09/11/2026
🚨 ATTENTION DAHLIA GROWERS: I NEED YOUR CRIME SCENES. 🚨
On Saturday, September 26, Thanksgiving Point has once again lost their minds and decided it was a good idea to give me a microphone.
I’ll be speaking at the Autumn Bloom Showcase along with the Amazing Ann Bailey of Bailey’s Blooms and the Magnificent Melanie Stock from The One and Only True Blue Utah School — Utah State University. 💙🤘
My class is at 11:00 AM, and I’ve titled it:
🔎🌸 CSI: DAHLIA DIVISION 🌸🔎
Integrated Pest Management for Dahlias
Basically, we’re investigating all the little jerks that spend the summer eating, sucking, chewing, stippling, spotting, mildewing and otherwise vandalizing our dahlias.
But I need your help.
I’m putting the presentation together now, and I don’t want to spend 45 minutes telling you things you could’ve Googled in the parking lot. I want this to be USEFUL.
So…what’s your biggest dahlia nemesis?
Thrips? Spider mites? Aphids? Leafhoppers? Grasshoppers? Earwigs? Slugs? Powdery mildew? Four-lined plant bugs? Something else that crawled directly out of Satan’s garden?
More importantly: What do you actually want to know how to DO about it?
We’ll cover identifying the culprit, recognizing damage, knowing when to intervene, and actual solutions—mechanical/cultural controls, beneficial insects, organic products and conventional pesticides.
And yes, actual product names and where to find them. Not just “apply an appropriate control” and good luck figuring out what the heck that means.
👇 What problem drives you nuts?
👇 What have you tried that DIDN’T work?
👇 What do you wish someone would explain in normal human language?
Pictures of dahlia crime scenes are HIGHLY encouraged! If I use yours in the presentation, I’ll give you credit. Show me your horrors. 🕵️♂️🌸
Ann speaks at 9:00, Melanie at 10:00, and CSI: Dahlia Division at 11:00.
I promise to solve at least one murder.
Hopefully a spider mite.
https://thanksgivingpoint.org/events/autumn-bloom-showcase/
