2011 planting zone

Well, this is where the dahlias will be planted out this year; bit of work to do methinks!  Apologies here and now for the rubbish video clip, I'm better at growing dahlias than filming!

The trees stay, so a planting plan to incorporate them is a pre-requisite.  I could plant in traditional commercial style beds, boring - yawn - yawn, or be creative and plant out in shaped beds.  As this will be the "showcase" my thoughts are moving towards the more creative which *could* be spectacular when viewed from the higher ground as there is a large enough gradient to provide a viewing point in the area beyond the fir tree 3 - 4 seconds into the clip.

However, any shaped beds have to work logistically as the blooms will be harvested through the season for the cut flower trade we do.

Next task is to cultivate ... must rush into it though .. delay and procrastinate as long as possible!

Pop back soon for project updates please!  (and leave comments!)

Additional cultivars for 2011 season

I have added a few more cultivars to the list for 2011, a mix of good exhibition and those for garden.  That's not to say the exhibition cultivars are not good in the garden, they are excellent!   It is more that garden dahlias are not good for exhibitions.
Cultivars that are good for exhibiting are those that conform to the criteria for the particular class in form, and size,  They should consistently produce blooms that are well presented on the stem, are good colour and, of course, as close to perfect in petal formation.

The additions:

• Debra Anne Craven - a red Giant Semi Cactus, i.e. blooms greater than 260mm
• Wootton Impact - an orange / cream blend Medium Cactus suitable for exhibiting
• Black Narcissus - an intense dark red medium semi cactus, great in a border complementing orange and red cultivars.
• David Howard - Min Dec, orange blooms on dark, almost black, foliage.  An old favourite, can't think why I haven't grown it before!
• Karma Naomi - a red Small Dec, like all Karma's a very good cut flower that lasts well in the vase.
• Ruskin Marigold - an orange Small Semi Cactus.  A very pretty little dahlia with good enough form to be an exhibitor.

All these can be seen on the web site www.withypitts-dahlias.co.uk follow the link under Latest News.

Starting off

2011 season has now really started.  My tubers are now set down in trays, lightly covered in a light, peat-like,  all purpose compost, watered and slugs "fed".

As you will notice the slugs have been "fed" with regular pellets.  A couple of years ago I did try organic slug treatments but they simply loved it and destroyed all the first growth shoots; never again.  As a matter of interest, I also tried organic rooting compounds; no good at all, it just did not work.  So, I'm back to Seradix / Strike, it does work.  Last year I spoke with one of the assistants at the local garden centre and commented about rooting compounds.  He told me they had largely withdrawn the organic as it didn't work but kept some on the shelves for those who really wanted to use it.

If you look closely you will see that the tubers in the right hand tray are already showing growth.  Pontiac, in my view, is one of the easiest dahlias to propagate, it always sprouts quickly, always roots easily and is very prolific.

I expect to start to take cuttings in three weeks time, some good sunny weather would be good as good daylight always helps stimulate the production of shoots and the rooting of the cuttings.
 

Field Mice

You know those bird feeders that have the suction pads to put on windows, we bought a couple when the snow came down to sustain the birds in the garden and fitted them to the kitchen windows.

The field mice have found them, the little scallywags.

Also watched the BBC Royal Institute lecture by Mark Miodownik "Size Matters"

You may be wondering what the connections is, and I don't blame you!

Well, creatures that walk up vertical surfaces or even ceilings, such as geckos, have feet pads covered in tiny hairs that grip into surface irregularities.  Do field mice have feet like that?  Otherwise, how do they get to my bird feeders that are situated 8 feet above the ground and centred in a window?  I am seriously impressed by them, although I guess the birds are not.

And, how do I stop them 'cos I am sure the birds would prefer to eat their food uncontaminated from mice pee.

Over-wintering tubers

I have just read some pretty bad advice on over-wintering dahlia tubers.  Basically suggested putting them in a box with dry compost (OK so far) and then putting them in the garden shed until you are ready to bring them on next spring, that's a really bad idea!

The garden shed (or garage) is a bad place to keep tubers over winter, unless it is heated, as sheds and garages are not frost free and especially so with the intense cold of the last few weeks.

Over-wintering dahlia tubers is the most difficult aspect of growing these fabulous flowers. Too cold and they rot, too hot and they shrivel and dry out; 4 – 8 C is ideal. They should also be inspected regularly and any damaged parts removed. Dusting with flowers of sulphur is a good plan.

Dahlias and stuff

 

Slideshow of some of my dahlias, I hope you enjoy them.  Click on the photo to start.

Dahlia jobs in January

Inspect all the tubers an remove any diseased portions.  Wipe of any mildew that may have formed on the stems. 
Dust again with flowers of sulphur and replace carefully in their winter quarters.
Work out the planting plan for your borders and flower beds.  If you are an amateur exhibitor, plan your show programme nice and early!   Also, if you exhibit large and giant bloomed dahlias start them off now as they generally take longer to mature and can sometimes produce "pipy" cuttings first time around that may be too thick to root well and there is then time to have a second lot of cuttings.

Dahlia jobs in December

Not much to do but do inspect the tubers removing any diseased or broken parts.  Dust with flowers of sulphur and cover the roots, not the stems, with dry soil or sand or peat or ashes.  Pot roots can now be cleaned and cut back.
Prepare the greenhouse in readiness for laying the tubers down to begin propagation.  As a commercial grower I start off in mid-January and advise anyone growing the 'giants' to do the same, they just seem to take longer to develop to mature plants for planting out

About me and Dahlias

I started growing Dahlias 50 years ago.  My childhood was spent growing up on a nursery that specialised in Dahlias, Chrysanthemums and Delphiniums.  I even had a small pom named after me in the mid-50's; I had found a sport on Little Beeswing that was grown on and named Master Richard, sadly now lost.  This was the Grove Nurseries, Kent,  and owned by Stuart Ogg - the "King of Dahlias" who was my godfather.  My grandfather, Edmund (always known as Ted) and father, Peter, worked on the nurseries as Nursery Manager and Office Manager respectively.  The Grove Nurseries were the first flower grower to win the coveted Brockenhurst Trophy Gold Cup at the Southport Flower Show in 1963; I helped stage that show and many others.  You could say that Dahlias are in the blood