Mary - somehow I didn't realize you were that far behind us. My peonies have been over and done with for a while, and even most of the asiatic lilies are about done (but those are the ones that I pre started early), still waiting on most of the orientals and a number of later asiatics. Having 70 or so new lilies this year has made waiting for the dahlias much more tolerable.

This is my first dahlia bloom of the season, not quite fully open, but who can ever wait for that to take a picture. I do have a lot more buds showing than I usually do at the end of June. THis year I decided not to top, any of the dahlias unless they were really spindly and showing no signs of emerging laterals, and that ended up being only 10 or so out of the 150 I have in this year. I will cut every first flower when it opens, and that will be my "topping"

Lucky Ducky

Last year I topped too much and ended up with huge plants. I like your method of topping, Geof.

Yup. No lilies until early mid July. Peonies are still going but will be over by mid to late July. Poor dahlias. They should take off at a run soon. I fertilized and did everything I could to help them along. Of course growing in the middle of aggressive chick week hasn't helped. Well, maybe it does as the chickweed keeps moisture in the ground. I pull it up by the handful. I need to preen early and then preen again after planting the dahlias out.

Only Preen if the dahlias are at least 2" tall. (per Preen)

I think that is what caused some of my plants to be damaged. They were not mature enough. Well, lesson learned. Read the instructions.... thanks

I'm still waiting for a few more to grow another inch but may end up covering them with a nursery pot or just risking it. I can't take the sight of weeds. If I could, I wouldn't have been out weeding today (and sweating) for 2.5 hours with more to go.

Some dahlias that I bought from Geof (mandolls) are blooming. They are beautiful! Can't wait for others to bloom. Thank you, Geof!

Candlelight




Kelgai Ann

Beautiful. Geof stores his dahlias so well and they were all so happy to grow here. Thank you from me, too, Mandolls.

So glad they are doing well for both of you!!.

I lost way more tubers to rot during the start up process than I ever have before, mostly new tubers from trades, but a few of my own too. My method of using baggies works great inside, but the two weeks or so that they were out on my porch hardening off we got a lot of rain - and even with holes in them the baggies don't drain well enough.

I still managed to plant out close to 150. However - I have a ravaging groundhog in my yard this year. He has chomped 10-12 of my dahlias. I have set a trap, but have only caught bunnies so far. Very frustrating!

I have lots of buds, but only a few have bloomed for me so far, and mostly small ones.
Arabian Nights


Juul's Allstar

When we did have rains here as the dahlias were hardening off outside, I had them under the umbrella on the table. I didn't lose any but two were very reluctant to show any sign of growth. One got a trip to the dump while the other remained sitting atop the potting bench and yesterday I spotted two very tiny signs of growth! Hurray! I may have them for Thanksgiving flower arrangements!

My plants are finally taking off, well many of them. Not all. And I see buds so I am hoping they will stay on schedule and later this month will see flowers. Oh, I do have one bloom, small and rather illshaped - can't remember the name though. The plant is small also but I think I moved it after having planted it for a week or two. I am giving clematis' another try and needed that spot by the trellis. 80 degree weather and sun every few days has set everything going nuts - flowers and vegies.

I have a couple more blooms from the dahlias - still smallish ones, but they are coming along.
Honka

Irish Miss

Kelgai Anne (pic is a bit washed out)

It's always good to see dahlias blooming again!

Soon it will be staking time.

Well, I finally got myself out to take a few pictures. Here is Salmon Cactus, my first



Fubuki Red and White should go next. Had to show my beautiful double lavender poppy.

Great dahlia and lovely poppy, Mary!

Beautiful dahlias, Geof and Mary. I love your double purple poppy, Mary! That is gorgeous! Did you grow that from seeds or plants? If plants, can you share where you purchased it? It looks just like a purple peony.

Karen, just send me a treemail with your address and I will send seed, which is how I grow mine. I cast them in the fall and they are unfailing in coming up. I have marked two poppies with orange tags to be sure to take extra care with them in saving seeds.

Nice to hear from you pirl and Mary. I have been posting pics over on the "other" site (where I am Nanny23). I still haven't figured out how to upload to this site from my phone. But I will...someday, lol. I have Kelvin Floodlight, Otto's Thrill,Thomas Edison, Duet,Seattle, and Kagone Fubuki, all in various stages of blooming. We have had so much torrential rain that the blooms are looking a bit ragged. And when you add the Japanese Beetles into the mix the poor Dahlias are having a hard time maintaining that fresh "just bloomed" look. I'll keep working on the uploading thing.

KF & Otto's Thrill


Duet


Kagone Fubuki

You did it! Hurray!

Wonderful photos!

Dan tells me about the unbelievable rains he's had and I've seen your posts as well. Let's hope all the dahlias survive and thrive.