Planting Six Melina Fleur Dahlia Tubers In the Beds - May 2024

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I'm moving onto the 'in ground' phase of my 2024 dahlia journey.   Three weeks ago, I potted-up my six Melina Fleur dahlia tubers into one-gallon nursery pots and started them indoors.  After they sprouted, I began to move them outside and did a little bit of hardening-off by putting them out in the shade for a few hours during the days and bringing them in at night.  Eventually....I just started leaving them outside overnight and they all seemed to be fine.  Here, below, is what they look like now:  about six-inches of foliage on each one:

Melina Fleur Dahlia Tuber - Started Indoors

I put three of them on the southside of the house - where I get full sun.  Tucked in/out of the Disneyland Roses along the foundation bed.    Below is one in front of the gas meter, one in front of the power meter and one tucked close to the gate, between a Karl Foerster Grass and the last Disneyland Rose.  

Melina Fleur Dahlia Tuber - Started Indoors - Transplanted outdoors in Full Sun

Melina Fleur Dahlia Tuber - Started Indoors - Transplanted outdoors in Full Sun

Melina Fleur Dahlia Tuber - Started Indoors - Transplanted outdoors in Full Sun

Speaking of Disneyland Roses...I now can (sadly) say that the three from 2023 all died.  Didn't come back this Spring.  Bummer.  They all had green shoots, but never put out any foliage.   Trying to make lemonade out of those dead rose lemons, I put three other Melina Fleur Dahlias up there  - in a triangle pattern.   See below for a couple views of those three:

Melina Fleur Dahlia Tuber - Started Indoors - Transplanted outdoors in Full Sun

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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