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Post by Raymond on Sept 11, 2014 12:06:24 GMT
Question on growing in pots.
I can ask what size pot anyone would recommend for growing in for the full season. I have some in 18inch pots. Is that big enough ?
I want to increase my numbers with a view to possibly showing in novice class mext year and I can fit about 20 large pots on my bottom patio. This would supplement the borders.
Also do dahlias have any preference on material eg terracotta, stone, plastic etc.... ?
Many thanks
Raymond
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Post by scrumpy on Sept 11, 2014 12:21:23 GMT
I have grown good quality dahlias in 30 litre polypots. You need a decent compost.You need to water daily, fertilise weekly. When you grow your plants, reduce the number of laterals.
So if you would normally grow 8 up, reduce to 6.
I've grown good sized giants by growing 2 up.
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Post by markb on Sept 11, 2014 12:26:08 GMT
I think 18in pots would be okay, Raymond. Not sure what size mine are but they hold 35 litres of compost/soil.
I've used terracotta and plastic and both have advantages and disadvantages. My plants never seemed to mind, just that watering needs to be different as terracotta 'breaths' (compost dries out quicker) whereas plastic doesn't.
Another advantage of terracotta, as you want to put them on a patio, is that the extra weight will help stop the plants blowing over. Dahlias are very top heavy when in bloom and can easily topple over if their pots are too light.
I would also suggest using a soil-based compost (John Innes Number 3) and add some balanced, controlled-release fertiliser (such as Osmocote Exact Standard) to the planting mix otherwise you will have to feed more frequently.
Hope this helps, all the best
Mark
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Post by scrumpy on Sept 11, 2014 14:08:46 GMT
The advantage of lighterweight pots is that if heavy rain is due, they are much easier to move into the frontroom, bathroom, kitchen, to keep nice and dry  Regarding compost,as Mark says,needs a bit of soil in it. I'm a great believer in making your own potting compost, regenerating old compost. What I do is get 100L bales of peat...westland do one, buy some sterilised garden soil,horticultural sand, vermiculite, and vitax Q4 or BTD fertiliser, and nutrimate. All you need is a wheelbarrow, weighing scales, and off you go. Make up your own mixes. Just vary the quantities. |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 11, 2014 14:31:29 GMT
Many thanks scrumpy markb . I am writing all this down. Terragotta looks great but expensive I think I will go the plastic route and put some stones and grit in the bottom for ballast and drainage. I have starting putting coffee filters from poundshop in the bottoms to prevent the grit and soil falling out. Would you also suggest putting a layer of grit or mulche on top for water retention and weed control ? My normal pots are fine but definitely finding dahlias very thirsty plants. Last thing do you put any water crystals or gel. The bottom part of my garden has large overhanging trees from next door it gets good light but not great rain exposure. I will need to watch for spider mites as well because of this and spray much more religiously. Many thanks Raymond |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 11, 2014 14:46:55 GMT
I have grown good quality dahlias in 30 litre polypots. You need a decent compost.You need to water daily, fertilise weekly. When you grow your plants, reduce the number of laterals. So if you would normally grow 8 up, reduce to 6. I've grown good sized giants by growing 2 up. Still getting to grips with all the growing 6up etc...  I will get there eventually. Or your potting mix do have have a set ratio of peat to soil ? Or would you mix peat with say John nines no 3 ? I like using John innes no 3 holds the water better and has more substancw. I use it mainly or clematis and agapanthus. All my bedding dahlias in pots have standard multi purpose and finding them not doing great because they dry out to quick. Just dug up sir Alf which was spider mite ravaged . I think it amazing that a modest tubor throws these giant hollow stems 5 foot tall. |
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Post by markb on Sept 11, 2014 16:05:39 GMT
Many thanks scrumpy markb . I am writing all this down. Terragotta looks great but expensive I think I will go the plastic route and put some stones and grit in the bottom for ballast and drainage. I have starting putting coffee filters from poundshop in the bottoms to prevent the grit and soil falling out. Would you also suggest putting a layer of grit or mulche on top for water retention and weed control ? My normal pots are fine but definitely finding dahlias very thirsty plants. Last thing do you put any water crystals or gel. The bottom part of my garden has large overhanging trees from next door it gets good light but not great rain exposure. I will need to watch for spider mites as well because of this and spray much more religiously. Many thanks Raymond A mulch would not hurt, Raymond. I mulch with well-rotted stable manure which as well as keeping moisture in also provides a little nutrient to the soil life, but anything that holds moisture in the growing medium will do. I've never used water retaining crystals/gel but if you're in a dry area then adding them would not hurt. I think Dave Gillam added some to his soil in one of his videos. The only reason I've never used them is that I either grow in John Innes 3 which doesn't dry out as quickly or coco-fibre (hydroponic grade) which has no nutrient at all and gets fed and watered daily (twice or even three times in really hot weather) so water retaining products were not necessary. Your first season will be a steep learning curve (I know mine was) but stay focussed on your goal, Kent Novice Championship, and you should be ok. Take plenty of notes of everything you do and grow, be honest and if something hasn't worked say so in the notes so you don't repeat the mistake. I still do this as every season is different. Mark |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 11, 2014 17:26:05 GMT
