Dahlia alternative...?

I don't know if ours are much different. The ones on my order are called, "Unwin Dwarf " and look to be all sorts of brilliant colours. The catalogue is from the Halifax Seed company.

A foot apart. I'll mKe note of that. Thank you!

 

Oh heck no - I won't be planting them any time before then! Mid to late March was what I was thinking.
Thanks for tip re potting on. May try that too, for the ones I'll be putting in a flower bed, but most of mine will be in pots so I can move them around to where I want them if I need to.

 

@DMM @CanadianLori et al

Bit surprised that we have never taken any photos of the Dahlias over the past few years.

Might be interesting to take some this year and compare notes of all our efforts and see who has the most success.

 

Great idea ...... let's do it!!

 

Just ordered some of those little Bambino Dahlia seeds from Mr. Fothergills along with most of our other new year seeds.
Still not found a good alternative to the Dahlias, but ordered some of these Zinnias.
Not a plant we have ever grown but seem very closely related to the Dahlias.
Be interesting to see if they look as good as the picture ...?

 

My Bambino & Figaro seeds arrived yesterday. All ready for March.
Those Zinnia look lovely - hopefully you'll remember to let us know how you get on with them later in the year.

 

I grow Zinnias every year and love then, both the tall and short varieties. I do a mix of starting seeds off under cover and direct sowing some a month later.

They are prone to powdery mildew, so allow room for air circulation and grow in full sunshine.

 

Further to earlier posts on here .......
I'm guessing it's OK to plant my dahlia seeds now? I've got the seed compost and everything ready to go but I'm not sure whether I'm still a little early or .......???
[ say YES someone..... .... I can't wait to get going ....... ]

 

I might be too early but I started mine over a week ago. So far, only a few seedlings but I have my fingers crossed. This is my first time trying to sprout them.

 

My first time from seed too Lori. If you've done yours then I'm doing mine too ....... lol.
Have had tubers in the past for full sized dahlias which were a little too large for my space so this year have bought seeds for some compact/dwarf varieties. Excited to see what transpires! Good luck with yours too

 

I think it's about right sowing dahlia seed now.
Might be a good idea to prick them out into pots soon after germination that way they get their own space and can make lots of roots that won't get damaged at planting out time.

 

Yes, @DMM I had one of those big dahlias from a tuber and lovely as the saucer sized flower was, it took up too much space for my liking too.

 

Yes, that is why I like using soil blocks. One seed in each and if it germinates, great, if not, I can try again without disturbing any other seedlings.

 

Exactly! Beautiful flowers just too large a plant in it's entirety - for the space I have

 

great ...... thanks Pete ...
I know what I'm doing today then ...