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Writer's pictureEric Anderson

Life of the Dahlia- Chapter 1, January

Updated: Feb 3, 2023

Dahlia News from Eric January 2023


Happy New Year to all you dahlia nuts! It’s time again to prepare for the first chapter in the “life of the Dahlia”, the search for dahlia tubers on your wish lists. I’m sure many of you have already purchased your tubers from the commercial growers as soon as you get word their website has opened. Demand for dahlias over the last couple of years has gone crazy with many varieties selling out early. So, you’d better get busy and shop, network and buy, sell or trade!


The American Dahlia Society (ADS) website can also be a resource for tuber purchase ideas. In prior years the ADS mailed out dahlias show reports, trial garden results, Cream of the Crop and the Fab 50 for top winners, top new introductions and popular dahlia varieties. The show reports highlight potential best in show winners that I may want to purchase. The name of the winner is listed, and you can then contact the grower using the Federation of Northwest Dahlia Growers Show Book or classification book. If you like to exhibit these resources can help identify potential future show winners.


Here is a great link, http://dahliaaddict.com , that allows you to search the dahlia alphabetically. Once you click on the dahlia name the dahlia this link lists the growers who carry the tubers! Use our KCDS web site for other links. Other supplier sources can be found using this link, Suppliers – Colorado Dahlia Society and in the Puget Sound Dahlia Association annual publication Dahlias of Today and the American Dahlia Association January Bulletin.


This month’s meeting will feature a presentation on the new 2023 dahlia introductions. President Paul Kusche will review each flower and provide a printed list with descriptions and grower contact information. New introductions can be pricey. Taking cutting from a tuber can make the price more tolerable and create two or more plants. Although you can take cuttings from a tuber look for growers who sell pot tubers. These mini plants send up lots of new shoots for lots of cutting.


Late January or early February is a great time to perform a quality check your dahlia tubers. This is a must. Look at each bag, box or container of stored tubers a check for excess moisture and tuber root. Early detection and removal of rotten tubers will prevent further loss of stock. If you’ve lost a few of your favorite dahlias checking now will give you time to order new tubers.


It’s always good to have a good layout plan for your garden, especially when growing height is important. I have a flowerbed that I can grow dahlia plants that grow over 5 feet in the back row, 3 ½ to 4 feet in the middle row, and 2 to 3 feet in the front row. Most commercial growers will include plant height, but if not available then a call. Your plan should include a pathway entrance(s) and water source. A good plan will allow you to determine how many tubers you can plant, while allowing for proper spacing, and determine if you need to order more!!


I’ve given everyone lots of options to help you complete your wish lists.

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