stoppin dahlias

[robh]

can u explain what you mean when you say you grow your plants8/10 up i know what you mean by stoppin your plants i know that it can be a bit confuseing to novice growers or those novices that fancy a go at showing

[Tel]

Its when you grow a plant with a limited number blooms on one plant. ie 6 up gives you 6 blooms. The idea is to grow the bloom so the dahlia ring will just go over the bloom without it touching any of the petals.

Rule of thumb, Giants 3 to 4 up, Large I grow 4 up, Medium I grow 6 up, Small 6 to 8 depending on variety, Miniatures 10 to 18 depending on the variety.
When I buy a new variety, 9 times out of 10 I do not know how many up it should be grown. ie Marston George Miniature Dec, so I asked for advice on the forum, I received the answer, on here.

[Moonlight]

Nov 3, 2013 13:40:41 GMT Tel said:

Its when you grow a plant with a limited number blooms on one plant. ie 6 up gives you 6 blooms. The idea is to grow the bloom so the dahlia ring will just go over the bloom without it touching any of the petals.

Rule of thumb, Giants 3 to 4 up, Large I grow 4 up, Medium I grow 6 up, Small 6 to 8 depending on variety, Miniatures 10 to 18 depending on the variety.
When I buy a new variety, 9 times out of 10 I do not know how many up it should be grown. ie Marston George Miniature Dec, so I asked for advice on the forum, I received the answer, on here.

I think that this (as in next year) is probably going to be the only time I am going to grow giants or large dahlias. Reading that I could potentially have 3 flowers on 1 plant must be so tricky to know when to do what to get it timed right for a show. I have a new respect for people that grow giants. It just goes to show how lucky I have been timing wise with mine this year. Chasing perfection in any sized class will always be a challenge but the thought of having 3 stunning giants one day and the next find that something has nibbled them or the weather damaged them overnight, just before a show - would be soul destroying.

I am going to have a go at growing a Sir Alf next time because my family want me to, as they are so massive but I think that is going to have to be it. I fell in love with Kenora Valentine which did very well in the shows but I can see now that it really would be too difficult for me with my small dahlia patch and no covers. I think if I want a deep red next year I am going to have to stick with my Weston Pirate. Small but perfectly formed except when they go over size and get disqualified.