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Post by ian on Jul 17, 2014 22:51:34 GMT
I find it very beneficial with;most varieties to strip out the bottom leaves maybe twice through the growing season once whilst selection laterals to numbers and 2-3 weeks later; I know some of you like a second flush but most second flushes in most cases are inferior blooms unless you have had very early blooms of the plants then cut the numbers down on the plant for the second flush. Most showmen do not rely on second flushes.;Although I do not grow to the ring you will get better size careful not to over feed as this is when the blooms become coarse in form (not good) Now before someone says the leaves are providing goodness well I find the bottom leaves have done their work some may have started to yellow and may be damaged, they do not get a lot of light and by stripping them out you are allowing air movement and less chance of mildew (you will have to spay at sometime for mildew, I am sure this topic will cause some thoughts from some growers.   |
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Post by sweetpea on Jul 17, 2014 22:59:45 GMT
I would only remove dead or yellowed lower leaves likewise with tomatos. If the dahlias are correctly spaced there shouldn't be much fear of mildew anyway.
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Post by ian on Jul 17, 2014 23:05:35 GMT
yes Sweetpea I hear what you say I am talking about offering advice to showmen who do not always give their Dahlias the space they should, in the garden no problem I would only remove yellowing and dead leaves. Thanks for that Sweetpea. |
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Post by scrumpy on Jul 17, 2014 23:10:04 GMT
Feeding depends on your soil. My soil is so light I can dig it with my fingers most of the year!! So I need to fertilise and water often.
As to the leaves, I've always done that. Said it on here many a time. Not only for air circulation but to help with any soil borne diseases that generally start at the bottom and work up.
Because I only grow 6 of each variety I leave laterals on a bit longer to give more of a chance to allow for weather fluctuations. I'm finding that a better way of timing is to wait until the first sign of colour in the bud, then time from there. Either leave it on or cut it off. So my final de-lateraling will be done 2 weeks before they flower.
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Post by ian on Jul 17, 2014 23:17:58 GMT
Scrumpy You are right in what you say about your soil & soil types. but I said be careful not to over feed as this will result in coarse blooms.
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Post by scrumpy on Jul 17, 2014 23:50:19 GMT
I think coarseness is also related to how you grow your plants. All my blooms come off a side bud, so though they tend to be a little smaller, they are better quality. Also, I don't disbud all the way down so I get 2nd, and 3rd flushes. Some varieties can actually be as good, if not better , than the first flush. Brenda T is a good example. These were 1st September  "2nd Flush 23rd september 
This one is 2nd flush of my moonlight sport, again, 23rd september  Just wish I could get it looking like that again |
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Post by ian on Jul 18, 2014 18:02:17 GMT
Yes Brenda T will be better on a side bud and may be on a second flush as it is a big petal and by taking a side bud you are taking the weight away and the petals become a little more refine. As to the moonlight for the 23rd September not a bad bloom Dahlia growing is not and will never be an exact science but if it works for you then stick to whatever you are doing, but never sit still always try something different. Of course coarseness of blooms is the way you grow your Dahlias. Over feeding will make the blooms coarse. Not only that you can store up problems in your soil. I would always go for more refined blooms.
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Post by steve2t on Jul 18, 2014 19:24:30 GMT
Yes I strip out the bottom leaves. Learnt this is better for my plants under the covers.(Due to less circulation) Did it in the wet 2012 season on scaur whisper, some plants looked nude! Some varieties do well on the way you grow while others certainly don't, Dikara Superb was total garbage for me last year, coarse and large petals. I guess in 20 yrs time I might work out why. I'm doing things now that I would not of done last year, due to a problem. I would not of thought that a few poxy flower plants could cause me any angst at all! never mind several sleep less nights.  |
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Post by ian on Jul 18, 2014 21:32:58 GMT
Well done Steve nice to see you are trying different things and I have sean the results on the bench so well done my little friend. All the very best for the season see you at the Greymare.Just finished stripping out and getting rough numbers. Then round the paths with roundup. Then spraying the plants ( with a different spray I may add) including a folia feed within this hehe. Are you on for Southport? Ian |
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Post by steve2t on Jul 19, 2014 18:55:06 GMT
Yes, up for Southport. I really enjoy this show. I only had 5 flowers out for the show last year, so only entered the 3 Min Dec class. My timing of the blooms was well out last year, it took an average of 30 days for a 10mm bud to mature to a bloom, so on that reckoning, I should have a few more blooms to choose from this year.
Then its NWDS then Grey Mare, just hope that I don't get the main flush a week after Southport!!!!! (If so maybe Midlands as well)
Been mindfull with the foliar feeding as I've done more than ever before. Mixed my own so I can keep phosphorous levels hopefully in check. (Don't reckon much to my testing kits accuracy, so just use it as a rough guide)
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