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First time Dahlia grower!

lovegardening77lovegardening77 Posts: 332
in Plants
Ive still got my dahlia plants (grown from tubers) on a windowsill. Should I start to harden them off yet? I'm away on holiday next week so wondering how to keep them alive while I'm away. Many thanks!
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Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,415
    Can anyone help @lovegardening77 ?
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,053
    Methinks, ask a friend / neighbour to look after them, or put them outside, sheltered from the heat of the sun and make sure they're well watered before you go.
    Devon.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,301
    I'd agree with Hosta - if the pots are clay, you could also bury them in the ground which would help keep the compost moist.
    But well-watered in a shady and sheltered part of the garden should see them through.
    Enjoy your hols!
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • lovegardening77lovegardening77 Posts: 332
    Thankyou for your replies. I do have a cold frame but I wasn't sure if they should be outside yet. At the moment the cold frame is south facing, should I move it to sheltered part of garden and put them in there? Also how much is "well watered?"
  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,550
    I think as you’re in Berkshire and the lovely weather we are having they will be totally fine outside. Maybe put somewhere shaded or if you think they will get lots of sun have you a kids paddling pool or such like you can leave them sitting in, ie couple of inches not swimming 😂
  • HortusHortus Posts: 43

    My dahlia's are in my cold frame and are thriving. I am in neighbouring Surrey so I think you should be fine.

    If you are concerned about the cold just makes sure you close the lid on your cold frame each nigh if possible.

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,053
    Hortus said:


    If you are concerned about the cold just makes sure you close the lid on your cold frame each nigh if possible.

    might be a wee bit tricky as @lovegardening77 is going on holiday.
     ;) 
    Devon.
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 740
    I live in the NE and I've actually started planting dahlias in the ground. 
    If you leave them in the pots the best advice I can give following that given by other posters is please don't leave them on trays of water or where rain could collect in trays /saucers. Tubers rot very easily when in wet compost. If they are a little droopy when you get back from holiday they'll soon perk up after a soaking. 
  • lovegardening77lovegardening77 Posts: 332
    Ok, thankyou everyone. I can't believe how much I'm stressing over them!! Haven't even thought about the actual holiday or clothes I need to pack.😄
  • tessagardenbarmytessagardenbarmy Posts: 346
    I have bought plastic bell cloches which I pop over my pots. They are outside on sunny patio sitting in a polystyrene fish box at the moment in case we have a late frost. I live in York x Same with tomato plants already in grow bags as get too big for little plastic growing frame I have. Worked well last year.
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