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Post by Cat on Feb 1, 2015 18:36:19 GMT
I have been reading about needing to support dahlias (can't remember this bit from childhood!) If canes what size do folks recommend? If netting do you need strong or simply large squares? Also do you make the net taught? I will probably cane this year but not sure what length. Say plant grows to approx 1metre will I need 1.2 metre cane or less/more? Thanks all  |
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Post by Raymond on Feb 1, 2015 19:48:38 GMT
Hi Cat caning was my biggest failure . Now know what to do. Go for 4 feet canes try and get good straight stout one's. 3 canes per plant some people use 4. If a vigorous grower then 4 might be good the back cane at an angle and the front two more vertical, twine around them. You want like an inverted cone shape. Go on youtube and look at Dave gillams videos excellent . I was going to try the mesh but will cane this year . @markymate uses that to great success . It is stock fencing. Has to be tight and well supported by stakes. |
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Post by Cat on Feb 1, 2015 22:23:01 GMT
Thanks @raymond I thought my thinking was right but I feel a lot better to have it confirmed. I will definitely go on you tube tomorrow. Off now to decide if I am going to use weed control or not lol. Probably will but don't want to scare OH with it looking "commercial" gently gently and all that! Especially as not growing for competition... Yet lol (doesn't seem to want to tag @raymond sorry  ) |
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Post by Raymond on Feb 1, 2015 23:18:22 GMT
I was going to use mypex or another weed retardent fabric but decided not to. Will mulch with either spent mushroom compost, peat or composted bark. Need to research more.
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cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68 
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Post by cici on Feb 2, 2015 3:15:03 GMT
I love mulching with mushroom manure, as it breaks down by fall and is worked into the soil when I dig in fall. No weed seed, fairly cheap and conditions the soil well. I run my irrigation lines under it.
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Post by Raymond on Feb 2, 2015 8:52:26 GMT
cici same product just we call it spent mushroom compost here. That's what I was thinking would condition the beds as well and using soaker hoses. Just Waiting on my soil test result first as I don't want to add it if soil already alkaline Ph. In my front bed at back I have a very old camelia so will need to use something else with that. Cat use the tag icon it works then. I changed my username a while ago So maybe that's why.
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Post by Cat on Feb 2, 2015 11:44:37 GMT
Tag icon? Help!
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Post by Tel on Feb 2, 2015 11:53:18 GMT
I wonder if its because you did not use the capital R in his name Cat |
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Post by Tel on Feb 2, 2015 11:55:45 GMT
Hi @raymond Did not work for me either used a capital R it reverted back to a small r Yet Cat worked fine doing Cat |
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Post by Moonlight on Feb 2, 2015 12:04:01 GMT
Hi @raymond Did not work for me either used a capital R it reverted back to a small r Yet Cat worked fine doing Cat
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Post by Tel on Feb 2, 2015 12:16:23 GMT
Thanks moonlight |
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Post by Cat on Feb 2, 2015 15:32:46 GMT
Hi @raymond Did not work for me either used a capital R it reverted back to a small r Yet Cat worked fine doing Cat
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Post by Raymond on Feb 2, 2015 18:26:47 GMT
Ah ha !
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Post by ste b on Feb 2, 2015 20:56:26 GMT
I was going to use mypex or another weed retardent fabric but decided not to. Will mulch with either spent mushroom compost, peat or composted bark. Need to research more. Raymond my main reason for using mypex is to cut out weeding not got time Woking all day and it does help retain water, watch out for composted bark it's very dry and if we have hot summer? It's a breeding ground for red spider mite , a mate of mine got a infestation through composted bark, a friend of mine doesn't use any mulch waters every night has not got one weed on his plot, and grows superb dahlias and has done for 60 yrs. |
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Post by ste b on Feb 2, 2015 21:22:51 GMT
I have been reading about needing to support dahlias (can't remember this bit from childhood!) If canes what size do folks recommend? If netting do you need strong or simply large squares? Also do you make the net taught? I will probably cane this year but not sure what length. Say plant grows to approx 1metre will I need 1.2 metre cane or less/more? Thanks all Hi Cat if your not growing meny plants canes are ok, about netting cryanth netting is best if you can get it , I got some pea netting last season 1m wide 500 m long cost about 44 pounds will last me years. I got 12 years out of my last pea nets . |
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