Well deserved!

We just had 48 hours of rain! Luckily I have been keeping on top of tieing up the dahlias, but even so there were 10-15 flowers that snapped mid stem due to all of the water weight. When they recover a bit I think they will be happy about all of the water, since its we have had a dry spell lately.

I walked around the dahlia beds this morning counting - and I still have about 30 plants yet to bloom. Its exciting that there are still so many (mostly) new ones to see.

I have been waiting for this one.

Summer Rain

What a perfect name - 'Summer Rain' blooming so beautifully after you got summer rain!

Finally here is my lineup. Some repeats
In order Bumble Rumble, Croydon Masterpiece, Diva, Dr. John Kaiser, Gay Princess






Order: Ice Berg, Kagone Fabuki, Karma Maartin Zwan, Keith H, Nonette






Order: Salmon Cactus, Sisa, Steve Meggos, Sweet Dreams, Todd H.






Dahlia Patches:

Fantastic!

Some how I traded away all of my viable Dr. JK's this year. The ones I kept didn't make it. I really miss it, its been a favorite for years. The Keith H is really sweet. I have a tuber planted but it didn't grow - (8" tall) & that Steve Meggos looks like a beauty!

I have loved Dr. J for several years. If I end up with some good tubers I would be happy to share. Send me a tree mail as a reminder. I think I also have at least Keith H's. Same offer if you want.

Thanks all. I think I have a few left like Ice Berg that is stillllll opening. Almost as big as Kelvin Floodlight. KF is magnificent. I cut one every few days and take it to ABG for the tourists to oh and ah over. lol

Thank you Mary. Its possible it will still show up in my beds, since a few of the un-bloomed dahlias are missing their tags. But come digging time if I still don't have it, I'll give you a buzz.

WOW, Mary! Your Dahlia beds are incredible! Look at those flowers. What do you use to stake them? They are so upright, but I don't see any staking. You are just an awesome gardener!

Oh Karen. That is so nice of you to day. I have not staked any of my dahlias this year. They seem really strong. I can only assume it is the very warm summer for us. We have had days in the 80's (extremely unusual) and lots of sun. The only downside is that I cannot picture it happening again. The plants are producing myriad blooms. Even Kelvin Floodlight has three huge blooms on a short 24" plant. Looks kind of silly. But were it taller I suspect it would topple with the size of the flowers.

Alaskan summer get long long days of sun. While I am "northern" compared to most of the US, I have a shady yard with only 6-7 hours of direct sun. Several of my plants are 7ft, and most over 5 ft., with poms and a few shorter plants in the 3 ft range.

I have to stake pretty much everything.

A few of mine have reached 3', none taller. It's strange to see them flowering with a 5' stake in place. Many are still 2' - one with a tree as a support.


Look at all the stakes (on the left in this photo) just waiting for the dahlias to get tall! They are all tied, twice, so maybe they're waiting for September weather as I am.

Hey! Guess who dropped in? Holly! It was so great to meet her in person and her husband. We walked through my garden and I was able to give her some seeds that she might like. I work at ABG tomorrow at 9 and will meet them there for a tour. I am so happy. Never thought I would ever be able to meet a fellow ATP or DG gardener in person.

Hey! Guess who dropped in? Holly! It was so great to meet her in person and her husband. We walked through my garden and I was able to give her some seeds that she might like. I work at ABG tomorrow at 9 and will meet them there for a tour. I am so happy. Never thought I would ever be able to meet a fellow ATP or DG gardener in person.

I don't know Holly, but its cool that you met and ATP friend face to face.

Here a a few pics of my very tall dahlias and a few new blooms. Most of my stakes are 7ft (close to 6ft sticking out of the ground). In the 3rd pic the arch is 7 ft. The AC Rose Bud and Skiply Bonanza on the far left are about 8ft. tall





AC Ben


Wyn's Cinabar


Verone's Sandra J. - a little wonky on this bloom, but its going to be nice.


I've posted these two before, but these are the best blooms so far
Dana Iris


NTAC Patricia

Love the photos, Geof!

Geof, how do you stake your dahlias? They look so neat and sturdy. Do you use rings? I don't see any but the dahlias look tall and straight. Here are some of mine blooming today: Except for Hollyhill Starburst, the first four are tubers from Geof. Thank you so much for offering these earlier this spring. I love the varieties that you sent me. All of them are blooming except for Cafe Au Lait. It is having a lot of buds but none are mature enough to open at this time.

Lucca Johanna & Hollyhill Starburst


HH6in1


Kelgai Ann


Snoho Storm


Thomas Edison


Sky Angel

Geof. I love them all and can hardly believe the height. I think Dana Iris is my favorite as the color is rather unusual.

Karen, I think Sky Angel is my favorite of yours.

Holly and her husband stopped by the ABG today and we walked through the gardens (despite her poor back). It was great to visit. They are on their way to the two parks (National and State). The weather is gorgeous so they should have some spectacular views of all mountains particularly McKinley (Denali).

Thanks Mary - yes Dana Iris is a beautiful deep red.

Karen, Your flowers are looking good ! I got a Thomas Edison this year, but it didn't grow for me - its such a nice deep purple.

As for staking - I just use the bamboo poles that you see, but I am pretty obsessive about tieing them. I use 1/2" strips of jersey material, the main stalks get tied 2-3 places and every sizable lateral gets tied as needed. This year I was walking past the fabric section at Wallmart and spotted a pale green jersey on sale for $1 a yard so I bought 10 yards. I have used 3 yards of it already, I should have bought more. Some of the biggest plants probably have 10-15 ties on them.

As fall thunderstorms start coming though, I often have some problems. The plants are really heavy when they get this big, and if the soil gets soaked and big winds come through, I can have plants topple over.

I'd rather have more sun and shorter plants, but you have to work with what you've got.

So you associate less sun with taller plants?? I thought mine were taller this year due to having more clear days and warmer weather. I have one I don't particularly care for that is over five feet which is about as tall as mine get. It stands 'head and shoulders' over all the other dahlias by about 10".

I, too, was curious about Geof's comment but it delighted me since we've had abundant sunshine and heat, sufficient water, and my dahlias are not tall.