With so many new members coming aboard I thought it might be nice to introduce ourselves to each other a bit.
I am Geof aka mandolls.
I have been growing dahlias for about 10 years now. I started small, with about 8 different plants, and last year had close to 150 in the ground. I have mostly added to my stash through trading tubers, but this year have ordered about 40 new ones from various dealers.
I have never shown dahlias, I live in a small town in WI about an hour and a half from the nearest Dahlia Society, which is just to far for me to want to go to meetings. I am more interested in dahlias as cut flowers than as perfect show flowers anyway, and envision possibly selling to local florists in the future, but right now its just all about growing for my own pleasure.
My favorite forms over the years have been Waterlilies and Cactus, but I am becoming more and more interested in Anemone, Orchids and Stellars and am adding a number of each of those this year.
I also grow a smallish vegetable garden , and start some perennials, and all of my veg and annuals from seed under lights in my studio. the last few years I have grown over 1000 plants from seed each year. I am becoming more and more interested in Lilies (asiatic, oriental and trumpet) and Iris and have been adding more each year. Last year I put in my first roses (7 bushes) and if they do well may be adding more.
In the real world , I teach at the local University in the Art and Design Dept, specializing in ceramics. I live with my partner and 3 cats in a small house with not nearly enough sunny yard for my ever expanding gardens.