I really love this article, Sharon!
Dahlias are always dear to our hearts for a special reason - my husband and I both grew up in Erfurt/Thüringen ( Germany) which is called the Blumenstadt/Flower Town and has always been known for its beautiful Dahlias. You will find them everywhere, in people's gardens, official parks, at shows. They grow simply beautiful there, no flopping over, they stay straight and behave! I don't ever remember Dahlias needing to be staked there.
Now Erfurt has a cooler climate, perhaps closer to that of Maine, USA and I always thought that was the reason.
I have tried many times to grow some in my garden here in NJ, but they just do what you report here, they get humongous and just flop over. I staked and the whole thing /Dahlia and stake flopped down. After years of trying I gave up.
Glad to know I was not the only one having trouble!
