Dahlia growing for beginners.

Thanks newbie6. It's hard work but it's all worth it when they start flowering. I know exactly how you feel, I saw my first dahlia 5 years ago and was totally hooked. I've amassed a large collection of books, but once I found garden friends, I hardly use them, except for reference. I joined the National Dahlia Society, which I found to be very helpful.  When I load my pictures, using Photobucket I find I get the best photos I can.  Go to photobucket.com, register, and start uploading your pictures.  You can use their editing tools, and when your happy with the photo, there are four options on the right hand side, click on direct copy, then, back on garden friends, create post, click on insert image(icon in between envelope and clapperboard) clear the box, then right click and paste, then press insert. One thing, where the curser is flashing, is where the picture will appear on the page, so make sure before you insert, the curser is where you want the picture to be, took me ages to work that one out .

I've found great pleasure(and frustration!) in doing my own cuttings, but if you do that, you will need a frost free place to keep your tubers through the winter, then a heated greenhouse to start propagation from January onwards. The later you leave it, the more chance the tubers will become damaged by mould. Storing tubers is the biggest headache as there are so many different ways, and everybody seems to have their own opinion on the subject. Took me three winters to perfect what works for me. So if you go down that route, find what works for you and stick with it.

On the subject of heights and spreads, The National Dahlia Collection do not give heights as the dahlia can grow to different heights depending on soil types and climates.  I've found this to be true, as when ordering for a pacific height, I've ended up with the plant being too tall or too small. Colour is another variant, as this also changes depending on soil.  Talking to dahlia showmen, it seems they grow what they know to be best for their soil, so don't be to despondent when your new dahlia doesn't quite achieve the colour in the advert or on the packet. This is where buying from dahlia growers of repute is essential. You'll find on the forum, that a few of the members supply great quality cuttings as I can testify, and there are a few more that I could recommend.

Your list of dahlias is a bit like mine, scatter gun . A bit of everything, Though I do prefer the large and giants, mind, anything if it takes my fancy.  I see on your list for 2105 you've got Weston Spanish dancer and kenora sunset. I grew the latter in my first year and loved the plant, this year, after much badgering from the wife I'm growing Weston Spanish dancer, which is so similar to kenora sunset, only the size makes the difference.  But before you order plants for next year ask on the forum for recommendations, it will be worth it.

I think I've rambled on a bit, but I hope some of it helps.

Mark