At the risk of being bombarded with suggestions....

I'm looking at dahlias for a couple of patio pots this summer. Which ones should I go for to get a decent show of blooms? I've never tried them before but looking at them in Wilkinson's this afternoon I was tempted to get some. Anything I need to know?

 

Check out how big they get.... and go for the ones you like the look of!

 

Aaron, in containers use either bedding Dahlias or Pon pons.:thumb:

 

Aaron, I grew one tuber of Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff two years ago in a big blue glazed pot. I lifted and stored it last winter, replanted it in the Spring and it flowered even better last year. It's now waiting in the shed, dry and free of soil, so that when the tulips now in the pot finish, it can be replanted this year. I'll combined it again with Fuschia Thalia whose wonderful dark green leaves compliment the bronzey leaves of the dahlia and sparkling orangey red elongated trumpets which zing against the rich red of the Bishop's. Go for it!:yho:

 

How big a pot do they need?

 

Just for you Aaron, I've been out in the cold - lovely starry night here - to measure it. The pot's 50cm by 50cm but it doesn't need to be that big. I would imagine a 12" (30cm) pot would suffice for one tuber on its own. It's surprising how many blooms it will produce. Be prepared to stake it though as it grows quite tall.:flwsml:

 

Thanks for braving the cold in the name of research Chris! I have a couple of ones that will be suitable. Just got to find the dahlias to go in them now

 

I have an arabian night that I got from wilco's in a pot and did well for me to say it was the first time for dahlia for me

 

Is it true they're susceptible to certain pests?

 

I didn't have any problems at all with pests but my mums got attacked by green fly, I pinched out the shoots when I spotted the green fly (whome I belive love the new growth but don't quote me on that)and it didn't have any problems after that.

 

Great combination Boghopper,I grow the Bishop also Bishops Children grown from seed(t+m Ithink)lovely shades of apricot and pinks.Joyce

 

HELP! :halp:After the discussion on Dahlia tubers, I decided to go and check mine and, horror of horrors, they'd gone mouldy. I've cut away the worst of the soggy bits leaving a few measly pieces but I don't hold out much hope for them. They were in a dry shed but I can only think that the prolonged frost we had got to them, so...
CHECK YOURS NOW!:flag:

 

Chris, did you treat them with sulphur?:D

 

I've got to hang my head and own up Dave. I didn't treat them the year before and they were fine so I left them again this winter. Can only think it's the exceptional cold or I could have left some soil on.

 

Chris, we`ve all been caught out this winter. I think I may have lost my 10 year old, multi stem banana.:flag: