Dahlia "Bishop's Children" in pots

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by AnniD, May 14, 2025.

  1. AnniD

    AnniD Super Gardener

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    I have grown the above dahlias from seed and they are growing nicely.
    Last time I grew them I put them in the ground, but this time I thought I might try some in pots. I have pots around 12 inches in diameter and thought perhaps 3 or 4 plants in each one, as they are a comparatively small variety.
    Too many, or can I fit a few more in ?
    Any thoughts welcome :smile:.
     
  2. Pete8

    Pete8 Total Gardener

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    I think 3-4 would be ok.

    They do increase in size year on year.
    I sowed this one about 5-6 years ago and it's now a substantial plant about 4ft tall and wide-
    upload_2025-5-14_16-31-12.jpeg

    Some of the colours can be a bit drab, so I replace them.
     

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  3. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

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    Hi,

    They grow to 2-3ft high and about 2ft wide so we would only put one in a 12" pot.

    Would also choose a pot or tub with even width sides rather than a narrowing taper to the bottom as that type can be easily blown over when you have a tall plant in them.

    You can put two or more in such a pot but they will just compete with each other and only give a reasonable display for a short while, while just one should flower until the autumn frost.

    Try both methods and see which is best ...?
     
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    • AnniD

      AnniD Super Gardener

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      Thanks @Pete8 and @ricky101.
      I might well try both methods, one in each pot .
      Could be interesting :smile:.
       
    • Busy-Lizzie

      Busy-Lizzie Total Gardener

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      I would put one in a pot too. I grew mine in the ground and the tubers got quite big. I left some in the ground and they survived the winter.
       
    • JennyJB

      JennyJB Total Gardener

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      No more than one per pot, and be prepared to move them on to bigger pots if you keep them for further years. I grew some from seed some years ago and some of them got to be taller than me (I'm 5'2" or thereabouts). I dug one up because it was really too tall for the spot and the tuber was enormous, over a foot across and nearly as deep.
       
    • AnniD

      AnniD Super Gardener

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    • Pete8

      Pete8 Total Gardener

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      I've been growing them for years.
      The size and colour can be very variable.
      Year 1 I've had them get to between about 1ft and 2ft
      By year 4 they're about 4-5ft

      Most colours are vibrant and tropical but some will just be a creamy white.
      Most are single flowered but some doubles appear too.
       
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