http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info en-gb paulsdahliaguide.info 2011-5-29T00:00:00Z paulsdahliaguide.info http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#95023 Camborne 28th and Beacon 29th I hand weeded each plot so that the dahlias are not competing for nutrients with the voracious weeds and then lightly hoed each plot within a couple inches each dahlia being to aeriate the soil. I then replenished the moth balls and slug pellets. 2011-5-29 19:34:27 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#95022 Today I planted out the dahlias removing the lowest pair of leaves on the bigger plants and in each case planting up to a depth of the lowest pair of remaining leaves on each dahlia and into each hole I added Camborne and Beacon a heaped trowel of GrowOrganic a heaped trowel of Erin Multipurpose compost. Each dahlia was watered in with 2 pints water. The water containing the following per gallon Phostrogen Lawn Feed high nitrogen content 1 scoop Epsom Salts 1 scoop Maxicrop BioStimulant 10ml. The dahlias will not be watered again for 12 14 days weather dependant so that they seek out the water and create a firm anchorage. Moth balls were placed around each dahlia to ward off butterflies and slug pellets were randomly scattered around. 2011-5-29 19:18:45 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#95020 Today I added per square yard the following to the plots Camborne after hand weeding plots spent tubers compost from the propagation benches Vitax Q4 4oz lightly raked in. Beacon after hand weeding plts vitaz Q4 4ozlightly raked in. 2011-4-29 19:10:02 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#86801 Propagation concise 11th February removed dahlia tubers from the multipupose compost used for storing them over the winter in my greenhouse and placed them to one side for later trimming. The spent compost was recycled by spreading over the Beacon plots. The greenhouse was brushed up and the fishboxes were sterilised with Jeyes Fluid at standard rate. When dry each fishbox was filled with a 4 inch depth layer of Westlands MultiPurpose Compost with added Jon Innes this was watered in using Maxicrop Growth Stimulant. The three lit paraffin heaters were placed under the boxes and underneath the staging. This was then left for 24 hours. 12th February all tubers were trimmed by removing any looserotted pieces and rats tails. The labels were kept with the tubers. The tubers were placed into the boxes and nestled into the moist compost. More compost was then added around the tubers ensuring there was compost under each tuber. These were covered about half way up each ... 2011-2-12 18:21:59 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#95019 Today I added the following per square yard to the plots Camborne GrowOrganic 6oz Maxicrop Seaweed Meal 6oz excepting the mini cactus plot where the seaweed meal added was Elixir. Dug over to a spades depth. Beacon GrowOrganic 6oz BampQ Chicken Manure Pellets 8.80oz Elixer Seaweed Meal 6oz. Dug over to a spades depth. 2011-1-16 19:01:29 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#71195 The covers have now been erected over the framed dahlias with Camborne done 24072010 and Beacon done 25072010. Under all covers a series of yellow targets have been fitted. 2010-7-25 14:49:42 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#71194 Today I changed the feed for one with a higher potash content on 23 of the dahlias as follows Camborne Marys JomandaWeston PirateRyecroft Ruby Tomorite Tomato Feed 10mlgallon water. The rest of the dahlias have no change of feeding content. Beacon all dahlias Vitax Tomato Feed 1mlgallon water. 2010-7-25 14:40:44 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#70600 Today I mulched all the Camborne plots and the Beacon mini dec plots using a 4 straw layer. There was no requirement to water the soil beforehand as there has been heavy showers in Cornwall this week. 2010-7-17 14:02:31 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#70042 Dolcoath plots today I debranched the smalls dahlias as follows Deborahs Kiwi 7up Ruskin Helen 2 plants each 7up and 8up Kelsae Carla 7up Yellow Wooton Olympiad 1 plant 6up 2 plants 8up Trelyn Kiwi7up Ruby 8up. Debranching is not required on the Weston Pirate and Marys Jomanda as being miniatures these were double stopped to increase stems and not reduce them. I lightly hoed all plots to aeriate the soil 2010-7-10 16:24:51 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#68897 Camborne and Beacon all plots today I changed the feed to one of a balanced content being Maxicrop Complete Garden Feed NPK 555 and applied it at 10mlgallon water 3 pints per plant. 2010-6-26 20:12:54 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#67103 5062010 Today I commenced the weekly feeding regime as follows Beacon all plots with Seasol liquid seaweed extract at 10mlgallon water giving each dahlia 2 pints waterfeed. Camborne plot 1. planted up with Deborahs Kiwi sc Yellow Wootton Olympiad ssc Ruskin Helen ssc Kelsae Carla uc using Bod Ayre liquid seaweed extract at 10mlgallon water giving each dahlia 2 pints waterfeed. Plots 2 to 5. planted up with Trelyn Kiwi sc Marys Jomanda min b Weston Pirate min sc using Seasol liquid seaweed extract at 10mlgallon water giving each dahlia 2 pints waterfeed. Also I have commenced the weekly hand weeding regime as thou small any weeds are in competition with my dahlias for nutrients and the weeds will always be the victors. I hand weed rather than use a hoe because of the shallow rooting nature of dahlias. 6062010 Today I hand weeded all plots Beacon. 2010-6-6 05:24:48 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#67102 Today I sprayed all dahlias using Roseclear 3 combined insecticide and fungicide. This will be done on a weekly basis as a precautionary measure. 