been enough to get it to that stage. 
    Fleece might be the way to go if it's rooting down through the pot. It would be a shame to undo your work in getting it this far.
    Maybe next year, you could have it in the ground if that's possible?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GrajeanGrajean Posts: 447
    Hi Fairygirl
    Every year it dies down so I leave it in the pot and store in cold greenhouse. Its only this year its decided to root through the pot and GROW like crazy! Fingers crossed the buds open.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I know that people in the South who grow them, say they are lucky if they get them to flower by the end of November, which of course means that some years they are hit by frost before that.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • My friend in Suffolk grows one...no flowers but interesting stem.

    Seen elsewhere....
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • I'm sure @Fire is growing one of these, possibly also has buds if I remember rightly. 
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