Thanks -

It has been similar weather here. Pretty steamy. I don't know why, but I have never gotten mildew on the dahlias.

I have never "dusted" with anything. how do you apply it? I spotted some d. earth the other day, but it seemed really pricey - $4 something for what amounted to 2 cups. I wasn't sure how I would spread it. do you use some sort of tool, or apply it by hand ? I have a small kitchen strainer with pretty fine mesh that maybe would work.

Parkland Savoy looks mighty nice! That pic is just perfect! I also like Monet Glory?

I buy the DE in 4 lb. bags at Home Depot or Lowes. It's $8-9 a bag.

I just sprinkle it over the leaves and put some around the stalk so the 'wigs have to crawl through it to climb up the plant. The strainer might be too fine. I use a bottle with a shaker top. It's very fine powder and clogs easily. So I use a top with bigger holes like on the jars that Parmesan cheese comes in. I have a hard time believing the coarseness of the powder tears their bodies as claimed. I'm more of the belief that the silica in the powder dries out their insides when they eat it on the leaves. Even with well over 100 plants, a bag lasts me a year or more.

Thanks Dan!

So far not too much damage due to earwigs. I don't seem to have JBs here. I'm thinking I'm a lucky gal. Just those darn black aphids. Here are a few more blooms.
Firefly

Giggles

Gitts Attention

Holly Hills Black Beauty

I have never seen an earwig on a dahlia. I put down a bunch of Bug Getta Plus around each plant in the spring and it seems to do the trick.

My dahlias are starting to come on strong now.
Aloha

Bonne Esperance

Cherish

Lookin good Connie

Thanks Geof. It's fun going out to the dahlia patch every day to see if any new ones have bloomed.

I've been getting a few blooms but the JB's have gotten to them before I could get any photos. I had a Kelvin Floodlight open a few days ago. It's now about 8" but looks like it's been through three world wars. I might just go ahead and break off any buds starting to open until these pests are done. It looks like this Casa de Cassia, that I got from my aunt, is all I have to contribute for the time being that's photo-worthy.

Wow Dan, that Casa de Cassia is gorgeous! I love the subtle edging it has.

Thanks, Jeff. I wasn't a fan when it first opened but the more I see it, the more I like it. I guess I won't have to lie to my aunt after all if she asks me if I like it. LOL

I love picoteed edging like that - I'll have to keep my eyes open for that one next year.

A few more
Jennifer's Wedding

Jiiterbug

Juuls Alstar

Kenora Wildfire

Wonderful dahlias blooms, Connie! I am so glad to see such beautiful blooms in other areas of the country not affected by bugs. Once in awhile I get a nice bloom for just a day before the insects find it. I love the deep color of Jennifer's Wedding and the pretty colors blend of Aloha.

CLC70, I too have Jitterbug and I love it.

Dan, I don't often ask this but if you have any spare viable tubers at the end of the season of that Casa de Cassia I would happily find a home for them in my collection

Dan, your Casa de Cassia is lovely! I may decide I need that one next year. Sigh, if I keep up with my list of "needs" my 6 acres isn't gonna be enough.
Many thanks Karen. I've bee fortunate so far with bug damage. In years past the earwigs have done a lot of damage. A little early yet, may see some damage as summer progresses.

Thanks, Connie!

Jeff, remind me this fall at digging time. I planted it as a clump and hopefully, it will make some new tubers. I'm not a big fan of the smaller blooms but I do like this one.

What's the diameter of the blooms?

It's 3 1/2" - 4".