Growing Dahlias in Pots | Container Gardening

Hello! My name is Bethany and I grow things in my rooftop container garden in Chicago, zone 6a. In this video, I'll be planting four more dahlias in plastic pots.
Other Dahlias Videos
How I Stopped Killing My Dahlias: • Growing Dahlias in Con...
Planting Dahlias in Grow Bags: • Planting Dahlias in Gr...
For daily updates, follow me on Instagram @chicagogardener

[@naturalroots]

Would you believe that I just finished watching your recent dahlia video? This is back to back entertainment 🤗

[@ChicagoGardener]

Love it! I keep wanting to add more dahlias but I really need to control myself 🤣

[@marilynruggeberg]

Erin, The Impatient Gardener has gotten me hooked on Dahlias. I ordered one called Emperor which thr pictures say is purple, but the ones I got were white. Still Beautiful but I ordered the Emperor again to get a purple one. I have a yard so I start them inside and move them out into the ground end of May or 1st of June. ❤ P.S. Love your dress. ❤

[@kristinlambert189]

Hi Bethany, I'm trying Lilac Time for the first time as well! Such a gorgeous, unique color. I'm also using lg. square tomato cages that I spray painted black for my dinnerplates. For the medium dahlias I purchased some round tomato cages from HD that were already black. I will be making a modification that one dahlia society recommended. They advise turning the round cages upside down, wider ring on the soil, and then using bolt cutters to cut off the stakes. I'll then use many landscape staples to secure the cages into the soil. I hope this method works better in the long run, although I'm more partial to the English garden look of the bamboo stakes with jute. I'm still trying to research ways to make the tomato cages look better, painting them black works for now. Good luck and thank you for sharing your gardening journey with us!

[@ChicagoGardener]

That’s such a good idea about painting them black. The cages I’ve been looking at are green and I think black would definitely look better.

[@doowopshopgal]

Nice! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you have success with your newly planted dahlias. You always do such a great job with them.

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you! They are one of my top favorite flowers.

[@jrd9313]

Chic outfit! I'm growing dahlias in pots this year, and I decided to try the same fabric pots you got; 7 gallon looks like a nice size. I have some really big terracotta pots and putting crushed recyclables in the bottom, followed by a layer of ground cloth, can reduce the potting soil necessary and improve drainage. Easier to move around too.

[@kellymcdonald9396]

Have you thought about presprouting and growing on a bit in smaller containers? I do it in gallon containers and transplant into the bigger pots once they can go outside.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I did that with two last year and it worked well! Honestly, this year, I just don’t have any smaller pots bc they are all being used by other plants 😆

[@kellyg31]

Hi! You probably have already figured this out by now, but the mislabeled Dahlia looks like "Break Out". Eden Brothers sells a Dahlia mix called "Sweet Dreams Mix" that includes both Break Out and Cafe au Lait. They have a photo with both dahlias in it, and I think it is helpful when comparing the differences between the two.

[@seanhammond8537]

I have container garden and definitely agree regarding getting more compost never seem to have enough lol

[@ChicagoGardener]

I got though everything so quickly!

[@vircingitorixknightingale]

Pots with Automatic Irrigation LifeProTip: install the drip line thru one of the bottom hole first before filling up the planter with soil. Just make sure you cap both ends of the drip line to prevent being clogged with dirt. Then slowly fill up with potting mix and plant but don't bury/FORGET the "outlet" end of the drip line. Install the rest of the irrigation system on the pot. This way, the irrigation line is nowhere to be seen or hanging on the side of the pot.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I would definitely do that if I kept my pots in the same space the whole time but I move these around way too much 🤣

[@flowerpixel]

I really like square pots for some reason. Those are nice

[@melissacrotteau5882]

I wonder if your original "Penhill Watermelon" is really "Breakout"? Both beautiful! Happy Gardening!

[@berthastarks2863]

Hi: I have been watching " Garden Mouse" and she places her grow bags, with handles, inside of pretty planters similar to yours. Since you like the results you receive from the grow bags, perhaps the "Garden Mouse" method might work for you. You will still need the holes in the bottom of the planters. Next season, I plan to grow a few of the Dinner Plate Dahlias. Thank you for your information.

[@ChicagoGardener]

That’s a really good idea! That would also keep the grow bag from sitting directly on the deck.

[@Kte154]

I’d love an update on the dahlias you started already! How big are they, and how do you care for them? I’m also in the Midwest growing in containers, and this is my first year trying dahlias. You have been so helpful! ❤

[@ChicagoGardener]

I have a recent video about presprouting my dahlias and that’s the current stage I’m at! I’ll move them outside mid-May.

[@Kte154]

@@ChicagoGardener yes! I watched that one 🤩 I would love another update when you move them out or even before then. Mine are on my kitchen table, but I may need to join the #DahliaShowerSquad!

[@yesidtac7863]

Super tip

[@maureenklusaritz1080]

Love your channel

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you so much!

[@Kelly-fx3cy]

Grasshoppers decimated my dahlias (potted). I pulled out the tubers and am wondering if I can just re-pot? It's early July and we are having temperatures in the 80's and 90's. Should I store them for next year instead? Thank you!

[@dollydots17]

Great channel!!

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you!

