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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jun 15, 2011 20:17:19 GMT
Thanks Tel, I think information nearer the time would be best for me too. I'll post a photo tomorrow of how they are looking now (it is a bit dark now). They look like sturdy plants to me. It is a shame your plants won't have flowers in time for your show this year Cherry, next year it is going to be a breeze  isn't that right Tel? |
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Post by Tel on Jun 16, 2011 4:23:45 GMT
Thanks Tel, I think information nearer the time would be best for me too. I'll post a photo tomorrow of how they are looking now (it is a bit dark now). They look like sturdy plants to me. It is a shame your plants won't have flowers in time for your show this year Cherry, next year it is going to be a breeze isn't that right Tel?[/color] Of course, footballers do not want a red card, but we would do our very best to receive one. ;D |
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Post by Cherry on Jun 27, 2011 18:43:22 GMT
I have got a flower, but I think this one will be over for the show. I just disbudded some. I don't know what I am doing. It is too complicated for me.
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Post by Cherry on Jun 27, 2011 18:57:07 GMT
I don't know now if I should have taken the side buds out. Are dahlias annuals or biennials if I did a mixed vase?
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Post by Tel on Jun 27, 2011 19:23:07 GMT
I don't know now if I should have taken the side buds out. Are dahlias annuals or biennials if I did a mixed vase? I would class them has a perennial. |
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Post by Cherry on Jun 27, 2011 19:36:17 GMT
That is inconvenient. A perennial vase of 4 must not contain any listed in this category and dahlias are listed. Oh well, next year still.
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Post by Tel on Jun 27, 2011 19:37:33 GMT
I have got a flower, but I think this one will be over for the show. I just disbudded some. I don't know what I am doing. It is too complicated for me. I find it difficult to time it right if i have a small number of plants. Last year i timed a Winholme Diane small decorative central bud from a pea size bud to a fully developed bloom and it took it 34 days, another year depending on the warmth of the weather it can either make it bloom earlier or if it is a cool summer it could bloom later. No matter how experienced the exhibitors are, we all have to hope the weather is favourable for the grower to have blooms for a show. |
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Post by scrumpy on Jun 27, 2011 19:53:18 GMT
I have got a flower, but I think this one will be over for the show. I just disbudded some. I don't know what I am doing. It is too complicated for me. bit later on i'll show this in more detail but here is a typical stem with buds on  1 is the main bud 2 is a wing bud 3 is the best wing bud 4 is a side shoot All of the above will produce a flower, at different times. Number 1 will be the best flower, and at this time of year from today it will be in bloom in about 21 days. So if you have a flower show in 21 days time then remove buds 2, 3 , and the side shoots 4 and let it grow. If not then you remove bud number 1 and are left with the 2 wing buds. Number 3 is the wing bud to grow, as it has a pair of leaves under the bud. Now this will flower in about 28 days, so if you have a show in 28 days time then let this one grow. If you don't have a show, then this bud is removed leaving side shoot number 4 to grow on...which is what i'll be doing. Side shoots appear in all the leaves and the idea is to wait for these side shoots to produce buds, and when one of them gets to the stage of wing bud number 2 , you'll know that in 28 days time it'll be ready, so grow that one. It's not an exact science as different varieties grow quicker than others, weather can make a difference, but eventually you can look at your plant and predict the ones that'll be ready. The idea when first starting out is to keep records. So if you grow on a wing bud, tie a label round it, mark the date and see when it flowers. Same with the main bud, same with the laterals lower down. You then get your average for each variety. In all cases, after choosing the bud to grow, the more side shoots you remove from the stem, the stronger the bloom. This isn't alwayss necessary, it depends on the variety. Hope that's a bit clearer. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jun 27, 2011 20:36:43 GMT
OMG, there is so much to growing show dahlias. I'm not sure if I should just panic or just run away and pretend it wasn't me that was trying to enter the dahlia class.  |
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Post by Lou78W on Jun 27, 2011 20:54:50 GMT
Don't worry WF....Tel will keep you on the straight and narrow  ;D |
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Post by scrumpy on Jun 27, 2011 21:00:40 GMT
OMG, there is so much to growing show dahlias. I'm not sure if I should just panic or just run away and pretend it wasn't me that was trying to enter the dahlia class. don't panic, it's a doddle really  |
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Post by Tel on Jun 28, 2011 4:44:40 GMT
OMG, there is so much to growing show dahlias. I'm not sure if I should just panic or just run away and pretend it wasn't me that was trying to enter the dahlia class. If that was me i would just panic, only because i am to old for that running lark. ;D |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jun 28, 2011 5:44:08 GMT
In my complete naivety I thought my plants were just going to grow flowers. Nothing in life is ever that simple ;D
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Post by Tel on Jun 28, 2011 6:35:29 GMT
In my complete naivety I thought my plants were just going to grow flowers. Nothing in life is ever that simple ;D We need to start seeing small buds on your plants in a couple of weeks WF. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jun 28, 2011 10:44:31 GMT
These are my plants  and this is my first flower bud.  |
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isn't that right Tel?
;D
