February - now your plants will be in full swing, and you will need
to keep on removing the spent flower heads on a daily basis. Don't just
take off the flower, but go down to the next leaf joint where the two
laterals can be seen. Snip off just above this point, and those laterals
will then proceed to give you new flowers.
It is quite a good practice to remove one of these laterals at this stage,
as this will keep up the quality of the flowers produced. If you leave both
these laterals to grow on, your bushes will gradually get larger and larger,
but the flowers won't.
Continue to disbud where required, and keep up your watering and spraying
regime. Water in the cool of the evening, and give a good soaking once or twice
a week. This is better than a quick watering every day which achieves very
little.
Dahlia Shows will be staged from late January, February and
into March, and even if you have never exhibited before,there are
usually plenty of classes that cater for home gardeners and novice
growers that you can enter into. The exhibiting side of Dahlia growing
can be a very interesting time.
Look under Show photos for results of last year's shows, and 2008 as they come to hand.
It is also a good time to go to these shows where possible, and make a note of the different varieties
you would like to obtain the next season. Dahlia clubs can usually provide you with the information
on where to get stock of most of those flowers on show, and are only too happy to help. Most clubs have
books, magazines and possibly videos which members can borrow, so do think about joining 7a club.
Members also swap tubers each year, and the clubs hold Tuber Sale days
which provide a cheap source of new stock. Dates for shows, club meetings,
addresses etc. will all be found under Club Information.
