Tree Dahlia imperialis question

[omedusa]

Hello, usual lurker here....

I've recently aquired a white and a pink tree dahlia root, which I just "had to have". No one really knows a whole lot about it incl myself and when searching the web, see mostly flowers but not the plants itself. Does anyone have some good feedback on what it might look like and how to best care for it? I just know it's suppose to grow up to 20 ft tall, but is it shrubby or tree like. Thanks in advance

omedusa zone 9

[trudy]

I know this post is kinda old but noticed no one has answered you, not that I have the answers your looking for but like you I just had to have one an finally caved in a purchased a start an so far so good on the growing part. Mine seems to be slow growing, but thats partly my fault for not fertilizing it like I should. Although I did put a generous amount of compost in the hole when I planted it.

Here it isn't suppose to bloom til late in the fall if I remember right. I think mine is the lavender one. I do plan on taking cuttings b4 the cold gets it this year so I'll hopefully have a backup in case it doesn't come back next spring. Its suppose to be more tree like from what I've seen on the net an the blooms will be at the top of the plant. I have mine in full sun an it seems to like it there. Here is a link that shows a good bit: http://krobinson.blogs.com/weblog/20...ee_dahlia.html

[santoury]

Never even knew these existed. I want some now

I have some extremely rare plants to trade, if anyone has any?

Are these tuberous? Need a resting period? Are they "real" Dahlias?

[trudy]

If mine make it I'll hopefully have some cuttings come frost time. Mine came as a cutting of the stalk. I laid it trench style an it took. The middle between the nodes are hollow, I don't know about seeds forming on them. This is my first year with it, so will haveta get back to you near the end of the season.