The Colorado Dahlia Society publishes what they call the “Biglist”. This list is very handy when trying to locate a source for a specific variety.

http://dahlias.net/dbiglist.ht...

Just as an example, I see 4 suppliers that probably have ‘Bahama Mama’

Also, it is very convenient to have links to 65 different dahlia suppliers… this makes for some serious shopping:)

frankrichards16 said:The Colorado Dahlia Society publishes what they call the “Biglist”. This list is very handy when trying to locate a source for a specific variety.

http://dahlias.net/dbiglist.ht...

Just as an example, I see 4 suppliers that probably have ‘Bahama Mama’

Also, it is very convenient to have links to 65 different dahlia suppliers… this makes for some serious shopping:)

OMG! this link will cause hours of delighted shopping!

so which vendors are ya'll's favorites?

has anyone seen a list of those that stand my hot, humid summers well - 7B?

VERY helpful Frank!

Thank you!

It is a wonderful list. Ordering one or two from several companies does make the shipping cost something to keep in mind.

Sharon - while I don't have recommendations for the humidity situation, I would say to keep them well spaced so mildew doesn't attack them. It does get to some of mine during October. They do want air circulation and I failed with that since the three Peaches 'n Cream grew to 6' tall and ended up very wide, which blocked a lot of the breeze they needed.

Favorites: (alpha order)

Accent Dahlias - Ken Greenway. Nice video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... This is his site but next week he will have his 2014 site up and running.
http://www.dahliasuppliers.com... He is just as nice on the phone as he is on the video.

Corralitos Dahlias (not Corralito's) Kevin Larkin is a very nice guy, too! http://cgdahlias.com/index.htm...

Dan's Dahlias - the site: http://shop.dansdahlias.com/ Dan is the owner. Very nice video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Hollyhill Dahlias - already has sold out some varieties but the site is open and ready for ordering! Ready, set, go! http://www.hollyhilldahlias.co...

Swan Island Dahlias - very highly regarded!!! http://www.dahlias.com/viewall...

Very good video on digging and dividing dahlias. Even if you don't live in an area where the earth freezes, watch this video to see how to dig and divide or you may find, as I did, dahlias can get so huge they are starved for food and they can die a slow death. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... Some dahlias provide a lot of tubers with eyes and some will only give you very few - that's normal.

There are so many more dahlia vendors. My personal preference is to buy from only dahlia vendors and not online sites that sell a multitude of plants but...I have a great dahlia friend who has had fabulous luck with even (sigh) Michigan Bulb Company.

Also, don't disregard Home Depot, Lowe's, or Walmart. In early March, here in NY, they have the full assortment so don't dismiss them. If you watch the video about digging/dividing and feel it might be more work than you want (especially in nasty cold, dank weather) you just might decide not to dig and just buy a few bags of them at $6.98 or $9.98 - well worth it. Each bag can have 3 to 4 dahlias.

You can pot them up in ONLY slightly dampened medium and put them in a sunny window. DO NOT water again until you see growth and then only lightly. More tubers will die from too much water than not enough.

Sharon - it would be worth it to you to call the vendor of your choice (maybe one in your zone or in your area) since they'd be more acquainted with your heat and humidity.

Great post Frank.. Surely plenty there to while away the winter... Which is beginning to fall here today...

We've gone from 48 but not sunny, then down to 37 in one hour, rain, then snow, pause, heavier snow and now no snow. The lawn is green and I'm inside, warm and content not to garden today!

I have ordered Dahlias from many sources: Swan Island, Lynch Creek, Dan’s, Alpen, Red Hawk, Frey’s, Homestead, Connell’s, Mohawk, Brecks, Wayside Gardens, Lobaugh, Old House Gardens, Gilbert H. Wild, GardenHarvestSupply, Michigan Dahlia Society, & Crazy Dahlia Lady.

I would not buy again from Crazy Dahlia Lady. Not sure they are still in business.

My favorite is Swan Island Dahlias. Many purchases over the years, always good results. I did visit their farm a few years ago...

Also rans would be Dan’s, Lynch Creek, Alpen, & Lobaugh’s

Note that Swan Island & Lobaugh are breeders. Connell was also a breeder, but they have closed up shop. Oh yes, Frey’s in Oregon has also bred.

Frey’s is a small operation in Oregon. Good source. I have an original from Frey’s called ‘Speckled Tim”. I like it!

Old House Gardens is the best place to look for Heirlooms. Some of the smaller sources like Homestead, Mohawk & Red Hawk also usually have a good selection of heirlooms. However, the tubers you receive from small suppliers may or may not have the consistency of the tubers you would receive from a powerhouse like Swan Island. One of my favorite Heirlooms is ‘Jersey Beauty’.

I ordered Dahlia ‘Garden Show’ from Brecks many years ago. It seems to be from Europe & is not listed in the US. It remains as one of my favorites.

Really like that last one, Frank.

GordonHawk said:

Thanks Frank and Pirl. I will book mark these, I might need to start taking notes!

Just found this video and thought it was excellent. It's about dahlias grown as "pot cuttings" but he also shows and explains how to cut up a dahlia into pieces:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Very nice!

Love this mix of Akita dahlias and just might order them. It's hard to resist anything beautiful with all the snow we see from every window!

http://www.dutchgardens.com/de...

wowsers - some good sale prices there. I'm adding them to my list of suppliers.

I've been terribly disappointed with their clematises but the dahlias and bulbs have been fine.

Old House Gardens graciously gave me a credit for the dahlias I had trouble with last year. They have amazing customer service!

Since my dahlia growing confidence has been shaken I decided to try my hand at some of the fabulous gladiolas. But I did order one dahlia, Tommy Keith

http://www.oldhousegardens.com...

It's always good to hear when a company gives the customer credit. I'm getting four replacement dahlias for the four that didn't even send up any growth at all.

Tommy Keith reminds me a bit of Jamaica, a gift from a dahlia buddy:

Time to check your dahlias from 2013 now that we're getting some warmer weather. At least we can check them in the garage or basement or attic steps and not freeze like last weekend!

pirl said:Love this mix of Akita dahlias and just might order them. It's hard to resist anything beautiful with all the snow we see from every window!

http://www.dutchgardens.com/de...

Love the Akitas.

Those are just beautiful. I will have to wait till next year but I definitely want that one!

@pirl, try not to order from Dutch Gardens they do not seem to be doing very well right now.


http://davesgarden.com/product...