jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Jan 12, 2018 10:11:33 GMT
Lovely to see you back on the forum, and back showing again . Glad to hear you're going to be showing at Harrogate, you'll love it, best show of the year in my opinion. Hope you and Rob are well, let me know if you need any plants. Probably meet at Letchworth shop at some stage. Thanks hopefully we will be ok as have ordered from Halls now We have got rid Of the pretty wedding flowers lol Just need to find ryecroft rebel now Yep hope to catch up soon, let us know if You are coming to the letchworth shop I could be wrong, but I thought I saw Sion at Eurodahlia does Ryecroft Rebel.....
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on May 16, 2017 6:09:13 GMT
Hi Jay65 , sorry I have no spare plants , only spare are for pot tubers , will ask my allotment friends when we are having a cup of tea and moaning about life in our sheds ! . No worries. I was shafted a bit earlier in the season with some rooted cuttings I ordered from someone, and didn't have a huge amount of success with my own cuttings this season. So am a bit short on numbers here and there. And not everyone gets back to me when they say they will. All their tea drinking in polytunnels makes them very busy people obviously, Lol. Would be willing to pay of course for anything, I wouldn't expect people to give away something for nothing. Thanks
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on May 13, 2017 9:05:16 GMT
If anyone is getting stuck for room and would like to offload any rooted Dahlia cuttings, then please let me know. I would consider any variety, as just trying to build up some stock as pot tubers. Giants and Poms especially welcome. Will reimburse for your time/trouble and shipping of course.
Thanks
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on May 13, 2017 9:02:35 GMT
Hi Guys/Gals,
If anyone is finding space becoming a problem, and have any spare left over cuttings of any varieties at all, I would be very interested. I would of course, reimburse for time/trouble and shipping etc. I'm just trying to build up some stock, so as I said, I would consider any variety you have spare and would like to clear out.
Thanks
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 29, 2016 9:34:57 GMT
The last thing I want to be doing is spending another £200 on tubers again next year. So that's why I want plants early, to build up stock and get enough tubers for next year in order to fulfil my obligation to supply my local church with flowers for as long in the season as I can. Cannot understand why anybody wants to question anybody else' motives for growing these beautiful plants. Very fair point jay65 but I hope that you don't think that anyone is criticising you, they are your dahlias after all. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinions and there is such a huge range of ability and wealth of experience here. In my own case I cannot truly comprehend the numbers of dahlias tubers, cuttings, plants etc. that you and other members here cultivate - even to the point of insecurity of my own ability to grow dahlias. I've re-read some of my earlier posts and there is a huge part of me that has not changed:
Dahlias
Dad tried to get Downham Royal for me last year but the wrong variety was sent. He is ordering more from else where. I have been tempted to order Downham Royal from Sarah Raven and I also tempted to buy Happy Halloween because I like the colour and the fact that it is supposed to be a newer variety. Problem is £4.50 a tuber plus I think it was £2.95 postage, I don't think I can justify the price but on the flip side is it more likely to be the real Downham Royal if it comes from there? I don't know. Realistically I don't need the tuber, I just want the plant and if Dad can give me one, that is all I need. I think buying a tuber is a big responsibility to grow right because of all its potential but then the flip side of that I don't actually know what I am talking about.......
....Dad told me last night that he has ordered a Weston Pirate for me, it is a tuber and it is going to be all mine because he does not want to grow it himself (could not even tempt him with a cutting). Very scary because I already know that it is a very good dahlia. (I've seen the photos and it has been recommended here ) I really hope that I don't kill it or Downham Royal because they are the two special ones.
I am also getting anxious (if I am really 100% honest) that more and more real dahlia, real dahlia experts are on the dahlia forum. I've gone from feeling excited that their sleeping beauty's are waking up and showing signs of life; to realising that I really don't know what I am doing. On the flip side of this, is the fact there is a Beginners thread to read (which obviously the whole point of having one) but I like reading about the tubers.
Still tiny steps, it is just it is a huge responsibility to nurture my dahlias (feels a bit weird saying 'my dahlias') but I must be brave, tiny steps, tiny, steps.
I cut and pasted these from my 1st Diary that I began when I 1st joined here - so you can see I've not been growing dahlias for very long and am certainly not the voice of experience. There are things here that people do that when I read them my perception is almost that it is barbaric, ramming a screwdriver down through the core of a tuber pouring boiling water over them etc. I'm a very big softy / wuss when it comes to things like that but also I am growing things on a far, far smaller scale than (what I perceive to be) most of the members that post here. I asked my Dad about when was the best time of the year to start your tubers off because I had read that quite a few people have started. Our US dahlias are not due for dispatch until beginning of March I understand now that it is a good idea to start off early because the tubers are fresher / less time in their dormant state and that the longer they are kept before starting them off, there is an increased risk of the tubers not growing. I also understand that if you don't have the right temp. requirements in greenhouse the higher the risk to the plant.
