"Jenny" wrote in message
...
Okay, I admit planted these dahlias in an area that turned out to have
less
sun than I thought it would have. But I've got roses blooming nearby
getting
the same amount of sun, so they aren't exactly in the dark.

The dahlias, growing from bare bulbs which I bought at Wal-mart this
spring,
are about six inches high and have lots of healthy looking leaves, but
have
no hint of a flower. When I visited the local show garden I realized just
how pathetic they are.

So are they a dead loss? Will planting them in a sunnier spot make a
difference next year or is the problem perhaps the soil which I did not
amend very much before I planted them? My bearded irises didn't flower,
but
my daffodils and Brodiaea did just fine in the same soil.

All suggestions for what to do next year are greatly appreciated. I want
dahlia blooms!


I have some small dahlias, "Figero mix" in a bed that lines my driveway.
There is a distance difference in the growth rate between the ones in direct
sun and the ones that get shade from my maple tree. They have just begun to
flower heavily this week. I also have some cactus flowering dahlias that
are over six feet tall and growing. They are planted in an area that gets
partial sun and are doing quite well. I would keep them evenly most and
apply some fertilizer. I use 12-12-12 on mine but a water soluble
fertilizer like Miracle Grow would be fine also. The temperatures have just
started to be in the 80s consistently here. The annuals have really started
to grow. Only two varieties of cannas are blooming so far. Your plants may
quickly take off as it warms up.