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Posted on 6:21 AM by Wanto and filed under
By Matthew Joy
As an alternative some growers with ample frame space prefer to prepare beds in the frames, and, instead of potting on, knock the plants out of their small pots and plant directly into the prepared soil, spacing the plants about 6 in. apart in all directions. This method is quite satisfactory, although it is a little expensive in frame space, and, provided the bed has been well prepared, the plants lift well, with an enormous ball of soil, and grow away very plants will touch the glass and so become liable to frost damage.
Having made a careful selection, obtain catalogues from well tried, reliable nurserymen; remember also that a personal recommendation from a keen dahlia fan is often of more value than an appealing advertisement, and place your order with a grower offering most of the varieties you require. If in any doubt, split your order between two or more nurserymen. You may save a little money by this, as varieties vary somewhat in price from catalogue to catalogue according to the amount of stock held. In any case it is an insurance policy, because if one purchase is poor the chances are that the other will not be, and you will have already gone some way on the road to selective buying.
Slugs may also be troublesome, even in the greenhouse, and almost certainly in the frame, but slug bait used regularly will eliminate these very quickly. But act at once as soon as damage is seen. It is even better to assume that slugs are present and to proceed accordingly.
If you have any facilities for looking after the plants for a short while before planting time, take this into consideration and ask for delivery accordingly. The nurseryman will be pleased, for he will clear valuable frame space, his despatching staff will benefit and, most important, you will get plants in prime condition for potting on to give early flowers. Of course if you have a warm greenhouse it is good sense to ask for delivery by the end of April. You will then get first struck cuttings which cannot fail to give good tubers.
Although it is probably inadvisable to admit much air for the first seven days, after this some ventilation should be given on all but the coldest days, providing no direct draught is caused. The amount of ventilation should be gradually increased during daylight hours until on fine days the lights may be removed completely.
The lights should be replaced at night, though some ventilation should be allowed unless frost seems likely, until about a week before planting time when the lights may be left off at night also, subject of course to the weather conditions being suitable, as it obviously is unwise to do this in very cold blustery weather.
Having made a careful selection, obtain catalogues from well tried, reliable nurserymen; remember also that a personal recommendation from a keen dahlia fan is often of more value than an appealing advertisement, and place your order with a grower offering most of the varieties you require. If in any doubt, split your order between two or more nurserymen. You may save a little money by this, as varieties vary somewhat in price from catalogue to catalogue according to the amount of stock held. In any case it is an insurance policy, because if one purchase is poor the chances are that the other will not be, and you will have already gone some way on the road to selective buying.
Slugs may also be troublesome, even in the greenhouse, and almost certainly in the frame, but slug bait used regularly will eliminate these very quickly. But act at once as soon as damage is seen. It is even better to assume that slugs are present and to proceed accordingly.
If you have any facilities for looking after the plants for a short while before planting time, take this into consideration and ask for delivery accordingly. The nurseryman will be pleased, for he will clear valuable frame space, his despatching staff will benefit and, most important, you will get plants in prime condition for potting on to give early flowers. Of course if you have a warm greenhouse it is good sense to ask for delivery by the end of April. You will then get first struck cuttings which cannot fail to give good tubers.
Although it is probably inadvisable to admit much air for the first seven days, after this some ventilation should be given on all but the coldest days, providing no direct draught is caused. The amount of ventilation should be gradually increased during daylight hours until on fine days the lights may be removed completely.
The lights should be replaced at night, though some ventilation should be allowed unless frost seems likely, until about a week before planting time when the lights may be left off at night also, subject of course to the weather conditions being suitable, as it obviously is unwise to do this in very cold blustery weather.
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