In addition to the travelling such a long distance the US tubers are split tubers 'with at least one viable eye' rather than the whole tuber that we would buy here. Bit more of a risk but seen some varieties that are not yet available and look good.
Roll on March I say! Can't wait! ;D PS Whenever I say 'I understand that...' it means that I think that I have understood something that someone else has tried to explain to me.
Like I said before I don't think that anyone here is criticising you but if you think that I have - then I am very sorry. I have been curious why you grow such a lot of dahlias and thank you for sharing about how they will needed for your Church displays. I hope that later on in the season that you will share some photos of them. Lots of people here post photos from their gardens and allotments - I know that other people would like to see the dahlia arrangements.
When I was little I remember always being proud as punch seeing my Dad's dahlias on the table with the harvest food collections.
There have indeed, been one or two (not you from my recollection) that have questioned why I'm growing so many so early, and even after explaining why I'm growing so many so early, there has still been the odd immature snipe. I do not have to justify myself time and time again, so I can only presume that these child like remarks are borne out of jealousy and/or concern. Or perhaps there are just a few people around that are the 'get off my grass' types and like to have opinions about other peoples lives. You are right, anyone can have an opinion, but not all of us air them with a hint of jealousy that appears to proliferate by a few Forum members.
I was warned by one particular well respected Dahlia Grower/shower who remarked to me one day to be careful within the Dahlia fraternity as there are some very small minded cliquey people around. And this is why I do not Exhibit, I have better things to do than listen to and get involved with that type of petty mentality. Unfortunately this feeling seems to be the preserve of mainly Men, who obviously have gaps in their lives to fill and/or who are eaten up with jealousy and envy, and think they can adopt a macho policy to cover up their own insecurities.
I came onto this forum to learn a bit, share my experiences and generally enjoy the Dahlia world. Unfortunately, there are some who want to adopt a bullish 'know it all' mentality who question motives and reasons for anybody else' Dahlia growing. That is not what I'm here for. It is no wonder that horticulture in general is often seen by children to be the preserve of miserable old men sat in their allotment sheds with other miserable old men with their thermos flasks moaning about life, and why it's so hard to get children into horticulture in the numbers we all need, to keep it going with any level of sustainability. Very sad, these people really don't understand what long term damage they may be doing to Horticulture, but of course, they're only in it for themselves and not concerned about what happens in 20/50/100 years and the legacy that we should all be thinking about leaving to our children and childrens children.
But I have more than enough to do both in my general life and my Dahlia growing to not need this forum. So in that case, to all you nice people out there without an attitude problem, I genuinely wish your season well and may you have as many beautiful blooms as you desire. To those who are not in that ilk, I have no opinions on.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 28, 2016 19:42:28 GMT
OK so I have had a productive day (can't post pics at Mo due to desk top computer being behind all stuff from building works) I have not only got the above into the greenhouse, mark then decided to get the membrane and gravel put in that is part of the next phase too. Now I can think about what shelving I want long term I then sorted through some of my tubers which are mostly looking good only lost Vivian Russell and Marston lilac. I have decided to work towards pot tubers only to store next year some of Che's babies are huge!!! That's great Cat. Nothing like a productive day to make us feel better eh?
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 28, 2016 19:35:04 GMT
The last thing I want to be doing is spending another £200 on tubers again next year. So that's why I want plants early, to build up stock and get enough tubers for next year in order to fulfil my obligation to supply my local church with flowers for as long in the season as I can.
Cannot understand why anybody wants to question anybody else' motives for growing these beautiful plants.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 28, 2016 14:00:56 GMT
A couple of Mother Plants of Avoca Amanda and Hillcrest Royal that are ready for the tips to be pinched out and re-rooted.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 27, 2016 14:02:42 GMT
I agree, lovely set up. Looks like it's going well at the moment, long may it continue for you JD.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 26, 2016 9:45:16 GMT
Yes Raymond, I do that too with varieties that I'm short of. For me personally, the success rates seems about the same to be honest. Can I just give an unashamed plug to Dave at Halls. I've had a few 'non runners' as far as tubers are concerned, so he is going to send me a few tubers that are already starting to shoot of a couple of varieties, and 3 mini plants of any 'non runners'. I know that may be their policy but I still think he's looking after me pretty well. So I'll have a few extra plants of the varieties that haven't shown any tuber life, which is a massive bonus to me. Thanks Dave! That happened to me last year Jay. All the tubers I ordered were non runners. Very disappointing. I have not ordered tubers from Halls this year. Their loss. Really? I must admit, that's pretty bad. I had about 13 tubers not shooting from Halls this year out of about 30 I bought. Doesn't sound good either I suppose, whereas every single tuber from Jack Gott is showing good signs of life. However, I have always had smashing service from Halls, they're always quick to reply to any emails from me, always polite and friendly, and always quick to put things right, so in that respect I can't ask for anything more. I would still be more than happy to deal with Halls in the future, but I can also respect your position too.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 26, 2016 8:09:24 GMT
Have you tried companion rooting jay65 my best cuttings last year done that way . 4 inch square pot about 5 cuttings a pot . Very good . Yes Raymond, I do that too with varieties that I'm short of. For me personally, the success rates seems about the same to be honest. Can I just give an unashamed plug to Dave at Halls. I've had a few 'non runners' as far as tubers are concerned, so he is going to send me a few tubers that he has already starting to shoot of a couple of varieties, and 3 mini plants for every tuber that is a 'non runner'. I know that may be their policy but I still think he's looking after me pretty well. So I'll have a few extra plants of the varieties that haven't shown any tuber life, which is a massive bonus to me. Thanks Dave!
