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Post by Tel on Apr 27, 2015 5:43:11 GMT
Thanks Cherry , have read 30 pages, not all pictures showed which was a little disappointing (probably my device) but what I did see/read was very helpful I just had a look back too Cat, I do not know why but the pictures disappearing on older threads, seems to happen a lot and I don't know why this is. Then when newcomers read old threads without the picture it makes the thread less interesting for them.  |
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Post by Lou78W on Apr 27, 2015 6:34:27 GMT
Thanks Cherry , have read 30 pages, not all pictures showed which was a little disappointing (probably my device) but what I did see/read was very helpful I just had a look back too Cat, I do not know why but the pictures disappearing on older threads, seems to happen a lot and I don't know why this is. Then when newcomers read old threads without the picture it makes the thread less interesting for them. The disappearance of old photos is usually when the poster has had a "clear out" and deleted pics from their computers. Pity I know.... |
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Post by Raymond on Apr 27, 2015 7:19:53 GMT
Thanks ian noted that down as well. I will see What is available. And what I decide. I saw the seedling last September in Kent and it looked a cracker in white. Superb centre it was shown by Dave s along with blyton Valentine which is a cracking colour. The seedling you grow 14 up been told so makes it a good choice for a smaller grower numbers wise. |
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Post by Cherry on Apr 27, 2015 9:26:52 GMT
It wasn't your pc or whatever Cat. I couldn't get the pics either. Perhaps it is because Wildlife has left the forum. Glad you enjoyed it. |
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cici
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Post by cici on Apr 27, 2015 15:04:32 GMT
I think I have said before to you after your base dressing (I use Q4 and Nitro chalk) nitro chalk is a very fast acting nitrogen for early on then the Q4 or FBB is slower release. Then I do not extra feed for the first month, then I feed two - three Hight Nitrogen feeds. All feed is applied by watering can I get to see each plant that way. I don't give a balanced feed I go straight onto high potash from bud stage again two - three feeds. One or two varieties I use an extra addition of sulphate of potash (moonlights) I do folia feed with seaweed extract and comfrey. I do not feed miniature decs and I do not feed my kiwis any potash. I add Epsom Salts to the feed two teaspoons per 2gal watering can 8 plants per fill, at bud stage for colour. Ian, do you always fertilize this way, every year? Do UK dahlia growers have their soil tested to check the levels of nutrients, or in your experience does it not seem to matter what is already in the soil from the previous season? |
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Post by ian on Apr 27, 2015 19:02:40 GMT
Hi Cici Good evening to you, I do have a soil test to make sure of what I have and what I havn't in the ground then start from there. Usually I feed 25 -30 g per sq metre of nitro chalk and 75 - 90g per square metre of Q4 and a scattering of farmyard pallets on all except Cactus and no feed on Miniature Decs only a dressing of Nitro chalk and Q4. Before I give a feed I asses the plants to se if they require the feed then I feed no more than two pints of feed per plant. I do not think there is any benefit of and more feed than two pints a plant can only take up so much. I then feed maybe 10days later again making an assessment first. I only use the sulphate of potash on maybe medium semi-cactus if they are soft due to excess rain.
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Post by Cat on Apr 27, 2015 19:46:22 GMT
Thanks Cherry , have read 30 pages, not all pictures showed which was a little disappointing (probably my device) but what I did see/read was very helpful I just had a look back too Cat, I do not know why but the pictures disappearing on older threads, seems to happen a lot and I don't know why this is. Then when newcomers read old threads without the picture it makes the thread less interesting for them. I have still learnt a fair bit from the thread so I am glad I was directed there. Don't know if Im coming of going with it all but time will tell. All the family are interested in mine and Che's exploits so its all good healthy fun  |
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Post by Cherry on Apr 27, 2015 19:50:52 GMT
Keep asking questions Cat and you should get very good blooms. |
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Post by Cat on Apr 27, 2015 19:53:33 GMT
Keep asking questions Cat and you should get very good blooms. Thanks I will, everyone is so kind on here. I do feel a bit isolated with it all because I dont know anyone down here in cornwall to ask so having you all to hand is great |
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Post by Raymond on Apr 27, 2015 21:45:22 GMT
Well things are going very slowly for Me here it is taking approximately 24 days for things to root for me if they do at all. I only have enough Weston pirate.