It's has been a very steep learning curve markb and to be honest daunting but very rewarding. Will make my own potting mix next year based on John nines no 3 but with added peat and vermiculite etc.... I will research it more thoroughly. I think I also have underwatered. Lost a couple early on due to tubor rot from over watering not in the pots when I started but once planted out, so over compensated. it's finding the balance. I normally always water by hand but might invest in a basic irrigation system for the main border as it would free up some time for other jobs. I also need to use better feed so it will be either osmocote or vitax ( one by you the other by scrumpy) at the start then the tomorite or whichever is recommended watched Dave gillam on youtube excellent videos. Just bought a bound note book so I can write up everything journal style. Starting to go through the old threads. Some great tips on earwigs and ants etc... With Ian and daithe battling it out. Very good All the very best mate. Cheers Raymond |
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Post by MarkE on Sept 14, 2014 10:55:30 GMT
Hi everyone! I've asked before about how many field tubers to keep for how many plants etc? I was wondering if I was to buy tubers from say halls of heddon how many I would need for say 10 plants of any particular variety? Trying to find ways of keeping costs down! Thankyou
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Post by scrumpy on Sept 14, 2014 11:09:26 GMT
Two of your own field tubers should be more than enough for 10 plants.
I have never had much success with tubers bought from suppliers.
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Post by Raymond on Sept 14, 2014 11:56:29 GMT
scrumpy MarkE sorry to join in . Do you suggest if buying from suppliers sticking to rooted cuttings or mini plants ? As I have to start from scratch next year I was going to get a mixture of both tubors and cuttings. Was going to get tubors from jrg and cuttings from Euro dahlia, halls, pheasant acre and ryecroft. Also some at members sale in May but you don't know what they will have. So will need to order majority. I will be investing in a heated propogator. Can I ask if you can recommend a basic efficient irrigation system that I can attach to a large water butt. I have definitely not given mine enough water. Hope your still smiling scrumpy.
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Post by Raymond on Sept 14, 2014 12:29:29 GMT
There is a tubor sale in Kent in November and Dave Spencer giving talk on new varieties. Definitely will be going with wallet !
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Post by markb on Sept 14, 2014 12:38:21 GMT
Hi everyone! I've asked before about how many field tubers to keep for how many plants etc? I was wondering if I was to buy tubers from say halls of heddon how many I would need for say 10 plants of any particular variety? Trying to find ways of keeping costs down! Thankyou Buying tubers is an expensive way of getting your stock. The tubers supplied by halls, jrg and others are only small pot tubers (grown in 4in pots) and from my experience can only be expected to throw about three good cuttings per tuber. So, to get 10 cuttings you would need at least 3 tubers and some luck on the amount of shoots they throw. As scrumpy says field tubers will throw far more than this, and it may be possible to get all 10 cuttings from one tuber, so two field tubers would be plenty. |
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Post by markb on Sept 14, 2014 12:40:30 GMT
There is a tubor sale in Kent in November and Dave Spencer giving talk on new varieties. Definitely will be going with wallet ! That'll be a great place to get good stock, Raymond, especially if the tubers are from the top exhibitors who are members, as they will have (or should have) a rigorous selection policy and won't keep any poor stock year on year. Start saving now, lol. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 13:51:24 GMT
scrumpy MarkE sorry to join in . Do you suggest if buying from suppliers sticking to rooted cuttings or mini plants ? As I have to start from scratch next year I was going to get a mixture of both tubors and cuttings. Was going to get tubors from jrg and cuttings from Euro dahlia, halls, pheasant acre and ryecroft. Also some at members sale in May but you don't know what they will have. So will need to order majority. I will be investing in a heated propogator. Can I ask if you can recommend a basic efficient irrigation system that I can attach to a large water butt. I have definitely not given mine enough water. Hope your still smiling scrumpy. Raymond, look at this link to get a great irrigation kit. I brought the 100 dipper kit and it works really well, good luck. www.easywatering.co.uk/acatalog/drip-irrigation-systems.html
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I will get there eventually. 
