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Dahlia issues #875387

Asked June 30, 2024, 6:28 PM EDT

Hello! I have been growing dahlias for 3 years and most look great. But a few look really odd. They are all in the same two beds with the same soil. Can I get the soil tested and how? Meanwhile I am hoping you can look at my pictures and help me figure out if these plants can be saved.

Cuyahoga County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for your question.  Aren't dahlias the best?  So what I see are some leaf curl and color variations and the one that is "stunted" or smaller than the others.

I believe these are dahlia tubers that you planted.   However, I don't know if they are the same tubers year after year and if you have divided and stored them over winter.  

So here are a few links to dahlias, this video covers a lot of info: https://mastergardener.osu.edu/HHHLNL23-24 and calls them the 'garden divas' 

This https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/1123 also has good information.

The dahlia society of Ohio has an article on the dahlia virus which may be affecting the stunted dahlia that you have.  Read this and follow the suggestions of disposing of (not composing) this dahlia https://www.dahliasocietyofohio.org/dahlia-care and sanitize tools that you use.   

In summary, I suggest disposing of the stunted dahlia that may have the virus and digging tubers once the foliage has died back in late fall and follow the storage suggestions in the articles (Ohio winters are too unpredictable to keep them in the ground and we don't meet the recommended zone 7-10 for leaving them in ground.

And if you want to do the soil test, here is a resource for getting started 

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132 there are labs listed at the end of the article that do testing, it is usually through a pre paid kit they mail to you and you send back.


I hope this helps and you enjoy some beautiful flowers soon.

Kim Replied July 02, 2024, 11:40 AM EDT

Thank you for this - I will visit all these links. I wil dispose of the stunted dahlia. It was a new tuber this year from Swan Island. I do store my own tubers and they have overwintered pretty well in peat moss and storage coolers but I will still watch the videos you sent. I am not highly skilled at dividing. Each year I also order 5-10 new tubers from reputable growers (r so I think),

As for the ones with cured leaves and color patterns - do you think it is ok to keep those in the ground? They are growing and producing buds,

The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 2:54 PM EDT

Once you watch the dahlia virus video see if you think that meets the criteria and dispose accordingly.

Kim Replied July 15, 2024, 11:54 AM EDT

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