Exciting! Looks like it will be gorgeous color

I sure hope so :)

cicivacation thankz for your comment and the background history of Kenora Macop. How wonderful and sad at the same time a legacy and memory has tarnished. I'll do my part by using the correct name.

I was told I could not go Dahlias here amongst other things, since it was already purchased I said to hell with it and I put them in the ground. I was also told I couldn't go begonias, tulips, calla and clematis. All thriviers.

Since I planted them, they have took off, all are in bud - I have 4 varieties. I guess I'll find out if this is just beginner luck, but I'm more inclined to believe as you do they may be okay. I haven't had any issues out of them. I haven't had to water bc TX had its share of wet weather but will keep an eye out. I will most likely lift them after they go dormant and put thwm back in.

Also, should I be fertilizing?

Do I fertilize? And with what?

Here is today..

Without testing your soil, the safest fertilizer to use is a basic one with all the numbers the same, like 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. Look for a 'tomato fertilizer.'

Contrary to conventional wisdom that says never feed dahlias nitrogen, nitrogen is needed by growing dahlia plants and they suffer if there isn't enough In the soil. However, it is a good idea to stop fertilizing early August, as excess fertilizer absorbed by the root system as it is bulking up for dormancy can cause tubers to rot overwinter.

I don't know what causes a small petal count and visible bracts in the center. Lack of water during bud development, lack of nutrients, too many buds left on a plant?

I'd cut that one off to allow the plant to focus energy on the next bloom... Hope it shows you how marvelous this variety can be!