We’ve gotten a cold snap (38 F at night) and my dahlias I planted that are about 8 inches tall have started developing buds already when the plants are meant to be 4ft tall through this summer. Should I pinch the buds to encourage the plants to grow to their normal height? Or has the days of cold weather stunted their height/growth permanently?
I received some rooted cuttings yesterday and they seemed healthy. I potted them into 4in containers per the sellers instructions and kept them in a room indoors (70F) that’s warm but is low light (none of my windows are great). It’s been cool (45-50F) and dreary outside so I thought maybe warmth is more important than sunlight to get them established? However I checked on them today and they seem to be declining in health with curled leaves into itself and even a large brown spot on half of one leaf (rot?). How do I give them better conditions to survive this stage? They were expensive varieties and I overestimated my ability to successfully care for rooted cuttings…please help!