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Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)    MargieNY Feb 3, 2018 1:03 PM CST |
| I will be purchasing more dahlias. Do most growers use tomato cages to secure dahlias or do you have other suggestions? I am considering these. Has anyone tried these?: https://www.kinsmangarden.com/... |
Name: Dan NE Ohio (Zone 6a) psudan Feb 3, 2018 2:07 PM CST |
| The method of staking depends a lot on how many dahlias you grow (or how much $$ you're willing to spend. LOL). The past few years, I've had over 150. So, I'd have to hit the lottery to afford all the cages, supports, etc. I use 1/2" electrical conduit and the green tie ribbon. Some of the stakes are 5 years old. Most stay in the ground year-round and still have the shining coating. Five foot lengths are around $2 at Home Depot. |
Name: Dan NE Ohio (Zone 6a) psudan Feb 3, 2018 4:14 PM CST |
| I noticed that the tallest support in your link is 36". If you're growing anything other than the short varieties, you'll need higher support. All but a few of the dahlias I grow are between 4 and 5 feet tall and most are the bigger dinnerplate type. Those big blooms are even heavier when wet. Without good support, it would be, "Timber"! After driving my stakes 12" into the ground, I'm left with 4' to use for support. I've often wished it was more. |
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) MargieNY Feb 3, 2018 4:59 PM CST |
| Thank you for your responses and warnings. Actually I was planning on purchasing some of these: http://www.dahlias.com/lowgrow... and these: https://www.mzbulb.com/C/59/Ga... I thought a few of these shorter dahlia's would be suitable companions for my rose bushes. I am already addicted to roses and irises. Thank goodness I have run out of real estate as I can easily see how dahlia's would be a new addiction. Do you think these shorter dahlia's will require staking? I read somewhere that one does not have to stake the gallery or border type dahlia's - of course, you can't always believe everything you read - ( I read that too) - lol. I was thinking of acquiring the "grow through stakes" as mentioned above for the 3 dahlia's that were gifted to me assuming they make it through this winter. Those were about 28" inches tall. I did try and stake them last summer but, it was too late. #1 I should have pinched them back and #2 stake them when they were originally planted. However, I was not knowledgeable about their proper care and needs. What can I tell you? ... live and learn. |
Name: Dan NE Ohio (Zone 6a) psudan Feb 3, 2018 11:32 PM CST |
| Gallery dahlias would be a good choice. I don't normally stake them but have had some of the heavier bloomers blow over in the past. I haven't grown them for a few years but will need some shorter dahlias for a border this year and hadn't given those a thought. Thanks for mentioning them! I've grown several varieties but my favorite is Pablo. I have no idea why the colors can vary so much from year to year or even from summer to fall. These photos are from 4 or 5 years ago. Not a gallery type, but Firepot is another of my favorite "shorties". Mine are normally 18-24" with 4-5" blooms. I love the bright colors. Pablo - summer  Pablo - fall  Firepot  |
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) MargieNY Feb 4, 2018 2:25 AM CST |
| Dan, these are incredible. I can see I am going to have a tough time deciding which ones to acquire - very addicting. They are potato chips - you just can't have one. Thank you for sharing these dazzling photos |
Name: Arlene Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)        pirl Feb 4, 2018 7:59 AM CST |
| Here's some good basic dahlia information. Just beware of the word "dinnerplate" when it describes a dahlia. Some use it for Akita or Vancouver and they truly don't qualify, plus they're never 3 or 4' for me. https://www.dutchgardens.com/d... Akita  Vancouver  Vancouver (at the extreme right, so you can see the height and how colors fade)  This year I may do some Mignon dahlias for the many window boxes. Here's a link to the Mignon and border dahlias but I've never bought from this place. https://www.gardenia.net/guide... In the past I've bought Mignon and many others from Walmart during March but they cut back their offerings by about 90% last year. Home Depot and Lowe's also cut back but Agway still carries a whooping dozen (generally two to a bag). We're fortunate to have Mandolls/Greg offering his dahlias at a price that can't be beat. I bought a dozen from him this year. |
Name: Dan NE Ohio (Zone 6a) psudan Feb 4, 2018 10:43 AM CST |
| Be very careful! Doctors and scientists are working around the clock but still haven't found a cure for Dahlia Addiction. The colorful new catalogs coming out now only make it worse. LOL |
