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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 4, 2012 11:47:37 GMT -5
Anyone know what kind of growing season, requirements it needs to flower/produce seeds?
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Post by atash on Jan 4, 2012 22:00:49 GMT -5
Sorry; no direct experience. It is rare in my part of the world and not exactly common in Europe. However, it does not bloom particularly late as Dahlias go, so I think you might be OK, especially as you're probably at a lower latitude than I'm in anyway. It could start as early as August or September. It's a short and relatively early-blooming species (September through November are more typical of Dahlias). I always know when a frost is coming because the Dahlia imperialis is about to bloom.  I've got some domesticated D. coccinea types too; those bloom on a more timely basis (though they got nipped, too, this year). Seed could be a bit nip-and-tuck. Might need to protect from frost as it tries to ripen it. Still holding out for the beautiful D. tenuicualis, which I once owned and, sadly, lost to slugs/snails. It was at a rental property. It's roughly 12 feet tall, or so, purple blush on the foliage, nondescript light purple flowers but unlike D. imperialis it starts blooming in August not November. D. imperialis is around 20-30 feet tall. Often confused with a different plant that is a hybrid. How do other Dahlias do in your summers? |
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 6, 2012 10:41:19 GMT -5
They do well normally but I don't have that much experience with just species. Normally you get blooms by high summer and frost doesn't generally hit until late September so it's a good season. Of course, I'm interested in their potential as an attractive food crop.
D. tenuicaulis sounds amazing!
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I've got some domesticated D. coccinea types too; those bloom on a more timely basis (though they got nipped, too, this year).