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 25, 2016 20:04:39 GMT
jay65 do not be fooled into keeping spraying etc... Too much I did that last year and drowned my cuttings in water. I would personally keep the lids on for now with vents fully open. Or if off as Ian said with newspaper or even damp fleece. Phil godsmark of ryecroft dahlias has heated benching with fleece roll back screens for his cuttings. I saw his set up last year. His cuttings where superb. Nothing super fancy but very effective and efficient. I will let you know if I plan any trooper Dan. It could be useful for me as a compact grower and I don't have any large planned. Did not keep my Clearview Edie. Almost finished plan. Think numbers are much better than last year and I could be a threat in some bigger classes if I grow better than last year and timing is good plus stage a bit better ! Hahaha . Planning to cover some of my blooms even if only umbrellas . Would be the small decs some small cactus, mediums only. Don't worry Raymond, I don't get fooled easily normally. The way I look at it, is that the lids are useful for people who work full time, but maybe I am a control freak, because with the lids off, I am in control much better. With the lids on, I'm at the mercy of the amount of sunlight in the Polytunnels to what moisture content is in the air. The lids on scenario, tends to throw the vitopods into huge sways of moisture either way at each end of the spectrum. With the lids off I'm the one in control better. Even if it does mean I'm off up into the polytunnels every few hours!! Haha. Damn fine excuse! Seriously though, with the lids off, the compost in the cell trays is staying more stable and today things have picked up slightly. The compost moisture content is just perfect and stable too, as I said. And with green netting over the top, I neither get the compost getting and staying too wet or too dry as long as I spray now and again. In addition to that, I have ditched the 72 cell trays and gone to 24 cell trays, as the theory was similar to keeping an aquarium in that the bigger the aquarium, the more stable the water is, and prevents swings in chemistry. The bigger cell volume of the 24 cell trays may be helping a little too. The cuttings I took yesterday didn't look great this morning but as the day went on, they seemed to pick up a fair bit.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 25, 2016 7:52:35 GMT
jay65 I know some growers put some water in the base of the propagator to increase the humidity I was told to try this last year by Andrew a . It did help a bit. Not too much just a little and top it up when it evaporates I spoke to Jack gott about his cutting technique he removes the first cuttings thrown as normally thick and hollow just above the Tuber with a knife as we all do. The really interesting part was when he takes the cuttings he wants he pushes the cutting up with his thumb and it snaps off below a leaf joint. The wound is automatically sealed he said and is a Better cutting as with a blade the cutting can bleed. What do you think of this technique ian ? Have you tried it. I also could not believe how close he plants his plants together on his plot ! 9 inches apart for show size blooms. Amazed at that ! Interesting stuff as normal Raymond. And thanks for the Kiwi Gloria offer, that's really kind of you. Maybe if you need any Trooper Dan, we could just do a straight swap of a few plants? Lids are off the Vitopods completely, just green netting over the top, as the sunlight can get quite intense in the Polytunnel, as I'll spray them 2-3 times a day, and we'll see how that goes, as even the cuttings I took yesterday afternoon are flagging again this morning. Strange.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 23, 2016 21:09:52 GMT
Hi diggie that's what I did made two hot beds with warming cables and thermostat and over one made a wood frame and covered it with polythene , I have propagated thousands of plants with this system , so if your starting off you don't need to spend loads of money you can make things your self and save big time. Sometimes things work and sometimes they don't. I'm pleased for you that you have got lucky with your set up.
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jay65
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by jay65 on Feb 23, 2016 19:46:44 GMT
A tray of quite nice 'Mother' plants of mainly Cafe Au Lait Everything is coming along quite well, but space is necessitating another Garden building purchase! Nice healthy looking cuttings there jay65 :-) Thank you Daisy. I think in retrospect, what I will do next year, is just use the Vitopods for seed sowing my Geraniums and bedding plants, and even then, I will probably leave the lids off during the day at least, then use the heat benches for all my cuttings. The Tubers will be happy enough on the top shelves because the ambient temperature in the Polytunnels is kept at least 16*C anyway, so more than enough warmth there to get the tubers up and running. This leaves the heat benches completely free for cuttings, which last year were much happier than this years' Vitopod victims. All's fair in love and war though, and these things can be quite a learning curve. The Cuttings I am getting though are stronger and ultimately, healthier for it though, and seem to be making some really nice plants.
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