Flower that makes me feel like a size queen

[botias]

My mamma and I made a day trip to civilization this weekend in celebration of our birthdays. It's a bit of a drive, 4 hours, but I had a lot of fun. I tramped around in a dahlia field outside of the city in weather about 30 degrees warmer than I was dressed for or accustomed to; she shopped the outlet stores. I went to see 'Avatar Now With More Alien Tentacle Secks'; she shopped the mega mall. Then we both shopped for shoes together. I got some Ed Hardy sneakers. I guess I like my clothes to have tattoos, but not myself. Commitment issues? Maybe. Poser? Perhaps. But that's not what this post is about.

My dahlia results were mixed. About half the plants are not blooming yet and some may not bloom this year. Late rains, little sun, blah blah. But, some of them are doing their dahlia thing and even a few flowers make an incredible bouquet. I'm sold. Plus, they have no scent or pollen to speak of so I can have them in the house!! (A has mega pollen allergies) Here's one that just kinda boggles me:





At the dahlia farm I came up with about 16 absolute favorites. Now I just need a bigger yard...

Comments

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Dude! Mutant giant Dahlia!

[botias.livejournal.com]

Plants will do so much in return for so little, just slavish care and attention for their entire lives.

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday!

[botias.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *eats virtual cake*

[silverusagi]

Damn, that's a huge and gorgeous flower.

[botias.livejournal.com]

I agree on both counts. *stares*

[copykween.livejournal.com]

Hee! That's awesome. Makes me wanna just shove my face into it. :)

Aaaand that sounded way less dirty when I first typed it.

[botias.livejournal.com]

I had to try it. I'm afraid I was rebuffed. The petals in the center are actually quite stiff and held me at nose length. Well, fine!

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's some dahlia!

I guess I like my clothes to have tattoos, but not myself. Commitment issues?

LOL! I actually own a pair of ed hardy sneakers too. Mine were on sale (which is why I own them) and have a geisha lady. And I totally have commitment issues re: tattoos!

[botias.livejournal.com]

Isn't it though? And I didn't have to do anything special except some (non-poison) slug bait while the plant was still small.

Sounds cool. :) I only own some because they were on sale--and because my momma paid for them. ;) Mine have skulls and flowers, and skulls with fairy wings.

[louise39.livejournal.com]

Super color and super size!!

[botias.livejournal.com]

It's pretty crazy!

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

That's a really, really big flower head. Best Friend is into dahlias and I was showing her this catalog (http://www.oldhousegardens.com/search_display.aspx?Text=dahlias) from a firm in Ann Arbor.

[botias.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thanks for the link. Of course I see a few varieties I want, and I like the heirloom glads too.

[timeofchange.livejournal.com]

That's gorgeous!

BTW, I happened to be trolling the Web for Spuffy, as one does on a beautiful Labor Day, and I came across somebody's rec for Persephone. So I reread it. God, what a great story. It totally holds together, even unfinished, and is a joy to reread. Just wanted to let you know.

[botias.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks! I'm so glad it's brought people pleasure, and Spuffy!

[prophecygirrl.livejournal.com]

That's a stunner, for sure. I've been on the fence about dahlias, I'm not sure why! But I will have to try some next year now.

I love the idea of you frolicking in a flower meadow on your birthday!

[botias.livejournal.com]

I get the idea that some gardeners find dahlias to be overblown, unnatural, plebian. I gardened for over a decade barely knowing they existed. But then I saw a bouquet with some like the one pictured and was instantly bit by the dahlia bug. Dahlias are like the rest of my garden in that they can thrive without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, at least in my area/climate.