Oh I just love dahlias in arrangements. They keep well and come in all colors and styles. I call this one my Dahlia Splendor!

This giant dahlia reached about 7' last year and was full of blooms.

Favorites of mine because I love the burgundy colors.

Here is the giant I was talking about!

A single bloom.

Those dahlias are beautiful. I wish they were hardy here. I have to start them indoors and then dig them in the fall, so I don't do too many. Your photos inspire me to try more, though.
cindi

I have to dig them as well, but will tell you my secret - I start mine in those plastic pots you get at the nursery and then just put the pot about 3/4 into the ground leaving enough above ground to grab and pull when the plants are finished. Then rather than dig the tubers and cut them in pieces (which I have done) I just lift them and dump,wash and store for the next season. Thanks for the kind words.

This is a beauty in the garden and the vase.

Cactus dahlia last and extraordinary long time in arrangements.

Hi Candee - I have always wondered how deep you put the pots in. 3/4 of the way down is all? So the roots extend out the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and into the garden soil??? So tuber growth is confined to how much space is in the 1 gallon pots themselves?

I had envisioned that the pot is buried about 2 inches below the soil surface, and feeder roots would develop on the stalk that is below ground. How long have you done the buried pots method? I have about 6 more dahlias to put into the ground, so I can still try the pot-in-the-ground method!

Hope all your plants are growing well. We got our first day over 100 degrees yesterday - 103, and same for today. UGH.

I put them about 1-2" in the ground as you thought and have had great success. Occasionally a tuber will get a new growth through the drain hole and then I just have to cut the pot to get it out. The roots do extend out and the plants really thrive, like I said I have had them get 6 1/2' tall. When I first started doing this a few years ago I actually buried the pot for asthetic value but found that is not necessary and you can't really see the pots for all the other garden growth.
We have had 90+ temps for a couple weeks and not a drop of rain???? Hoping everything can survive.