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Regarding Dahlia Tubers...

xNxN Posts: 9
in Problem solving

Hello, I'm new to gardening so I'm not sure about if this would be okay or if they'd need more space...

I bought these (1tuber) http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/dahlia-downham-royal/classid.2000017759/ 

& http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/dahlia-caf-au-lait/classid.2000015160/

Now regarding the Cafe au lait, I did buy it, however, on the see through bag they put it in it says 'Coupe de Soleil' which would be this one then http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/dahlia-coupe-de-soleil/classid.2000022869/ 

So I'm not sure if they sent me the wrong one or if they simply placed it in the wrong bag image 

 

Anyway, on to my question. Would it be okay to plant two different Dahlia in one pot? And if yes, how big should the pot be? If not, would a 12 inch pot be okay for each tuber? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Posts

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    You could but I wouldn't. Dahlias are gross feeders they love lots of food, so a 12 inch pot can only really cope with one plant at a time. Dahlias will put on more and more tubers each year and putting both in one pot means they'll intertwine so you won't know which is which. It may make for an interesting display but I'd keep em separate.

  • BiljeBilje Posts: 740
    Naturally it depends on the size you expect the dahlia to grow to. If the estimated height is say 90 cm then it would be one tuber in say a 45cm wide pot. I ran out of room to plant all of my dahlias in the ground so grew two in large WOW they were massive and grew really well but took an awful lot of watering.

    If plants are smaller varieties then you could grow two in a pot, just remember they are thirsty greedy plants.

    If you think a wrong variety has been sent by Crocus give them a ring they are helpful.
  • xNxN Posts: 9

    Thank you to you both for taking time out of your day to help me image I've potted them in separate pots now that I know that they're greedy (I didn't know that).

    I was thinking of planting the Downham Royal in my front garden (it gets full sun) once I've sorted out the ground area. When is the best time to do that? And what stage of growth is the best time for the Dahlia? Thank you ~

  • LynLyn Posts: 21,892

    Pot on and plant out mid to end of May when you're sure you won't have a frost.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • xNxN Posts: 9

    Thank you! ~

  • BiljeBilje Posts: 740
    I leave mine in pots until they are a few inches tall, then the slugs aren't so keen. Plant them so the top of the tuber will be about 4 inches 20 cm below the top of the soil or compost, deeper is OK, then the stems get some support. You may need to use canes to support the stems if they are tall and in a windy place.

    No need to feed them until they are actually growing...a balanced liquid fertiliser until July time then swap to a tomato based fertiliser after that to help build up flowers and the tuber.

    Dead head the flowers to keep them flowering..just look what we've done jumped from April to August , that's what gardening does.

    Careful dahlias become addictive!
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,892

    20cm is 8 inches Bilje image .

    dead heading is the secret, don't let them seed.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BiljeBilje Posts: 740
    Oops you can tell how old I am Lyn haha. I'm currently suffering cabin fever here in the NE stuck doors because of the weather, my brains addled.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,051

    Bilje, I empathise. 

    I'm in glorious , warm, sunny Devon but I had surgery on my knee on Monday and I'm stuck indoors on crutches.

    Soooooooooooooooooo much to do.image

    Devon.
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