It seems that most gardens are behind 2-4 weeks due to lousy June weather, both in the West and the East. I'm betting that fall (and first frost) will come earlier this year, too.

Is it a lopsided bloom with only half open and the other shut, or smaller bloom size, or they are not opening fully?

Hi cici, yes that is a perfect description lopsided, half open half shut. I agree it was a rough start of the summer. The woman I work for does not seem to understand that there are huge variables in growing dahlias or any plant for that matter. She blames me not the weather when something goes wrong. I am sort of between a rock and a hard spot with mother nature on one side and my owner on the other!! Thank you for your concern.

I have heard growers blame early bud thrip damage for lopsided blooms, but while it might well be the case in some instances, I doubt that is the reason most of the time.

Often this happens just as the plant is starting to bloom, and my theory is that the plant is putting lots of energy into making lateral branches and buds all over the place, so the quality of the early blooms are sometimes lacking. It will also happen at the end of the season, when root development and seed-setting is the plant's primary focus.

Serious show growers pinch out many branches and only allow one bud to develop at one time on each branch, with only two-three fully blooming at one time on the whole plant (for the giant-sized varieties). The results are breathtaking.

Most growers want good quality blooms with a high quantity simultaneously, and this can be achieved by pinching out the two side buds from each stem tip, leaving the middle to bloom. Even so, lopsided blooms might happen and should be cut off to allow that energy to be put towards a new bud to be developed.

once again cici your insight and information is much appreciated. Did I read that you are in southern PA? What part? Maybe we could exchange tubers I am less than an hour and a half from the MD PA border on Rt 81

cici I will let you know what I have if I have any. I am freaking out almost 80% of my dahlias are "lopsided" the owner of the property is not going to be happy!!! I feel badly for her she has invested a great deal of money in these dahlias. I have continued to cut off the lopsided blooms in hopes that the next batch of blooms will be better but so far that is not the case. You do not think it could be the fertilizer I used that is high in P and K? I will definitely do a soil test soon. I have upped my watering in hopes to help the situation, not sure it will help. Now the stink bugs have arrived GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Perhaps Gary will jump in with his analysis of that, or someone else who knows will speak up. Specific fertilizer ramifications is out of my knowledge zone. You might try images posted to a dahlia FB group to get a wider audience to your question. I'd try the ADS, ISO or Dahlia Info groups.

thanks cici I appreciate the information. Doesn't matter she fired me over the dahlia problem. And so it goes

Oh, goodness, dear heart. Big hug going your way...

I'm sorry her short-sightness prompted such a response. Please be sure to not forsake the dahlia with the position. Growing these beauties has its own rewards.

Thanks CiCi she was a very very difficult woman to work for and I will be better off without her. I will continue to grow dahlias I love them so much. The dahlias at my job were just starting to come into their own and in another 2 weeks will be wonderful. I am sorry I will not be there to get the tubers being that the owner always buys new ones. You have been so helpful and supportive thank you again. Lynn

Beige, my condolences to you!!!!! CiCi, I am in zone 5 , and i am wondering when your dahlias began to bloom this summer. My DP started Aug 20 or so, and my spider made it's first bloom this week, despite being potted up in April or May.

Thanks nuc I am trying to see the whole mess as a blessing. My dahlias started to bloom in late August and last week when I left the property they were going strong except they still have a lot of half blooms.

Nuc, I started getting blooms mid to late July, same as every year. But everything was slower to start because of crummy June weather. Please understand that I grow over 250 varieties with twice that many plants, and never plant a dormant tuber directly into the soil. Because of the number of plants and because I water/fertilize consistently, I am more likely to get early starters.

Overall, the dahlia community seems to be behind about 2-3 weeks from normal, regardless of which side of the continent they are on. I'm sure that I still have many plants not blooming yet, as two long rows were set back severely during the June floods. I am very keen on checking them out when I return to my garden next week.

What do you mean by 'spider?'

OOOps - I meant "cactus" dahlia, not spider