I posted the following to our Upstate NY Forum with a question regarding Dahlias. If you have time maybe someone would answer my question if I don't get a reply from that Forum?

RE: wind damage?

Posted by: CATS39 z5 Upstate NY (My Page) on Thu, Sep 29, 05 at 12:43

Hi Hammerl and All!

Yes,it appears all of us Upstater's got hit somewhat. I live just outside of Syracuse and the winds were actually stronger at 03:00 AM than the cold front winds that came through around 08:30 or so.

In fact we lost our power momentarily around 03:00 AM and the winds kept me up the rest of the morning. I have a great deal of respect for wind since our Labor Storm when they were clocked at 105 mph and took out an estimated 33,000 trees doing a great deal of damage in the Syracuse area. Whew!

I'm glad it's the end of Sept rather than the middle of August as my tall Dahlias took a "big hit". I have Arabian Nights, Lilac Bull, Contraste, Mystery Day and a couple others tall plants that I can't identify.

We may have some frost tonight anyway from what they say so that will put an end to a lot of things, if it happens.

Maybe you can help me out with this question. If we "don't" get a frost, its going to warm again, at least through next week, and if you can remember last year cold weather never came until well into Nov.

My question is this? If I cut back the damaged plants will it hurt the tubers if they were to stay in the ground for a few more weeks?

I've only done dahlias for the past 3 years and these are new experiences.

If your able to answer, thanks a mil in advance.

Jim