Mary - when I was cleaning up my potting bench for the winter, I spotted them and brought them to the kitchen so they've been there since late Dec. or early January.
I received my catalog from Swan Island today. I can see why you all like them. After looking at their drawings of dividing tubers, I don't think I got eyes on a lot of mine. Huh!! I might have to place an order just in case mine don't make it!
When all is said and done, there’s more said than done.
It's a cool but sunny day and I thought I'd collect samples for my soil test before the beds are covered with snow again. I'm only testing the two areas where the dahlias didn't seem to do as well as in others last year. The soil hasn't been tested in several years. I just get the basic test. It's done by the U. of Mass. They make recommendations for what may need to be added. These testing sites get busier toward spring and they recommend samples be sent from Dec.thru Feb. Whether it helps or not, at least it makes you feel a little better about things.
I planted 32 Unwin dahlia seeds on 2/28. A flash of green caught my eye when I entered the plant room. Upon closer inspection 21 of the 32 have germinated so far. It will be fun watching them develop.
29 of 32 as of this morning. I hadn't expected such a high germination rate. Had about an inch of snow two days ago. Gone today. Beautiful sunny morning supposed to get into the 50's.
We received a major dump over the last two days. Maybe four inches or so. Is melting as we 'speak.' Stuff in my garage greenhouse is doing well. Need to figure out why my tiny poppy seedlings are croaking. I think they need to be further away from the light bars contrary to what you would think. You know, keep the light 2" from the babies. I think it is too hot for those particular plants.
I got a packet of Dandy Dahlia seeds from 'The Sample Seed Shop' 48 have come up and growing nicely. They worked so well that I bought a package of seeds from Shopko. There are 28 poking through. I know these will most likely only be around 3 inch flowers, but I sure they will be beautiful .The flowers of dahlias last so long and the plant produces so many flowers that I absolutely love them. They will be a great addition to my big dahlias, and I can share with neighbors.
I have grown the Dandy's before. I enjoyed them, but they didn't have long enough stems to use much as cut flowers. They do bloom much earlier than the regular dahlias. I once had a few blooms while they were still inside under lights, and they bloomed all season. I am sure you will enjoy them.
I have never grown dahlias from seeds. I guess it is no different from growing the other annuals I usually grow from seed. I just figured they wouldn't have time to bloom. If I start them now they cannot go outside til at the earliest May 15 (if I push the zone) and freeze up comes late Sept usually. If you can call our recent weather (last year or so) usual. I am thinking it is time to go pull out the tubers. Shudder....I know I should wait til at least the end of March but I am soooo curious about who really survived, or at least survived to this point. Some will look ok then croak due to my mishandling and others that are so so will do okay. Although most that are borderline aren't worth the time or money. I have actually gotten to planting them outdoors and found them to have lived in the tuber and are just gone at the roots. Never will amount to anything.
I've grown the Unwins in the past but never tried growing them from seeds. I'm sure it's more satisfying to grow your own that way. But I was too lazy or didn't have the time so I bought clumps from Holland Bulb Farms. They have them on sale right now. Fifteen clumps for $17.48.
29 out of 32 Unwins. Replanted the 3 empty cells today. They are very sturdy little seedlings. Very stocky looking. Wow Dan that sounds like a great deal! My packet of seeds was $.99. Tray was $1.29 and cells were $2.49. Tray and cells will be reused.
Here are my little seedlings. I think I will have flowers by the first of July.
All the little seedlings went out to the greenhouse today. I can have my kitchen counter back.
Boy, that is impressive. I really have to try that some spring. I think it might be too late for this year. Planting out is May 20-31 unless the weather gets much better and I get riskier.
The little bedding dahlias grow pretty fast. As I remember, you have blooms in about 2 months. I haven't grown the Unwins, but I have tried several others.
Name: Etelka Augusta, ga (Zone 8a) Don't build tall fences,
I am working today on my new dahlia bed, all my tubers did sprout, will give some away to a friend that has more space then I got. I think I got her hooked on dahlias, but it is a good thing. This will be my new dahlia bed.
