Has anyone grown tall dahlias (4-5 ft) in an Earthbox? I have an excess of dahlia cuttings, and no room left in my sunny beds. I'm thinking of two dahlias in each box.
Have to ask someone on the dahlia forum if they would need the usual application of dolomitic lime in the box.
(I'm also cross-posting on the dahlia forum to see if anyone has had experience with EBs and dahlias.)
Thanks!
Growing dahlias in Earthboxes?
Hi, CapeCodGardener. I hope you received replies regarding your query. I guess most of us here save our EBs for our edibles. However, you gave me an idea to plant one special brug in an EB - - - although brugs eventually become trees. Hmnn, I have to rethink this. LOL.
I hope you're enjoying the season. I do miss ornamental plants...
Sincerely,
Annapet
Moonglow, people did respond on the dahlia forum--but nobody had actually tried dahlias in an EB or HEBm and no one could really answer my question about adding lime or not. So I just made an executive decision to plant each of my extra EBs with two dahlias apiece and not to use lime, since dahlias prefer acid soil. So far, they're about 1 foot tall--we've had SO much rain and so little sun that I know they're "behind" but they are growing. I'll let you know how they go. My next challenge is going to be figuring out how to stake them as they grow taller.
And I've just taken out my snow peas from two EBs and am contemplating putting in some extra ornamentals them now that they are empty, maybe some annual vining somethings that can grow up the EB trellises and hide my air-conditioner-area.
Never tried Dahlias in EBs but they should do well because any plant in an EB does not have to have their roots search deep for water(dahlias love water) and fertilizer which would be readily accessible to them. As far as staking them you could buy the EB staking sysetem or use vinyl or wooden stakes if not growing on concrete. Depending on type of dahlia like dinnerplate I'd plant two per or three if dwarf or border dahlia.
Thanks, Tplant for the staking suggestions. I'm not using the staking system that is available from EarthBox because of the expense; I need 10 of them! But I'll figure out something (she said hopefully LOL) I'm watching the dahlias in EBs as compared to my in-ground ones. So far, they're about equal in size (12-18 inches tall. ) So far, I'm the only one that I know on DG that is trying dahlias in EBs or HEBs. But you're right; why not!
Hi, CapeCodeGardener! I do not know the growth habit of dahlias so I'm sending you the link for several flower supports. I'm a huge fan of Gardener's and they stand behind their products. Great customer service, too. They always have coupons you can apply to your purchase.
http://www.gardeners.com/Flower-Supports/FlowerGardening_FlowerSupports,default,sc.html
I hope you are having a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Annapet
I grow daylilies in them.
Thanks, anapet, for the terrific recommendation for plant stands. I think I see a good one, that is tall yet has three "feet" for stability. I was leery of regular wooden stakes because the EBs are not that deep for pounding them in enough.
Gardenglory, I am impressed--do you leave the daylilies in for several seasons?
Very interesting to learn of other uses for EBs or other self-contained box gardens besides veggies.
Thanks!
HI CapecodG
I planted Dahlia's in 5 gallon pots. I had too many and ran out of room as well. I used the info from this link to stake them. They're coming up but I won't do it again. Too much trouble. It could be modified very easy to fit the EB's though.
http://www.dahlia.org/index.php?page=growing-dahlias-in-pots
Sherri
CapeCod -- I did not mean to place the stakes inside the EB but in the ground outside the Eb unless you are growing on concrete then you would have to use another device.
Wow, Sherri, that link provides the most comprehensive directions for growing dahlias in containers that I have ever encountered! Very helpful.
I can see that anchoring the stakes in the way the author describes would provide a very stable way to keep the stakes upright (as well as the dahlias!)
I can also see that it is a great deal of work--though doubtless very effective.
I'm leaning towards trying the Garden Supply "tall flower" cages AND placing my EBs full of dahlias up against a garden fence for added protection and stability in case the cages start to tip. I could then lash the cages to the fence.
I've never grown anything but veggies in EBs, for which I've used the commercial staking system, which is rather ugly for use with ornamentals! (Not to mention, expensive.)
Well, we shall see. I"m tempted--in fact, I'm going to try--using a few different methods of staking my tall dahlias. I'll post my results.
Thanks, everyone, for such good input.
HI Capecod
I used black electrical ties instead of wire. Much easier to hook them to the stake and thread the ends into a "button holes" I poked through the pot. Looks funny but is stable. Dahlias are growing up around them. Your method sounds much easier and will be nice against the fence.
I've grown a few different flowers in the EB's. I lived near the EB sales area in FL. The grew beautiful flowers. Petunias and geraniums were very full and the boxes weren't noticeable. They had huge papaya's growing as well as every veggie you could imagine. We bought all our veggie slips and herbs there.
Good luck. Love to see your pictures.