A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Landscape trials and triumphs Container Gardening Dahlias in a container

Hello!
I'm new to this site and this is my first post. Way to start huh?!
I planted four dahlia tubers in a sixteen inch container yesterday 5/6/07. The instructions gave no container tips at all. Should that have been my first clue??
My neighbor said that no way will the dahlias grow in a container. Period. Hmmmm. Another person said ANYTHING will grow in a container. She did mention that I should add a support of some kind now rather that later. I used the new Miracle-Gro potting soil and added M-G fertilizer to my watering can and used it for the first watering when I planted them. Should I re-plant elsewhere, remove a tuber or two or all of them? I do have them in a very good location, full sun till about 2:00 pm.
Thank you and looking forward to your suggestions,
Diana

Dahlias will do well in a container BUT it should be one dahlia per 5 gallon pot.

Thank you DeborahL. I'll remove three of them tonight!
Diana

I really think it depends on the size of the container and the size of the dahlias. I have 2 large urns (about 12" diameter) and I put 3 of the shorter variety in each. I like my pots to look really full.

Alan, good point.
My tip came from my friend who was a dahlia grower and judge at the county fair for years.

one of my friends moms she grows dahlias.she told Matt if he was to grow his in them to grow in large containers so their size would not be reduced.I'm not sure if she told to buy the tub.He bought a cow/horse water trow(maybe 55 gallon)He's moved all 15 into it.He raided my compost pile.she's suppose to bring some this summer when she visits.I asked for the bronze foilage ones and a few with the large flower heads& bishops childern& black knight.

I grew one in a pot last year. But it was small compared to the size it should have gotten.

I have started dahlias in containers for the past several years in March, and planted them out around this time. This year, it has to stay in the container until I have the new garden prepared around the pond, which will probably be at least a few more weeks if that soon.

Here's my Sunburst dahlia in a 5 gallon container -
it's about 3 feet tall already!

I put one per 5 gallon every year but I also have coleus and Gladiolas in that pot. I am like alan, I like a full pot.