Relocation!

Long time no post!
 
My tubers started sprouting a week or two after planting, BUT they took a beating by the slugs! I lost my Miss Molly Dahlia but since the place I order from has a guarantee, I just shot them an email and they sent me a new tuber! Amazing customer service!
 
Slugs are nasty little creatures! I have been debating on putting out slug bait BUT I have a very curious doggy that loves to put his nose in things that he shouldn't put his nose in. So I have explored other options like eggshells or gravel.
Isn't that the cutest face ever???

I also had to relocate my planters as they were not getting enough sun. I moved them to the side of my house where there used to be very large rosebushes. They seem to be doing much better and are growing super fast! I now have very healthy large Dahlia plants that are starting to bud.

I do have one Dahlia that is blooming already! Its my Nancilee Dahlia and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! I cannot wait to cut it and bring it in the house!

They have arrived!

My tubers arrived safe and sound! They all looked wonderful and healthy. I was not able to plant them right away, we have been having beautiful sunny days, but cold, frozen nights. Not Dahlia friendly.

Fast forward a couple weeks.....

It is now time to plant! The weather is perfect and no freezing temperatures are in the forecast. My boxes are filled and ready. I am planting two in each box and arranging them by color.They are supposed to be planted 6 to 8 inches below the surface. I have been told not to water them right away as they may rot in the soil. It has been super hot and my soil is dry but it is supposed to rain in the next couple days.

So they are all planted and ready to grow. Now its just hurry up and wait!

Building Boxes

Wow its been a while! Our weather here in Western Washington has been terrible the last few weeks! From snow to rain to sunny and 70 degrees. We are now back to more rain!

I have FINALLY got my husband to sit down with me and discuss what we are going to build for me to grow my Dahlia's in. We settled on boxes 3 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. I can plant 2 in each box. Dahilas need plenty of space to grow and room for water to drain.Cedar was the wood of choice. The supplies were not terribly expensive either =)

So on to Lowe's we went!



 

We went to the lumber section and picked out some cedar planks, 2x4's and 1x2's

loaded up all of our loot and headed to checkout!

 

Our military discount helped with prices of course =)

 

Then home we went! We had lots of work ahead of us. We used the 2x4's in each corner to stabilize and put cedar planks on all four sides and the bottom.

 

 

 

 

BEAUTIFUL! Exactly what I had imagined! My husdand did such a great job. Now all that was left was to put on the "stakes" and move them to the yard.

 

TA-DA!!!!

 

 

Done! Next step fill em' up and plant those tubers! I still have not recieved them in the mail but they ship tomorrow.... TOMORROW!   It seems like its been ages since I ordered them. I am beyond excited! I am sure my husband is sick and tired of me talking about the shipment. But I just cannot help it! I already have a list of tubers to order for 2014.

 

There are some trees and shrubs that are shading some of my boxes so we will need to trim them back before planting, as Dahlias need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day in our area. I will update when my tubers get here! Happy Planting!

 



The Final 3

The last 3 Dahlias that I ordered were for a friend of mine for Christmas. Again as with my mothers she loves to garden and especially loves pink flowers. All 3 of them I would definitly grow myself. Hopefully she shares when fall comes 'round. =)


The first one is called "Cameo Peach"

Its an older model from 1974 growing 4 feet high with 7 inch blooms. This one will be fun to grow! A pink and yellow blend that gives it a peachy look. It is an exhibition style but also good for cutting.



Next up, China Doll

Introduced in 1994. It is considered a "dwarf" dahlia because the plant only grows to 18 inches BUT the blooms are 4 inches. A real beauty, with a yellow base and rose edged petal in a waterlily shape. This dahlia is an early bloomer.


The last introduction..... Raz Ma Taz

Talk about vibrant! Another that has a yellow base blending to a deep raspberry red. This is one that I wanted for myself but just don't have the room for it. A large producer of 2 1/2 inch blooms on a 3 1/2 foot bush, it is recommended as a cut flower and should do well in exhibition.


Well those are all of the Dahlias that I have ordered for myself, my family, and my friends. They ship mid April so I will be anxiously awaiting a large package in the mail! Next up I need to get my flower boxes going so I can tell you all about them! More to come! =)

A Super Happy Mother in law!

On Christmas day my Mother in law opened her gift, and immediately smiled! I knew I made the right choice! She mainly grows purple and pink flowers, so my color choices were limited to just that, but it did not bother me any. I love those colors as well. She has LOTS of room for Dahlias. Her front yard is loaded with BEAUTIFUL hydrangea's (my favorite plant) the blooms range from a light blue to a dark purple. I envy those hydrangeas every time I visit *sigh*...... The Dahlias will fit perfectly anywhere in her garden.


The first of the 3 is the Patches Dahlia

Patches grows 8 inch blooms... 8 INCH BLOOMS! Whoa! They are fuchsia/purple in color with white tips, they can be evenly tipped, randomly tipped or no white tips at all. Its an early bloomer on a 4 1/2 foot bush.  This is one of the only large bloomers that I ordered. Very excited to see it in person!



From big to small.... The Rebecca Lynn

 

 

2 1/2 inch blooms in a beautiful dark rose color on a 3 foot bush. This ball style dahlia is a super cut flower with it's long sturdy stems. It is a compact plant and will look great anywhere in my mother in law's garden! I am confident that this will be one of her favorites!

 

 

 

 

And finally.... Mystique

 



Introduced in 1994 the "Mystique" is a very original color, it is described as being a dusty rose color with "frosted" tips. The 4 1/2 foot bush produces 4 inch blooms on a sturdy stem for cutting. This one would do well in exhibition. Another that I may end up growing in my own garden down the road!



3 more left.........