What are /r/dahlias' favorite Products & Services?

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They were from Mr Fothergill's that I ordered via Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Fothergills-14600-Dahlia-Pompon/dp/B00FQCU250/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=pom+pom+dahlia+seeds+fothergill&qid=1620828273&sr=8-2

I apologize for the late response. I'm curious, how big are your containers and what are they made of? Did they rot or freeze?

Where I live, we do not receive snow and actually get very little rain.

When I plant my tubers (or anything for that matter), I always amend the potting soil with perlite to add extra drainage. I do this because I know that during spring and summer I will need to water my dahlias more often than if they were in the ground.

My dahlias are all planted in wood barrel planters. I don't use saucers, but my containers are all propped up using planter risers.

If your saucers are attached to the container it sounds like they're plastic? I highly recommend not using plastic planters for dahlias. Wood, stone, terracotta are preferred.

There are 2 methods I have used. The easiest is to buy the little packets the florists use for their arrangements, you can get a case of them pretty cheap - example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CHQJJI/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_EDMATPNX42J7WHSW2CCB

The second method which is what my grandma used, is to set the cut ends in boiled water for an hour. The water should be really hot throughout the hour, so it’s best to change it every 15 minutes or so. She would keep a kettle on, and pour some into a vase (about 2 inches deep), put the dahlias in and then after about 15 minutes, pour a couple of inches into a 2nd vase and transfer the flowers to that one. I personally haven’t tried this method, but I think it works better than the packets.

Such devices do exist: Remote temp monitor

I also live in zone 5(b) (front range). Because of the risk of cold weather, I could never plant my dahlias outside before mid-May.

I started my dahlia tubers in pots last year but did not wait 6 weeks to transplant. I think you should definitely start them in pots. Your plants will get a much later start otherwise and you might not get many flowers before your first frost. I'd have the pots and potting soil all purchased and ready to go when they arrive. If you've never done dahlias before, you do need rather large pots.

I use these 1/2 Gal. Plastic Nursery Pots I bought on Amazon. They are a little tight, but my dahlias aren't going to spend much time in them anyway. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2D67U6/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_7NJ560RFEH0HHKR1NJPK I have 100 of these pots, and I might get to use all of them this year since I have many many saved tubers and some purchased tubers on their way. We shall see...

You might be able to use plastic or cardboard milk containers to start your dahlias if you make plenty of holes for drainage.

Like I said, I'm in the "start them in pots camp"!

Thank you! Very helpful!!! It's very hard to find just straight up seeds that are sold. I found one source and they also have an Amazon store, Outside Pride. The reviews on Amazon are mixed. I'm going to start some of these seeds indoors with my AeroGarden (it's a consumer grade hydroponics kit that has a seed starting (soil based) attachment) to see how it works out. Some of the videos I've watched on YT seem to correlate well with what you're saying about seeds--blooming first etc.

I just really like Dahlias...and I'd like them MORE than zinnias if I could get them to grow throughout the summer. I'm not so much concerned about the flower type, just as long as they're tall, and good for cutting. Since, all I can find are Pompon seeds, that's what I'll be doing, unless I harvest my own seeds too.

When you say 'single set' petals, I could get those genes in my seeds, even if I don't have any single set dahlia flowers, right?

Thanks again for your thoughtful response.

Here are mine! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X6CDTGP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yup, leaf miners. Left untreated, they’ll go after nearly every leaf. May not harm your dahlias too badly, but it sure is unsightly. I just sprayed this on my dahlias this morning—Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VJBYMC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Kristine Albrecht just actually released a book on breeding dahlias today. Might have a lot of helpful info you're looking for!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FSDKWNV/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=breeding+dahlias&qid=1597350576&sr=8-2