Sunday, July 12, 2009

My Very First Dahlia

I ventured into a new world with my first purchase of dahlia tubers this spring. Since I first planted those tubers (indoors first, then outdoors in June), I have discovered that dahlia growers are a peculiar kind of gardener. I know several that are passionate about their dahlias. Their care for their favourite flower is nearly obsessive, so that no one dare harm their dear babies. They have a philosophy far from my "grow the tough perennials and toss the rest" approach to plants.

Here is the cactus dahlia"Tahiti Sunrise". Looking at the photo, I see that a spider has made this flower its home.

I'll be cutting off the dead flowers, hoping for more blooms!

3 comments:

Philosophical Karen said...

Hahaha, I'm with you. Babying plants is not something I'm willing to do. If it's not tough enough to grow in my garden without help, too bad.

Clayton said...

That is a very nice Dahlia. I don't grow them because I don't like digging the roots up and storing them but they are beautiful.

Clayton

Anonymous said...

I love dalias. Anyone have success digging up the tubers and keeping them over winter and successfully growing them the next summer. Mine were kept in basement and died.