Dahlia spacing

[smilingshoe]

Hello there

I'm in a bit of confusion about the spacing for the dahlias I have grown from seed.

There are 2 sorts the first came from a packet called Russian mixed XXL the packets all in russian , but a rough translation would seem to suggest that they say they grow to 1.3 m , with a flower size of 14cm, yet suggest a spacing of 30cm can that be right for such a tall plant ?

The second are mixed dwarf doubles say they grow to 35cm and suggest a spacing of 30cm yet in the picture on the packet they seem to have 4 different plants in a pot !!

Very confused, I've cosseted the seedlings and don't want to ruin it now by planting them out wrongly by giving them either too much or too little space.

I'm also about flustered by this pinching out business I have pinched out the tips of half of them but didn't know whether to do all of them and then not sure if further pinching out is required on the bits that grow in between the pre pinched out branches

sorry lots of questions, but would really like to get them out and in the ground as they look like they need to be potted on again

thanks so much for all your help, I find the support invaluable

[dave_norm_smith]

Hi

With plenty of food you would be able to grow 4 in a pot but they wouldn't have the same spread as in the ground. Plant your dwarf plants 35cm apart as said but the large ones I would plant 60- 80cm apart if you have the space. However it depends what effect you are going for and whether you want gaps in between. You'll get better plants next year from the tubers so think of this year as laying down the foundations. Keep on top of the dead heading and they will need support- canes will not be enough, I had to use 3 broom handles for the large ones with string.

P.s. Even if you don't get the spacing quite right, it wont ruin them. Pinch out the tip early on to encourage side shooting and then sit back and enjoy the show.

Dave

[chengjing]

I grow them every year. I must say I never pay too much attention about spacing. They will spread themselves out and fill the space up. More space then they will bulk up more, less space they will probably grow taller and slender. 30 cm should be ok for them. You want them all compact together rather than leaving gaps between plants.

Obviously you grow from seeds, so this is the first year for them form tuber. You probably don't need much bigger spacing anyway.

“Pinch out” will make them grow bushy but they will flower later. In general I pinch them out once when the shoots about 15 cm high for the ones grow from seeds. I sometimes pinch again for dwarf ones if I don’t think they are bushy enough. But there is no right or wrong answer more about personal preference. Most of them do bush out later if you don't do it for them. Just keep dead heading when they are in flower then they will send more shoots and more flowers. Hope this will help.

[smilingshoe]

Your stars your replies, right I feel empowered enough to go out there and start planting. Thank you so much .

[smilingshoe]

Oh cripes, I have been hardening them off for 2 weeks now, just gone outside and the earler sown ones have started going wilty in direct sun. These ones have been doing this for the whole 2 weeks, the pots are watered. Will they just get used to the bright sun ? do you think I should not plant these earlier sown out yet ?

I have been growing veg from seed for years, I can't tell you how excited I am about these dahlias and the surprise of what they might turn out like

[dave_norm_smith]

Hi

Most plants will sulk when planted out but Dahlias are pretty tough and once they get going they wont look back. Water without over doing it, after all, you want them to throw roots and find some themselves and they should pick up.

Dave

[chengjing]

They like sunny spots and should not be wilted unless they are too dry. Just check if it is dry inside pots maybe need repotting. I have planted mine out(that grown from seeds) as they will get more room to develop tubers. As long as there is no frost they will be ok outside.