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Dahlia height issue

Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 326
in Plants
Hi,

My dahlia has started to begin flowing but is only 40cm high (picture attached). The tag that came with it says the height is 1.2m. I followed advice online about pinching the first growth, watering regularly, feeding low nitrogen feed etc. How do you get these towering dahlias you see online? Thanks 

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    What is the type of the dahlia?  They like full sun - loads - and feed - maybe tom feed every few weeks. They are thirsty too. You could consider pinching out the current buds so that the plant can put its energy into roots and height.
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 326
    Fire said:
    What is the type of the dahlia?  They like full sun - loads - and feed - maybe tom feed every few weeks. They are thirsty too. You could consider pinching out the current buds so that the plant can put its energy into roots and height.
    Thanks. I bought three so not sure which is which as they were all different but pretty sure it’s Thomas Edison (the other two American Dawn and Spartacus). Yeh maybe it’s a sun issues. Get a good amount of Sun but not full. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,889
    Give it time ... it's early for dahlias to be blooming as yet and most will still be growing and blooming in September/October.

     :) 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,237
    Thomas Edison is purple, not orange so it's not that one. I wonder if you were given the wrong tuber?
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 326
    Yeh checked the receipt and those three I mentioned are definitely correct. Maybe American Dawn if not definitely the wrong tuber 😂 As soon as it opens I will post a picture. 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 13,714
    Not American Dawn, that is pinky/purple.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Well, it's very pretty and is bound to grow taller, even if not as much as you expected!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,115
    Like any plant, it can take a year or two until they're mature enough to reach full size. 
    If the tubers were small, I wouldn't expect them to be the full size quickly. 
    If the plants are mis named, which seems likely as none of the varieties you name are orange, then you have no way of knowing what size they'll be. Some are quite small even at full size. There's a big variation in height with dahlias.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 326
    Fairygirl said:
    Like any plant, it can take a year or two until they're mature enough to reach full size. 
    If the tubers were small, I wouldn't expect them to be the full size quickly. 
    If the plants are mis named, which seems likely as none of the varieties you name are orange, then you have no way of knowing what size they'll be. Some are quite small even at full size. There's a big variation in height with dahlias.  :)
    Ah ok never thought about size/maturity of tubers - thanks! 
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 326
    punkdoc said:
    Not American Dawn, that is  pinky/purple.
    It’s opened today - attached picture. Any ideas? Thanks
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