Dahlias for cutflowers. Sizes of them

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by guyloup, Oct 13, 2019.

  1. guyloup

    guyloup Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello,

    I am passionate about dahlia for cut flowers. I am living in Belgium and I am 70 years old. Another passion is old tomato varieties.

    I am looking to add a few dahlias to my collection but I have a though time to find out what the size fork is for each dahlia flowers. I am looking for a size fork between 12.5 and 15 cm. This is 5 to 6 Inches.

    Who could help me with the following varieties?

    After dusk
    Apricot desire
    Arc de Triomphe
    Bracken Ballerina
    Carolina waegemans
    Cream alva's
    David Howard
    Geerlings cupido
    Geerlings moonlight
    José Maria
    Karma chok
    Lindsay
    Sweet Love
    Orange garden
    Madelon
    Scaur Swinton
     
  2. Perki

    Perki Total Gardener

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    I only grow David howard out of all of these , I am not sure what you mean though with size of fork ? do you mean flower size ?
     
  3. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

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  4. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

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    @guyloup @ricky101 I think fork size refers to stem length from the flower to the first fork in the stem.
    I grow both David Howard and Karma Choc both of which have flowers about 10cms in diameter.
    Length of stem to first fork depends on cultivation.
    The National Dahlia Society say "If a dahlia plant is left to its own devices, each flowering stem will terminate in a flowering bud, with generally two smaller buds alongside it. The two side buds, or wing buds should be pinched out as soon as practical. This will encourage the terminal bud to grow larger and develop a longer stem thus lifting the opening flower well above the foliage. The two side shoots below the terminal bud should also be removed to encourage the growth of the terminal flower and of the stem. If bigger and better blooms are required for show, then more side shoots lower down the stem can be removed. In the case of giants, all the side shoots can be removed, perhaps leaving the lowest to survive to produce a replacement flower later on in the season."
    I don't grow for cutting, but what I find is that the first stems are longer and first flowers are bigger.
    As ricky mentioned specialist web sites have a lot of information on them that may help
     
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    • guyloup

      guyloup Apprentice Gardener

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      I am sorry about the confusion on the word "fork". My Mother tong is french. What I meant was the diameter of the flowers.
       
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        Last edited: Oct 14, 2019
      • guyloup

        guyloup Apprentice Gardener

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        Yes
         
      • guyloup

        guyloup Apprentice Gardener

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        to Ricky101


        Thank you for the hint. I have been to multiple sites before posting my question. The problem is that most sites, Hall of Heddon give a very broad estimate, e. g. 100 to 150 cm or 150 to 210 cm. while I am looking for flowers with a diameter from roughly 12.5 to 15 cm
         
      • ricky101

        ricky101 Total Gardener

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        Hi,

        Seems all the uk specialists just have size bands over a 50mm range.

        Wanting something within a 25mm range I wonder if thats possible ?
        Would have thought the growing method used , eg dis-budding, feeding etc, would affect their actual size ?

        Are you looking to grow them to Show standards ?

        Hopefully someone with experience in that area will see this post and be able to offer some advice.

        Do you have any local flower shows/competitions where you can chat with other Dahlia growers ?





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      • guyloup

        guyloup Apprentice Gardener

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        No, I do grow them for my wife. She loves to have vases with Dahlia flowers around the house. Of course precise dimensions of flowers are difficult because they vary on the same plant. She just think that 10 cm is small and around 17 + mm too large. :)

        I know the "categories" that you are mentioning. So I am looking for "small " "Médium sizes" or large "small sizes"...........LOL.
         
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        • CarolineL

          CarolineL Total Gardener

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          Hi @guyloup I have just been and measured David Howard. The flowers are between 10 and 12 cm across ie diameter. I think they were a little bigger earlier in the season. But definitely good cut flower size.
           
        • guyloup

          guyloup Apprentice Gardener

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          Thank you, Caroline. Normal for flowers, to be a bit smaller at the end of the season. Definitively one to try. :)
           
        • CarolineL

          CarolineL Total Gardener

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          It's the only dahlia I grow! Fantastic flowers, decent dark foliage.
           
        • Ezzie

          Ezzie Gardener

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          @guyloup - this is my favourite dahlia reference site and I think you will enjoy it too, if not the monetary outlay which might result!

          Www.dahlie.net

          It’s language friendly and you can sort by type, colour, height and bloom size. I’ve randomly checked some of the dahlias on your list and many are listed on this website.
           
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