[@privateperson5769]

Why is it I can't stop growing dahlias lol ...I ho hum abt them ..most are in containers too ..the best one I have is an old heirloom I got from my sons garden...I find the new ones do not produce as much and some are just plain disappointing . I grew quite a few from seeds I had and they actually performed the best - but are singles and here where I live they ALL get powdery mildew :( Dahlias and Tulips are addictive 😅 Someone gave me a Lilac Dinner plate flower for my birthday - it was HUGE and absolutely stunning.

[@ChicagoGardener]

That makes me excited for these lilac dinner plates!

[@privateperson5769]

@@ChicagoGardener Yes she gace me a Cafe au Lait, a Penhill Watermelon - which was stunning ! but the Lilac one just stood out for me, which is interesting as I would not normally go for a lilac colour like that .

[@patnunley2341]

The dahlias I bought at the local nursery are in 4 inch containers they don’t have the tubers just ruts, so what is the difference?

[@staythecourse2927]

Hi Bethany, I hope you can provide guidance for me :) This is my first time growing dahlia tubers. Got two packs Red, 1 pack Cream (dollar store, generic no name; thought I'd try my hand at bargain priced ones first). Used plastic container per dahlia tuber (approx 1.5 gallons), buried approx 2 inches deep in MG potting mix (9 mos fertilizer), watered heavily (too much), put under grow lights (first year with those too). They are growing *gangbusters*: each container of red dahlia has 5 'shoots' each 12' to 20' tall. (Yikes). Leaves are flopping, stems are starting to tilt (because I didn't put any supports). The cream dahlia container has 2 shoots' that are more stout (8" tall), huge rounded leaves (5" long, 3.5" wide). Seems to me just crazy....it's only April 24. My Question(s): when weather is predictably warmer (here in Toronto we're somewhat similar to Chicago), can I take each container and simply 'pot up' to huge ones? (Add supports). I have been watching all these videos on Dahlia cuttings to increase one's stock but these mutants are massive (i.e., already 5 ?sprouted eyes? per tuber), so I don't need more stock (I only have three 20-gallon fabric grow bags, as is). Hope I'm understandable to you. I am just astonished at the growth. 20 days from tuber to 20" tall...and growing! [Maybe this is all about the MG growing media, or the 16 hrs/day of grow light.] Any feedback much appreciated!

[@staythecourse2927]

Oops, that would be 12" to 20".

[@ChicagoGardener]

Last year, I started two dahlias in 6” containers and repotted them into larger containers once the weather was warm! As long as you’re gentle, it should work but I also don’t think mine were as large as yours at the time 😆

[@monicamacauley3750]

Don’t forget the stakes when you put them out permanently.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’m going to try tomato cages this year I think!

[@eileenchang2173]

@@ChicagoGardener Last year I placed the tomato cage around my pre-sprouted Dahlia in a pot and it worked out beautifully for the entire summer.🌸🇨🇦❤️

[@AngelaM745]

I had mislabelling happens to about a hundred tulips, they were orange instead of white, pink and purple. 😂

[@ChicagoGardener]

Yes! I have a white tulip growing and I never bought white tulips 🤣

[@fallunleashed1]

Question for you, do you still use purple cow activated compost for your potted dahlias? (If not, I’m wondering what kind of compost/brand of compost you use?) Thank you so much for your time!

[@ChicagoGardener]

I used mushroom compost this year just because it’s what I had on hand but I did use it last year and just picked up some more for this year!

[@roygaurav999]

Hii dr 💗 How are you 💗 i always watch your video's, so good and helpful your video's i always support you dr❤ i want to talk with you

[@alexk3352]

Do you do any preventative spraying for bugs/diseases? My dahlias got decimated by spider mites last year, so I'm thinking of spraying this year.

[@ChicagoGardener]

The only issue I’ve ever had on my dahlias is a few beetles but nothing that decimates the plant 🤞 I don’t do any preventative spraying until I see them and that’s worked well for me, but I have never had spider mites on my dahlias.

[@MM-qy1tl]

I’m wondering about the decision not to water the dahlias in if you’re keeping them inside. They might be fine, but I always heard that people didn’t water them in because there would be enough moisture from rain, but that obviously isn’t a possibility inside. Has anyone been able to sprout them without any moisture at all?

[@ChicagoGardener]

One of mine has sprouted already (I filmed this about a week ago)! I will say the compost was very wet when I added it in so it wasn’t completely dry in the pot.

[@caroldurand6803]

Did you put more than one tuber (of the same variety) in One pot please?

[@ChicagoGardener]

One per pot!

[@dcjanick88]

It’s freezing here how are they doing with this cold spring?

[@ChicagoGardener]

They are currently inside my home 😆 I’ll probably move them out mid May, assuming the weather is warm enough by then.

[@yvonnem381]

Hi Bethany, I forgot about the temps and left my dahlia outside last night. Do you think one night caused any harm? I just potted it up a couple of days ago.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I left my lemon tree out on accident a few nights ago and it’s still alive so I have home for you!

[@yvonnem381]

@@ChicagoGardener fingers crossed, thanks 😊

[@thebraziliangardener8481]

that first you planted did not look like it was gonna sprout,did it ?

[@ChicagoGardener]

Yes, they all did!

[@vf3600]

I love your hat! Where did you purchase?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I got it at a garden center but the brand is Sloggers

[@vf3600]

Thanks for the info! Really loved your Dahlias in containers tutorial.

[@maricrisbonzo7879]

hi! any updates on these dahlias? ❤

[@ChicagoGardener]

They’re currently overwintering in my garage! They did great last year in the garden. I’ll move them inside in April to presprout and get them back out in the garden mid-May.