AboutC.L. Fornari Expertise Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.
Experience I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.
Question Hi Again with another question. I have planted some miniture dahlias that came in the little divider trays at a nursery. The same thing happened last year. The plant looks healthy, however the buds never open and the ends of the buds turn brown. They are in the sun and I have kept them moist. Any suggestions. I used to grow the dinner plate dahlias and never had this problem.
Thanks again.
Maxine
Answer Maxine,
Dahlias - small and large - do best when they are watered from below - if the buds get moist frequently they get a fungus and turn brown. I think that what is happening is that when you water the entire plant is getting moist. Try to water so that the ground is splashed, not the plants, and always water in the morning so that the plants can dry in the sun and breezes before nightfall. If the problem continues, try spraying with Serenade, an organic fungicide.
