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Post by SuePerduper on Sept 2, 2007 10:27:32 GMT
I've won a prize at work. It's a Dahlia in a packet with the instructions to plant Mar-May. Hmmmm. I did tactfully ask if this prize came from the back of the Boss' shed but was assured that it was purchased on Thursday from Asda. Hmmm. (Mind you, he didn't say which Thursday
Does anyone know if it would be better to plant it now for a few weeks growth or whether I should keep it in a cool dark place over the winter and hope that it is still alive for planting next spring?
Soup
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Post by Shuggie on Sept 2, 2007 12:03:21 GMT
If you have a tuber, put it in a pot with some dryish peat (cover it completely) and keep it in a cool place until March.
Pot it up in moist (but not wet) compost in March and stand it on a shady windowsill. When the first shoots appear, start watering normally. Don't forget to harden it off before planting out in about May (or, depending on where you live, when all danger of frosts is past).
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Post by tigerlily on Sept 2, 2007 12:55:15 GMT
The ex's dad was famed for his dahlias. They were left to die back once finished flowering, then I think the shoots chopped off and the tubers wrapped in newspaper and stored in the back of the garage under straw.
It's far too late to plant it. Shuggie has the best idea. Don't leave it in the plastic bag as it will most likely rot.
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Post by Nutella on Sept 2, 2007 18:10:07 GMT
Please advise where I've gone wrong with mine! I followed steps one two and three  Planted them out, but no flowers this year. Is that normal for the first year in the garden? Foliage looks very healthy, but the way - perhaps I should prune? |
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Post by SuePerduper on Sept 3, 2007 10:57:55 GMT
Thanks for your replies. You have confirmed my suspicions about the best method. It is now stuffed in a pot of compost in a cool place until next Spring.
Soup.
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Post by carlott on Sept 3, 2007 13:04:48 GMT
Thanks for your replies. You have confirmed my suspicions about the best method. It is now stuffed in a pot of compost in a cool place until next Spring. Soup. Bet you forget it  |
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Post by Shuggie on Sept 3, 2007 15:12:17 GMT
Please advise where I've gone wrong with mine! I followed steps one two and three Planted them out, but no flowers this year. Is that normal for the first year in the garden? Foliage looks very healthy, but the way - perhaps I should prune? Prune the main shoots to encourage them to branch. Feed fortnightly with a high potash feed such as Tomorite or Phostrogen. Plenty of sun and plenty of moisture and it should flower. |
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Post by Nutella on Sept 4, 2007 6:22:37 GMT
Thanks Shuggie - sorry to have hijacked the original question.
Oops.
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Post by faeryboots on Sept 4, 2007 8:53:49 GMT
The twelve year old dahlia expert here says that you should also wrap the pot in straw so that the compost doesn't freeze, otherwise you will loose your dahlia.
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Post by Shuggie on Sept 4, 2007 12:53:18 GMT
The twelve year old dahlia expert here says that you should also wrap the pot in straw so that the compost doesn't freeze, otherwise you will loose your dahlia. If you will live in a frosty part of this island .. Stand it on a shelf in the garage .. or the shed .. |
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