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Dahlia - worth persevering

Steady EddieSteady Eddie Posts: 79
in Plants
I have for the past few years grown Dahlia in pots with success.  However, last year I lost a few due to the weather.  This dahlia, previously a large plant, has only managed a small amount of growth.  Is it worth continuing to nurture the shoot or am I wasting my time.
I am aware it won’t flower this year but will it thrive in future years?

Posts

  • Steady EddieSteady Eddie Posts: 79
    Sorry forgot to post a picture. This is the pathetic shoot. (It was a large plant before)
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    It’s only July I’d give it a chance . I’ve found that with peat free compost they need much more watering than usual . Mine are just about budding now but give yours a chance it may flower yet ,I’ve been feeding mine since they were your size but as I said the compost didn’t hold the moisture ,most of its run right through.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If it was a large plant before, it suggests the other tubers may have rotted, and either that's the only bit that's survived, or it's a new shoot which has come off the rest of the plant - ie a root cutting. 
    I think if that was mine, I'd tip the pot out and see what it looks like. If the rest is dead, take it all off, and then repot that healthy bit to grow on - but in a suitable sized pot  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
    If you do as Fairygirl suggested it should have formed a new decent-sized tuber by the end of the season
  • Steady EddieSteady Eddie Posts: 79
    Thank you all for your advice. You were spot on Fairygirl - the tubers were rotting and I’ve been left with a new shoot.  I’ve repotted in a more appropriately sized pot and will keep my fingers crossed.  Thank you all
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's great @Steady Eddie. At least you now have a plant which should bulk up a good bit by autumn.  :)
    It doesn't take much for the tubers to fail, especially if they're out all winter, but even when under cover, they can get damp quite easily, and unless you're constantly checking them, it can spread quickly and the whole thing's gone.  
    Glad you've got it sorted - hope it does well now for you   :)
    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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