Your Dahlias: do you have a VIRUS? 

Thanks for commenting Jacqui.

Thanks again Ken. Yes the appearance now has become less specific, but earlier on the pattern included mosaics and chlorotic spots more typical of a virus.

Thanks Owen, yes that's good advice as newly bought stock can bring in a virus.

Thanks Adrienne, I can see you are a keen dahlia grower. WEJ tubers seem easy to get hold oh here in the UK, but I am not sure yet if I will risk growing them again. The virus seemed specific to this variety so fingers crossed no more plants will be affected. Frost not due this week here, but can't be far away! Kind regards, Peter

Thanks Yesid

Hi Andrea, thanks for your question. Well yes, it is a worry but my experience is that viruses tend to limit themselves to a single variety, so the worst outcome is a loss of all plants of that variety, numbers were small otherwise yes I would have taken much speedier action. I hope yours are and remain virus free.

Hi Steven thanks for your question (I noticed you posted the same question against two videos so I will post the same answer in both.) It is not usual to change to soil after removing a plant with a virus, but you not place the same variety back into that soil. Dahlia viruses tend to be limited to one variety only (although it's not impossible to spread to others) . If it affects one plant only, then remove that plant immediately and burn or dispose and sterilize all instruments used. Carefully monitor nearby plants for the remainder of the season for similar symptoms and be ready to act quickly. Viruses are incurable but can be managed in this way to limit their damage. Hope this helps

Hi Thanks for your question. Most growers would advise that, yes. I hope things work out for you.

Hi Valkyreve, thanks for your comment. Deformed leaves can be due to many causes so you should look for other signs such as leaf colour change or signs of infestation. I would say nutrient deficiency is low down on the list of possibilities from experience.

@@MoorfieldFarmFlowers Oh.. now I'm scared again :p They seem green enough, no yellowing and apart from grasshoppers and cabbage moth caterpillar thingies, no other bugs.

I wish I could help more. other options are: water deprivation, physical damage (heat or cold) and herbicide contamination.

@@MoorfieldFarmFlowers Thanks so much for replying with your advice. Much appreciated :)

You're welcome :)

Hi thanks for your question. We replant in the same beds each year, although we rotate the varieties in any one spot. In instances of disease such as Virus or Gall, it is normal practice to avoid using the same spot, or attempt to replace the soil. Hope you have a great season.

Hi Maria thanks for commenting, I sympathize with you they can make a horrible mess of petals. The only method of control I would use is the upside down plant pot and straw on poles to reduce numbers.