Dahlias Are Still Popping Off - October 2024

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My first year of *really* growing dahlias in my beds has been a learning experience.  From pests to watering to starting them indoors, I've learned a bunch this growing season that I can apply next year.  I'm also learning about their bloom-time.  I last posted a photo of the Melina Fleur dahlias in our front porch bed two weeks ago - mid-September - when the plants were full of blooms.  Fast forward to today, the first of October, and they're (surprisingly...) EVEN MORE FULL TODAY.  Below are a few photos showing some of the dahlias (Melina Fleur, Orange Nugget, and something that was billed as Cornell Bronze, but is a purple pompon one) in our front porch bed and sideyard.  

Before we go to the photos, I have to say...it is pretty fun to have something like these to enjoy on October First.  

First up is Melina Fleur in front of our porch:

Melina Fleur Dahlia in Bloom - Early October - Full of Blooms

Around the southside of our house are more Melina Fleur Dahlias.  This plant is NOT staked:

Melina Fleur Dahlia in Bloom - Early October - Full of Blooms

Further towards the backyard are the Orange Nugget Dahlias and these purple Pompon dahlias (that were supposed to be Cornell Bronze).  Along with a mess of Moonflower (annual vine) and direct-sown Zinnias.  

Orange Nugget and Cornell Bronze Dahlias - in Bloom - Early October

And, lastly, near the fence gate is the last Melina Fleur.  This one gets the least sun and was attacked by that fuzzy caterpillar and budworms a few weeks back.   It is the smallest of the plants, but was (earlier this season), producing the most flowers.

Melina Fleur Dahlias - in Bloom - Late October

I've cut hundreds of blooms from these Dahlias and have made dozens of arrangements this year.  It has been a lot of fun.  



Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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