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) MargieNY Feb 4, 2018 12:29 PM CST |
| Arlene, many thanks for providing these photos, informative links and personal experience. Your garden must be eye-catching. I am sure this will aid in helping me connect the dots... |
Name: Arlene Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) pirl Feb 4, 2018 12:44 PM CST |
| Margie - when you compile your list you can provide us with names and we can tell you our experiences. The sure winner for a huge yellow is Kelvin Floodlight. Decorative Dahlia (Dahlia 'Kelvin Floodlight') |
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) MargieNY Feb 4, 2018 12:47 PM CST |
psudan said:Be very careful! Doctors and scientists are working around the clock but still haven't found a cure for Dahlia Addiction. The colorful new catalogs coming out now only make it worse. LOL Is there a 12 step program for dahlia addicts? |
Name: Dan NE Ohio (Zone 6a) psudan Feb 4, 2018 12:57 PM CST |
| So far, there is only one step. Set up an intervention and ask family and friends to take away your checkbook and shred your credit cards. Anything else is hopeless! The best advice is the same as for drinking and smoking .... DON'T START! LOL |
Name: Mary Stella Anchorage, AK (Zone 4b)       Oberon46 Feb 4, 2018 3:22 PM CST |
DAN - ROTFL   |
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) MargieNY Feb 5, 2018 8:54 PM CST |
pirl said:Margie - when you compile your list you can provide us with names and we can tell you our experiences. The sure winner for a huge yellow is Kelvin Floodlight. I went shopping today, here's my list: From Geof: Fancy Pants Raz Ma Taz Raeann Canis Majori From Swan Island Dahlias: Binky Bitsy Firepot From McClure & Zimmerman: Dahlia Monet Pablo Dahlia Zimmerman is offering Gallery Series Dahlia Sampler, if you are looking for shorter dahlias and they are offering a 10% discount if you order early. https://www.mzbulb.com/P/63187... |
Name: Dan NE Ohio (Zone 6a) psudan Feb 5, 2018 10:14 PM CST |
| Margie, I've never ordered from Brent and Becky's but I checked their rating on the DG Watchdog and it's very good. They have the gallery type you mentioned and I like the fact that you can buy them individually at $3.50 each, 5 for $15, or 10 for $27. Their S&H charges are less than most, 10% of the order total, or a $7 minimum charge. I'm pretty sure I'll be buying some from there. I haven't had the best luck buying from M&Z. |
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) MargieNY Feb 5, 2018 11:33 PM CST |
| Thanks Dan.I ordered tulips from Zimmerman in the past and didn't have a problem. I ordered duplicates of Pablo and Monet from Brent & Becky's. I'll plant & test them all to see which ones emerge. |
Name: Melissa Omaha, NE (Zone 5b)     Melissamaeday Feb 5, 2018 11:47 PM CST |
So much gold information in this post!  Thank you! :)I'm moving out of the purchasing phase of tubers (bye bye backyard), and now am starting to acquire "better" supports. I thought I was super smart last year buying the 4 ft bamboo stakes, but forgot to figure in how much footage they lose when you stick them in the ground. I resorted to using extra bricks I have laying around just to keep some of my dolls propped up. Drastic goofy measures... I found some online primarily weed outfit that is selling steel stakes in bulk...was already figuring on acquiring 100 5 ft ones. After stumbling upon this thread and Dan's comment, I may as well toss some 6 ft stakes on instead! I'm so over Winter!  |
Name: Mary Stella Anchorage, AK (Zone 4b) Oberon46 Feb 6, 2018 11:47 AM CST |
| Melissa, your yard is gorgeous! Such a variety. I don't stake for the most part as my dahlias don't seem to reach the awesome height that Dan, Geof, and Arlene's do. Good thing I guess. But plenty of blooms. |
Name: Dan NE Ohio (Zone 6a) psudan Feb 6, 2018 1:19 PM CST |
| I can live with dahlias that are 5'+ tall, but would prefer all were 4 footers. In the past, I've had some that were never pinched back and grew to 7-8' tall. Not very conducive to staking. Fortunately, that didn't happen too often. Now, I pinch them back when they're 15-18" tall. I don't know if I could or should pinch them back more than once. As long as they're producing nice blooms, I'm a huge fan of "leaving well enough alone". The top blooms in this photo are at least 8 1/2' feet in the air. And the plant was in a sunny spot! Not good! Dahlia "tree"?  |
Name: Mary Stella Anchorage, AK (Zone 4b) Oberon46 Feb 6, 2018 1:28 PM CST |
| Wow Dan. That is humongous. And gorgeous plentiful blooms to boot. I think maybe it doesn't get warm enough here. Average temp summer is only about 59-60. We do get more sun than you do but it is a cool sun. I can grow begonias, hosta and ferns in fullsun where you guys need to put them in the shade so they don't get burnt. |
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