Unlike other dahlia's I grow D. imperialis does not appear to go dormant with respect to day length, it wants to grow all year. Only extreme cold will stop it. The canes are not annual, growth begins from the existing canes in the Spring. It is also apparently immune to powdery mildew - another trait it could pass on... Chad (Zone 9) -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Diane Whitehead Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 3:23 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: Re: [pbs] Dahlia imperialis I just went out on my greenhouse balcony to see how mine is doing. It's still growing new leaves - no buds in view. This is the first time I've grown it, so I don't know what to expect. It is almost 300 cm tall (about 10 feet) but still has 100 cm or so of room before it touches the glass. Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada cool mediterranean climate moderate dry summers, moderate rainy winters 68 cm rain (27 in) PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this electronic mail message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this message in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender by telephone or e-mail (as shown above) immediately and destroy any and all copies of this message in your possession (whether hard copies or electronically stored copies).