taking a break, theyll start again

It's important to know that the transition from the greenhouse to your house results in a substantial shift in terms of care the plant ultimately receives. In example, the gh grower is feeding their plant every time they water. You can mimic this treatment by using a dilute fertilizer solution when you water. Be careful, though. When I look at your photos I see healthy, shrubby dahlias. Both BV and Cici nailed it in terms of what to expect. My advice... Don't succumb to overcare!

Hi Gary, thanks for your reply. What type of fertilizer would you recommend? I have been using a miracle-gro fertilizer (see photo) that attaches to my hose to water my plants since the day I brought it home. There is a switch on the handle to provide water+fertilizer or just water. I use the fertilizer about 2–3x/wk and just water 3–4x/wk. As you mention the plants definitely are green and bushy, so I thought the fertilizer was working. but maybe I am using the wrong kind? Or maybe not enough?

I frankly think you're doing fine. Too many people simply do nothing. You're savvy enough to use a very effect consumer product and complimentary applicator. The value of the MG product line is in the inclusion of chelated micronutrients. It's been the secret ingredient from the very beginning of Miracle Gro. It's the "miracle."

Short anecdote: I'm out in my garden and a neighbor happens by to ask me why her tomatos are not doing well. I first ask, 'Are you watering?' She says she is. I then ask, 'What type of fertilizer are you using?' Fertilizer?, she extolls. I didn't know I had to feed the plant too!