General Dahlia Chat 2023

blown_dry · 2023-02-04T23:41:17+00:00

Continuing from https://cubits.org/Dahlias/thread/view/91587/?offset=560#end_of_thread

AndreaB

Made my first trip to the nurseries today and there were lots of dahlias to choose from.

Bessie

AndreaB I too used the saran wrap method which was highlighted on the ADS website. Thanks for mentioning "the tighter the better", I'll pay attention to that. I used the recommendation from YouTube channel "Moorfield Farm Flowers", and he said after dividing the tubers, to let the tubers dry at room temperature until they no longer feel cool when touched by the back of your hand. I had the tubers laid out in a single layer on newspaper in my house. They were typically dry in 12-36 hours. That test of dryness really worked. Another thing I did was observe the wrapped tubers, for a few days, for any condensation developing, before putting them in final storage. I rewrapped one variety that developed condensation as the room cooled down. I liberally used cinnamon on any cut surface of the tubers.

AndreaB

Bessie I do the same, Bessie. Once split, they spend a night or two inside the house before wrapping begins. For each batch, I use several storage tub lids (used as trays) and lay the tubers in a single layer. I trim at least 75% of the ends (to keep the tuber size more manageable) and just let them callous over (without any cinnamon), although I do love the scent ☺️

Teddahlia

Wrapping tubers; Over the years we have identified varieties that make tubers that are invincible and seldom if ever rot no matter how you store them. Wrapping them in plastic would be a waste of time. Examples, Cornel and Chilson's Pride, Mingus Toni are difficult to kill in storage. There are lots of these easy keeping varieties. Wrapping tubers is appropriate for tubers that may rot. The easiest storing tubers are stored about 10 tubers to a plastic t shirt bag with no storage medium at all , no vermiculite no nothing.

MissyWeitzel

I started hardening off about half of my cuttings for a couple hours in shade today. Miss Millie opted to go straight for full sun.

Krista

MissyWeitzel I can’t blame Millie for a second, I could use a warm, sunny nap right about now too! I’m hoping to get organized and start hardening off some plants this weekend. I have a few more cuttings to take (and ship!) before some varieties go outside though!

Teddahlia

Yesterday, I fell and hit my head on the wheeled cart I was pushing. Margaret heard my cry for help( anybody within a mile would have heard me). We visited the emergency room at Kaiser and met a very nice doctor who is a gardener too, but just a beginner. Margaret gave him some gardening tips as he used his sewing skills to place eleven stitches into my scalp above my forehead. I am OK but lost some energy as one always feels foolish when something like this occurs. I took most of today off and let Margaret do her thing out in the greenhouse. I did take some cuttings of some dahlias as that is light duty work.

Krista

Teddahlia Oh this is very scary, I’m glad to hear you’re recovering ok, that you’re giving yourself a break and resting up. Sending lots of well wishes, Ted!

JessieC

Teddahlia Oh my! I am sorry to hear you had a fall, and glad that you got to the doctor quickly. Rest well, and take care. 💙

KitCMC

Teddahlia I’m so sorry, Ted. I hope you’re feeling better and resting well. I love that miniature!

calico20hill

Ted! Oh man, that is a bummer! Sure glad you were not home alone when this happened! You are entitled to take it easy for the rest of the day...(but probably not tomorrow (just kidding).

AndreaB

I second that… glad Margaret was nearby. Hope your recovery is speedy…
you have some planting to do!

Teddahlia

Too wet to till.
I was going to plant the tubers of this one today. Note it is a miniature and I like that.

MissyWeitzel

Teddahlia your miniature cactus reminded me of a moment this past fall when I was clerking at the midwest conference dahlia show. We came upon my Nicole C entry (M C OR) and it was the only 4303 and I think also the only mini cactus in general entered and the judges thought it had such terrible form they gave it a 2nd so it wouldn't move on even though it was the only one. Thankfully I'm a good natured exhibitor and I thought it was hilarious listening to them rip on my entry without knowing it was mine. 😅

SteveM

Teddahlia I was going to plant the tubers of this one today. Note it is a miniature and I like that.

Really nice, looks like a show winner!

Teddahlia

I think that when you get 11 stitches, the next day you may not feel real well. Today I feel much better and completed a long list of Margaret's "I want you to do this and then I want you to do that!"
Another one I was going to plant today but too wet. .

calico20hill

I'm glad you feel able to be up and working today! We are certainly getting a downpour now so its probably still going to be too wet tomorrow....I like this red one.

Juliarugula

Glad you’re feeling better! Also glad it was only stitches - head trauma is scary stuff! I hope you mend up quickly.

Teddahlia

Nicole C.: I believe the C stands for Canning and it was introduced in 1989. Dick Canning was a long time breeder and according to one source, Nicole C was a seedling of Alpen Snowflake by Bill McLaren(Steve's father). His most famous one was Kathy's Choice a small yellow cactus. Mike Canning was his son and he died of the flu(go see the doctor when you feel really bad) a few years go. That line of miniatures was "taken over" by Mike Riordan of our club and Scott's Snowcap that has been winning big time is most likely related to Nicole C. We used Kathy's Choice as a seed parent and got one really nice seedling called Hollyhill Geisha and it won best miniature at a National show. However, it is a poor tuber maker and we lost it long ago. Kristine Albrecht showed it and I believe used it for breeding. All of this falderall is because breeding miniature cactus dahlias has proven to be difficult for most breeders. We have found that the late Peter Greenway 's miniatures(Josudi) have quite a bit of vigor and good form. HH Maisie and HH Ambiance were seedlings of yet another British miniature cactus. I like miniature cactus flowers but Margaret generally says "Bleh.

This is a typical min cactus seedling.

Teddahlia

Not much being posted lately. Our dahlia club meeting was Tuesday night and our member Noni did not attend. However, her Salish Twilight Girl variety sold twice at the auction(tubers then pot tubers) for a good price. I bid on about 6 things and it always got too expensive so I got one tuber of a giant I have never heard of. One of the club members felt sorry for me (probably not true but I can say it) and gave me a rooted cutting. My credit card would not work to pay for parking and a club member I do not know insisted on using her card for the $3.00. I had an extra cutting Of HH Serenity and found her at the meeting and gave it to her. We are all busy planting and I may continue this thread later.

calico20hill

Teddahlia Yes, I kind of ran out of steam on Tuesday. Also, I know I have no more room for tubers this year. I already plan to start some in grow bags but don't know the count on those. I would have gone just to socialize if I had not been so tired! I hope to see all the next time around.

Teddahlia

MissyWeitzel

I figured everyone was busy planting too! I've only planted my micro collarette and pompon tubers so far because those are being planted apart from everthing else this year. No cuttings are in yet, we have a possibility for frost mid to late next week. 🥶

Today I finished amending my dahlia beds and laid out my drip irrigation and hooked it up to test it. Only 2 holes I need to fix - not bad for reusing the tape from last season and essentially throwing it in my vegetable garden uncovered over winter because I was lazy.

If I get to spend Mother's Day doing whatever I want, it will be planting more tubers!

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