2010-5-30 05:10:25 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#65950 Today I planted out all 102 dahlias. I dug a hole deeper than the rootball added a handful of Erin compost to each hole and mixed this in. For taller dahlias I removed the bottom leaves and for rootier ones I teased out some root with my thumb. I placed the dahlias into each hole up to the bottom pair leaves and backfilled with soil. I made a recess around each dahlia allowing water applied to run into the dahlias rootball. I water in all dahlias with a pint of water plus Epsom Salts and either Maxicrop Original at 10mlgallon water Camborne or Seasol Seaweed Feed at 20mlgallon water Beacon. Around each dahila I placed mothballs and ample slug pellets. All dahlias will not be watered again for around 12 days allowing them to start forming a sound root anchorage. 2010-5-22 17:47:34 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#64890 Base Dressing added the following per square yard lightly raking into the soil surface. 8052010 Camborne Plots Vitax Q4 4oz 9052010 Beacon Plots Vitax Q4 4oz 2010-5-9 17:57:23 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#56370 Soil Conditioning added the following per square yard digging in same to a spades depth 160110 Beacon Plots Superdug 1x5 flowerpot BampQ Chicken Manure Pellets 10oz Proctors Calcified Seaweed 4oz. 170110 Camborne Plots As Beacon excepting Deborahs Kiwi with SuperdugBampQ Chicken Manure Pellets Bod Ayre Seaweed MealGranules 4oz. 2010-1-17 18:43:14 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#54460 Laid a weed supressing membrane on one side of the greenhouse floor added a 4 layer of Bullrush MultiPurpose peat based compost over this placed around 50 tubers on top of the compost and backfilled over with more of the same medium the remainder of the tubers are for selling thus supplementing my costs. Lit a paraffin fuelled heater and this will be kep lit until midFebruary. Prepared loads of labels using my Brother ptouch labeller I consider this makes for a more professional looking label as well as the labels being superbly weather resistant. 2009-12-6 10:17:55 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#54459 Dug up all tubers and left on the soil surface for 24 hours allowing some of the loose soil to break away before commiting the tubers to the greenhouse storage. 2009-12-5 10:15:00 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#54458 Cut down all dahlia stems to about 6 8 from ground level and put the stemsfoliage in a heap to allow to break down these can later be dug into the plots of desired. 2009-11-28 10:06:04 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#54456 Cleared out and sterilised the greenhouse using Jeyes liquid at the standard recommended rate of 35ml5litres water via my Hozelock sprayer. The greenhouse will be left now for one week to allow time for the Jeyes to do its stuff. 2009-11-22 09:59:09 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#54465 I have now come full circle in that like Pengegon this is a village show with all the diversifaction of entry this can bring. The dahlias are not of a particularly high standard in terms of county level however the pleasure gained for the general grower in obtaining a place card is truly rewarding and plain to see. I didnt win any cups at this show hower I did win all three dahlia classes on offer with a mixed vase of Blyton Lady In RedBarbarry Pip Marys Jomanda Weston Pirate. The beauty of these village shows is that they are a good starting point for anyone dipping a toe in the water and entering the show arena. So in conclusion an excellent year in start contrast to 2008 but thats just the way it goes with my enjoyment and enthusiasm unwavering. I am truly bitten by the bug that is dahlia growing and exhibiting. 2009-9-19 10:56:05 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#54463 The standard at this show given the fact its now midSeptember is usually very good and this year was no exeption. I collected Best Exhibit In Show with a mixed set made up of singles blooms comprising Scausr SunsetBarbarry PipMarys JomandaWeston PirateTrelyn KiwiAmber Festival. Once more very pleased with my rewards for a lot of endeavour effort and application. 2009-9-13 10:44:39 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#54462 This is the main show of the year for me in terms of being the biggest dahlia show in Cornwall and standard of entry with exhibitors coming down from over the border. Collected the Best Vase In Show and Best Small Decs with a set of Scaur Sunset Best Small Cactus In Show with a set of Trelyn Kiwi The Karsalan Trophy with 3 blooms each of the aformentioned Scausr Sunset and Trelyn Kiwi together with Weston Pirate. TheKarsalan entry also collecting 2nd Best Exhibit In Show. Thoroughly delighted with the results of my efforts. 2009-8-28 10:36:43 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#47424 Timing of dahlias was excellent for this weekend gone. I entered 14 vases and won Best Exhibit In Show with a vase of 3 Trelyn Kiwis. One of the judges Peter Greenway a National Dahlia Society exhibitor paid me a huge compliment by telling me it was considered my Trelyns were in a different class to all the other dahlias there. Must admit I have now been showing long enough now to know they would take some beating as all blooms were very even with tight centres and its a great feeling walking into the event in the morning at staging time with this air of confidence in the blooms delighted. Also at yesterdays show just missed out on 2nd Best Exhibit In Show with a vase of Scaur Sunset. 2009-8-23 08:34:18 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#47228 Now its serious being a dedicated dahlia growerexhibitor my main shows in terms of importance are The West Cornwall Dahlia Club two Shows and the same for The Cornish Dahlia Society. I entered a few exhibits today and pleased to say that my 5 x Trelyn Kiwi collected Best Dahlia Exhibit In Show and my Marys Jomanda collected Best Miniature Balls In Show. So all in all a pleasing start and more so I think verification of my growing methods The Author 2009-8-16 09:56:26 http://www.paulsdahliaguide.info/page15.htm#47227 First show of the year for me this one is my local show being at the end of the road I live in. Entered 7 classes and came away with 7 first places plus Best Dahlias In Show with Weston Pirate min sc and Most Points In Dahlias. Promising start but tomorrow for me as I always say Now Its Serious The Author 2009-8-15 09:50:42