u/PeppermintWindFarm — reddlx

Couple questions and ID

I am having major back surgery in 3 weeks and it is shaping up to be an unusually warm October up here in the Up North, Minnesota. Normally stuff would freeze by mid October and I pull bulbs & tubers out soon after, letting them cure etc.

Im going to have to just cut my dahlias down while they’re still growing in order to get everything put away for winter. I have always understood that the cold killing the foliage signals the tuber to prepare for wintering. Will that process be affected if I don’t wait for a killing frost?

Any tips for getting it done correctly?

Also, I’ve checked my records and I can’t figure out who this dahlia is! I did get a few freebies thrown in here or there but they were identified with names - nothing fits this dark pinky, streaked looking dahlia with funny curled petals in between the straight petals - very large! It was a very late bloomer, it grew dense, tall foliage but no buds till recently.

u/PeppermintWindFarm — 10 days ago

▲ 3 r/dahlias

Searched a lot to find something to explain this . . .

I have one dahlia out of several dozen throwing out deformed foliage. it is very thickened, stunted and weird. It cannot be herbicide, there is none used anywhere close enough and all surrounding plants are fine. This is in its own pot, was growing normally. May be a coincidence but it seems like it started going wonky after I pinched. I’m pretty sure I pinched with fingers, but possible a nipper. I am pretty good about cleaning between plants . . . but then no other dahlia is growing wonky like this.

Any ideas? I did search here several times and scrolled through lots of dahlia pages show viruses and can’t quite find anything similar

u/PeppermintWindFarm — 2 months ago

▲ 5 r/SpinalStenosis

How much to blame on bilateral severe stenosis, spondylolisthesis?

I’ve been in constant pain for a year- had an acute episode after Mother’s Day weekend last year- spent the weekend doing landscaping, cutting tree branches etc etc and couldn’t move the day after. I thought it was my back “going out” which has happened over the years but the pain got worse instead of better.

Finally got some answers in August, referral to a good Ortho practice, had anMRI= severe bilateral stenosis L4-L5, same L5-S1, spondylolisthesis, disc degeneration, one veterbrae degenerative… just what I can recall without pulling up the results.

i have muscle spasms often during the day- low back, thigh muscles. The absolute unbearable pain eased up some last October - not sure why but I can maintain my daily routine if I never bend, lift or carry heavy things. basically all I can do is walk, stand and do kitchen work, etc. pain is constant but only intolerable if I do too much. I’ve tried everything- injections, PT, nsaids, muscle relaxer … a few “unapproved therapies,” but this is it I think until I choose surgery.

Lately I’ve noticed by midday I’m just done. I’m tired, feel like I’m hauling a huge weight around and just feel like gravity is pushing me flat.

I’m normally pretty busy, physical and mental- managing a farm, raising a teen granddaughter, cook and bake mostly from scratch. I’ve kept up most during this last year but lately it’s all becoming too much. I have to be very careful about how I move but I’m afraid to stop moving as that seems to be the beginning of the end- I’m in my 60’s.

There are so many things Im sure I can blame on the spinal nerves- have some annoying bladder complications, stupid muscle cramps in the middle of just about anything- usually movement.The baseline low back pain is pretty consistent. It now feels like other muscles higher on my back, rib cage etc are just starting to ache earlier each day. Only recently I’ve started to feel mentally exhausted, I had a particularly busy day recently and for more than 24 hours I just didn’t want to get off the couch! There’s plenty needing done - spring in the frozen north here (US), I’ve got dahlia‘s potted up for transplanting , all of last years canna needing planted, haven’t touched the leaves and junk in flower beds.

Do others find they reach a point where nothing’s fun anymore? Everything’s a slog and it’s starting to affect me mentally.

Any tips? advice?

reddit.com

u/PeppermintWindFarm — 5 months ago