March Digest 2023
Dear Dahlia Friends,
Please read below for a note from our president, details about the upcoming tuber sale and mentorship program, and profiles of two DSO members.
Meg
If you'd like to be featured in future issues of the Digest please email me at digest@dahliasocietyofohio.org.
A Note From Our President
As March is now upon us, some of us are beginning our garden prep for the spring while others are still waiting patiently as many of us won’t plant our dahlias until mid May.
Since I grow a number of things besides dahlias, I’ve already got cold hardy seeds going and I’m already enjoying getting my hands in the dirt after the winter break.
One of the things I’m going to try to do more of this year is take cuttings of some of my favorite dahlias to increase my stock. If you’re new to dahlias, this is just a way to make a clone of a dahlia you love. One of my favorite videos on how to take cuttings is by Santa Cruz Dahlias, which you can watch here: https://tinyurl.com/6u2y3zuz.
The one additional suggestion I’d make is to make sure if you’re using a scalpel to sanitize it between each tuber, or use a new one for each to help prevent the spread of virus between your cuttings. Kristine’s method is just one way of taking cuttings, but it’s worked pretty successfully for me in the past.
Jess
Starting Tubers
Many within the DSO just plant their tubers after the chance of the last frost passes and the soil has warmed 55-60 degrees F, others begin their tubers inside. If you’re curious about starting your tubers inside, we have an article to share with you.
DSO member, Tony Evangelista, shares how he starts his tubers in an article that he originally wrote for the American Dahlia Society.
Here’s a short snippet of the article, you’ll can read the full story on the DSO website.
“Dahlia tubers are thickenings of roots. We dig our plants in the fall and divide clumps of those thickened roots into pieces for winter storage. In the spring we plant those with an eye or germinal center to start a new plant. One can simply drop that tuber in the garden when the soil has warmed to 55-60 degrees F and hope for the best. It is successful more often than not for most growers. I have done just that occasionally over the years when I was just too busy in the spring to start them earlier indoors. My success rate varied considerably depending on the moisture content of the soil at planting and with the subsequent amount and frequency of spring rain. Wetter soil at planting and soil remaining wet after planting contributed to greater losses. I could lose over a third of the tubers planted in years with wet soil conditions.
To minimize the above risk with direct planting many growers opt to start tubers in pots or trays instead of dropping tubers directly into garden soil. This allows one to get earlier blooms as a bonus. It also ensures greater success if done properly.”
Read the full article.
Mentorship Program
Last year the DSO kicked off a mentorship program where we paired anyone who was interested in learning more about dahlias with someone who has been growing for a number of years. We had great feedback on the program last year and in the survey that went out earlier in the year, a number of you indicated that you’d be interested in continuing this program again for 2023.
If you’re interested in being mentored or open to becoming a mentor, please let us know by emailing info@dahliasocietyofohio.org.
We will do our best to pair you with someone who lives close to you but if a mentor isn’t available we will pair you with someone who is responsive via email/phone to provide answers to any questions you may have.
Tuber Sale Donations
As we prep for our tuber sale in April, we’ve set up a few donation drop offs across NE Ohio. So if you’re interested in donating your extra tubers, you can pick the location closest to you to drop off your tubers.
East side location - Bob Leonelli, Solon
South side location - Lori Chiarappa, Cuyahoga Falls
Central location - Jessica Becker, Cleveland Heights
West side location - Mike Weber, Wellington
Please email info@dahliasocietyofohio.org to get the address/contact information for the location nearest to you.
If you’re unable to make it to a drop off location but still would like to donate tubers, please contact Tammy at 330-805-0076, or email info@dahliasocietyofohio.org.
Tubers will need to be dropped off at a location by April 9th so Tammy can make sure everything is inventoried in advance for the sale.
Introducing New Members!
Name: Cindy Slanoc
City/Town: Sagamore Hills
Tell us a little about yourself: I'm from Cleveland originally, moved to Milwaukee for a long time, and now I'm back in Northeast Ohio. I'm a marketing manager for a large industrial automation company during the day. Outside of work, I love spending time in the CVNP/Metroparks, traveling for work and fun, and of course, fussing over my dahlias from the time I start to wake them up in early April, to the time the frost finally gets them in late October. If it's nice outside, you can usually find me in my yard, playing in the dirt somewhere.
Number of years growing dahlias: 10 years. This year I'll grow between 50-60 or so dahlias in my yard.
How did you get into the world of dahlias? Honestly, I saw a bag of tubers on sale at a big box store and asked someone working there about them. She was quick with information and helpful hints, and had stories to tell about her mother growing dahlias. So I bought 2 bags for a total of $5 and my new obsession was born!
What is your favorite dahlia to grow? American Dawn was a new favorite these past 2 years. Such a prolific bloomer, and I love the color of the bloom against the dark stems!
Social media profiles: Instagram @cindy_in_cle
Name: Julie Wayman
City/Town: Ashtabula, Ohio
Tell us a little about yourself: I work at Ohio State University Extension as a Community Development Educator in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull Counties. Specifically I focus on local food issues such as local food access, supporting family farms, community gardens, food hubs, and other efforts to support local food production. I grow my dahlias on family's property in Geneva, Ohio. My grandparents purchased it in the 1970's to raise thoroughbred race horses. They have since passed on and I'm in the process of purchasing a part of the land to grow flowers on. I enjoy spending time in nature and with friends. I am also interested in the healing potential of flowers, plants, and nature in general. I enjoy bringing my dahlias to parties and sharing them with others. I'm fascinated by their beauty and symmetry and love seeing others reactions to them.
Number of years growing dahlias: 5 years.
How did you get into the world of dahlias? I was looking for ways to use my grandparents land and wanted to put in a garden. I didn't want to grow food crops since I have friends in that industry and would rather support them. Plus I was drawn to the beauty of flowers. I found dahlias online and was surprised to learn that they could be grown here as I had never seen them before. I soon became captivated by them. After having a successful first season I was hooked. I also grow cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers to complement them. And, I would eventually like to expand into peonies and roses.
What is your favorite dahlia to grow? I particularly enjoy anything pink or peach. My favorite at the moment is Otto's thrill.
Social media profiles: Facebook julie.anne.wayman