So I have sent my SOS email to Kent and buying in rather a lot on Saturday.
Hey ho !
If mine do root anyone want 178 pot tubers in the autumn ? Hehehe
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cici
Junior Member
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Post by cici on Apr 28, 2015 2:33:40 GMT
Hi Cici Good evening to you, I do have a soil test to make sure of what I have and what I havn't in the ground then start from there. Usually I feed 25 -30 g per sq metre of nitro chalk and 75 - 90g per square metre of Q4 and a scattering of farmyard pallets on all except Cactus and no feed on Miniature Decs only a dressing of Nitro chalk and Q4. Before I give a feed I asses the plants to se if they require the feed then I feed no more than two pints of feed per plant. I do not think there is any benefit of and more feed than two pints a plant can only take up so much. I then feed maybe 10days later again making an assessment first. I only use the sulphate of potash on maybe medium semi-cactus if they are soft due to excess rain. Thank you for the kind response. I must say, I feel as if I don't speak the same language at times!  Never heard of nitro chalk or Q4, and there are no bags of sulphate of potash in the US garden stores that I have seen. Not that some form of those aren't here... I just don't know what they translate into over here. We talk of nitrogen in urea form, calcium and high pH in lime, magnesium in Epson salts, and phosphorous/potassium in number-coded fertilizers that make the bravest beginner weak in the knees! i had my first soil test done on three beds of various ages, and the two oldest beds showed that I need to stop all forms of fertilizer except nitrogen. I'm skeptical, though, that I should forgo feeding the plants during the key times that matter the most (prior to bud development, mainly). if the lab tells you the soil has all nutrients except water-soluable nitrogen, would you follow that recommendation? I am tempted to cheat a bit. |
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Post by Lou78W on Apr 28, 2015 6:30:44 GMT
I know it probably doesn't help cici but I would go with your instincts. A lot of amateur growers here (ones that just grow for pleasure) do not test their soil and use the same feeds year after year with good results. |
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cici
Junior Member
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Post by cici on Apr 28, 2015 11:50:31 GMT
Thank you Lou... My instincts have served me well for five years with plenty of good blooms. But there is a large distinction between 'good' and 'great' blooms, very obvious at the shows and in master grower's dahlia beds. I've got a ways to go before my show blooms are 'great.'  |
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Post by Lou78W on Apr 28, 2015 12:44:03 GMT
Thank you Lou... My instincts have served me well for five years with plenty of good blooms. But there is a large distinction between 'good' and 'great' blooms, very obvious at the shows and in master grower's dahlia beds. I've got a ways to go before my show blooms are 'great.' That is very true cici. Mine have a long way to go too...always striving for perfect....if there is such a thing ! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2015 14:56:06 GMT
Hello Dahlia growers! Just started using a heated propagator for the first season (previously I did tuber division and then unheated propagator cuttings) Result not good, 30 fresh cuttings damped off immediately. Any ideas what's wrong? Too hot, too humid? Used the 50/50 peat sand mix. I've since done a load more cuttings in a cool propagator and they're standing up fine with just a misting twice a day. Thought bottom heat was a surefire way to quick rooted cuttings? Also when trimming my cuttings of the bottom pair of leaves, should I leave the tiny emerging buds on or rub them off? thanks in advance |
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Never heard of nitro chalk or Q4, and there are no bags of sulphate of potash in the US garden stores that I have seen. Not that some form of those aren't here... I just don't know what they translate into over here. We talk of nitrogen in urea form, calcium and high pH in lime, magnesium in Epson salts, and phosphorous/potassium in number-coded fertilizers that make the bravest beginner weak in the knees!
