As you can see below, I tried to grow Belle of Barmera again, starting the tuber indoors in April. So glad I attempted to grow the tuber again because WOW. It’s a pinker version of Labyrinth, how could I not fall in love with this bloom?
All seeds grown in the high wind prairie, Midwest, in macro-climate zone 5(ish). Average dewpoint in summer is around 60. Soil is a loamy clay. Although my preference is organic, I have used commercial fertilizers from time to time. Growing days are approximately 135.
The other no-bloom wasn’t even close to opening. It was the one dahlia I wanted more than the others. Hollyhill Orange Ice. *sob* The plant, under 2′ tall but bushy, gave me one tightly shut bud that died in the first frost. I will try again next year, and this time start the plant indoors. If you are curious, I have the link to the tuber I bought: https://bearcreekfarm.com/dahlias/hollyhill-orange-ice/#
I can’t even look at the product photo, it’s so pretty.
EDIT JANUARY 2022 – I bought a Hollyhill Orange Ice tuber again the next season from Bear Creek Farms and the true color was nothing like the product photo from the shop. That issue, along with their online ordering nightmare resulting in not getting the tubers I wanted, means I do not buy dahlia tubers from them anymore. There are too many other stellar dahlia tuber sellers to purchase from. I just checked BCF again, and they changed the photos they used. Yet one of the three photos is STILL not reflecting the correct color, as there is no pink in the true Hollyhill Orange Ice.
As always, I only speak from my own personal experience.
My Preferred Dahlia Tuber Sellers:
https://dirtroad-wild.myshopify.com/ is a fantastic dahlia tuber shop.
Also https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueBuddhaFarm?ref=yr_purchases
If a larger dahlia outfit is more to your comfort, Swan Island is quite reliable.
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The End