Jenny, don't despair

cut 'em back and continue the TLC.

Last year we used Dahlias in ornamental gardens at the foot of Mt Washington
NH, and despite waiting until June 15 to set them, they still suffered a few
frost perils. All we did was cut back the damaged leaves and stems.

Truly, unless the roots are frozen, at this time of year it is simply a
set-back, not the killzone.

The plants that don't look damaged aren't damaged.

Don't start the compost pile yet!

Sue
Western Maine



"Jenny" wrote in message
...
For the past fives weeks I've been raising 6 flats worth of dahlias,
half from seed, half from last year's roots which I've saved and the
rest new ones I bought this year. I've been taking them out onto my deck
in the morning and bringing them in every night. Sad to report, a major
family crisis flared up yesterday right before dinnertime and the
dahlias got forgotten outside. Naturally, we had our first frost in
weeks.

Now three quarters of the dahlias of both types have limp leaves.

My question is this: is there any hope for the frosted plants or do they
go into the compost? And what about the ones that don't seem to show
obvious damage. Are they goners too?

I'm way more bummed out than I like to be. I've put SO much energy into
these plants and they were huge and gorgeous until this morning.