I am (was) in the same boat. I've been anxiously awaiting my first buds. I'm in Central Mass. And didn't get the tubers in the ground until last weekend in May so they are a little behind. I finally got my first bloom this weekend but it's only supposed to be a 3.5 foot bush with 3 inch blooms so I heard those bloom before the larger varieties.

The rest of my plants (about 30 of them) about half have some buds forming and the other half are still working on their length first.

Last year I had the tubers in the ground mid may and got my first blooms July 21st so it seems right around the same timing as last year. I had blooms until the end of October even though it was cold so they keep going for much longer than most flowers.

So long story short...hang in there they will come!

Thank you!!! These guys are testing my gardening patience for sure. The grower north of me where I purchased the tubers from stated they were two weeks behind also. And I thought waiting on my cucumbers and zinnias was hard!

Mine haven't even formed buds yet either, but I planted them late (I think first week of June) I thought it was just me!

Hi Pink!

thanks for asking. I still have only one in flower but most have some buds. It's amazing how long it takes them to open from the bud stage. The one in flower is quite striking albeit short. A couple don't seem to want to get any height, not sure if pinching the center bud stunted them or something. Others have continued to grow a little tall.

Rachel

My dahlias are all loaded with blooms and I have to leave town for 4 1/2 days. They've required daily watering and I'm concerned I'll lose them all while gone. A timer set up isn't feasible and I doubt I can get someone to water. Their roots are shaded by their own leaves plus most had a layer of leaf mulch applied when first planted. Temperatures are supposed to cool down while I'm away, I'm hoping that helps. Not sure what else I can do besides a good drink the day before I leave.... any thoughts?