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One of the brightest color combinations. There are a lot really nice flame dahlias. One of the newest ones is AC Abby B C FL that won the Dudley and Hart awards this year.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
Flame is an interesting color in that the ADS has declared that it is defined as being blends of yellow with orange or red colors and even a couple of bronze colors. However, if the yellow is combined with a dark red color, the flower is no longer a flame but is a dark blend. Crazy 4 Jessie, blend of yellow and dark red is an example:
I would prefer that the dark red colors blended with yellows be called flames too.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
Name: Annie Luck Apex, North Carolina BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN TH
Hi! I've only been growing dahlias for a couple of years now, so I know I will have lots of questions (that hopefully, someone can answer!) I started out this year with about 65 dahlias, but Tropical Storm Andrea flooded our area and about half of my dahlias rotted. A week or so later, it flooded again, so my dahlias have gotten off to a slow start, even stunted. Many are still wilted and limping along, some have no signs of life. The excitement is building as the remaining dahlias are slowly showing colors and starting to bloom. It's hot here in NC, so I know that can affect the coloring, but usually it seems to fade them, not make them more intense. My first Mardi Gras is about half open, as well as Patricia Ann's Sunset right next to it. They are both more red than orange, and the exact same color. The big question is: Why does my Mardi Gras have fimbriated edges? With that and the red coloring-(yes, there is a tiny amount of yellow), it just does not resemble the photos. Thanks for any advice you might be able to give me. Annie
I have noticed over the years that some flame dahlias are redder in the beginning of the year. Fimbriated edges on a petal is caused by warm weather, especially evening temperatures. In October, it will not be fimbriated.
Another fact: some red pigments in dahlias are made darker by intense sunlight. There are two groups of red pigment in dahlias. One fades in the sun. The other may get darker in the sun. Red pigment on some dahlia stems and leaves is the same pigment. The leaves and stems get darker in full sun.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
Name: Annie Luck Apex, North Carolina BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN TH
Thanks so much! Somehow, I just knew you'd have the answer. I've read many of your posts and learned a lot from you already! I do look forward to Mardi Gras looking like the Swan Island photo in the fall...and having a Chilson's Pride that is pink, not white. Dahlias are the most challenging flowers I have ever grown (here in NC), but also the most rewarding when all goes well. I'm totally addicted and proud to admit it Annie
Ah, yes, total addiction! Does anyone ever just" sort of" like dahlias if they are around them long enough? Maybe if they were color blind...But there is still the amazing geometry of the petals,....
Ted, you have talked previously about how some red pigments blend with the other colors after cutting... Is that both types, or only the one that also fades?
And I'm guessing that's another reason to cut right before shows, to keep the colors crisp and where they should be for that variety? Are entries with bleeding colors docked points?
Bleeding is not a fault in the blends. They, by definition, have different colors on the florets. In variegated and bicolor it is a fault. In a solid color dahlia you do not see the bleeding and therefore is not a fault. Many dahlias look better after a day or so because the bleeding makes the color more even. For example in a dark pink dahlia, the very light red pigment(pink pigment is just a low dose of red) looks much better when it has diffused all over the petal. It can be darker pink also.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
Name: Annie Luck Apex, North Carolina BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN TH
Hi Ted,
I've been thinking about what you said about my reds (and oranges) getting darker or fading in the sun. I will evaluate how they do this season where they are at and consider moving them to morning sun rather than the blazing afternoon sun where they are now. Are there any other "chameleon colors" that change so radically? Or do I just need to wait and see what happens in my little micro climate? There is so much to learn, but I am up for the challenge! Annie
One of the most vibrant, intense pigments in dahlias is a magenta red pigment that can be as bright and delightful as any you have ever seen, if it is developing and blooming during cloudy days. An example is Kenora Wow. The colors are amazing on cloudy days. But as soon as the intense sun hits the blossom, it will fade horribly and the flower will look very drab. Sorbet is another example. When sheltered from the sun by clouds or shade cloth, flowers that have this pigment are outstanding. In full sun, you would not even think it is the same flower due to the fading.
Pure whites and yellows do not fade. Purples may not fade much, but do benefit from shading. Orange is pretty fade resistant. Nearly all light blend flowers fade somewhat.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
Name: Annie Luck Apex, North Carolina BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN TH
Such valuable advice for me Ted! I shall plan accordingly for my planting next season and do my own experiments, now that I know what to look out for. I'm sure that you just saved me years of disappointments! Thanks again! Annie
Ted, back in 2012 you had a little M FD Flame called Jubilee Joy. It was a cheerful thing, if not exactly show winning form, and I was wondering if you still had it or knew what happened to it. The only link Google found for me was your 2012 list, and nothing at the St Mary's website.
"Jubilee Joy was selected by the Sisters of Saint Marys to
honor the 125th anniversary of the order. All proceeds of the
sales of this flower will be donated to the Sisters of St. Mary of
Oregon. Here is a link to their web site http://www.ssmo.org/"
"The flower is very vigorous growing and has very bright colors
and good stems for cutting. It makes lots of easily stored
tubers. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall."
Jubilee Joy was given to the Sisters and they grew a bunch of it at the facility. I am not in touch anymore with anyone there to know if it is still being grown. I no longer grow it. It was a cute flower suitable for cutting but not a show flower.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
Love to post my pet peeves. The color flame is not defined very well by the ADS. I believe that most of us think that blends of yellow or orange with reds should be flames. However, the ADS thinks that dark red with yellow or orange is not a flame and they put that combo into dark blend. Very confusing as many flowers are dark red with a yellow base and look like a flame to me.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
Wish you hadn't let that flower get away, Ted! It looks like a lovely one for the markets. Next time you are so generous, send me a tuber too to keep propagating... . I will maintain a library of "Not show quality but excellent cut flowers".....
Annie
. I will maintain a library of "Not show quality but excellent cut flowers"..... 