Events
The Dahlia Society of Ohio hosts a number of events - meetings, sales, workshops, training, social events, shows and more throughout the year. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.
Bouquet Workshop
Join us for a fun and instructive class on creating beautiful bouquets.
Sandy Varelman will be our instructor, and Kat Amrhein will be hosting at her farm in Middlefield on 9/13 from 10-12:30.
Jess will also be doing a demo on how to create a Dahlia Market Bunch, if you're interested in participating in that category for the Petitti's show.
Bring your snips and some dahlias. Also bring a chair if you prefer not to stand.
Class fee: $20.
This event has sold out every year! Registration available soon.
Choose “SHOP” in the main menu to register.
DSO Dahlia Show (Summit Mall)
The 94th DSO Dahlia Show will be held at Summit Mall in Akron OH, September 26-28, 2025.
Geauga County Fair
Join us at the Geauga County Fair. Excellent opportunity to exhibit whether you are a newbie or experienced exhibitor.
Floral Design Workshop
Get Creative with Dahlias: Lazy River Design Workshop
Curious about the art of floral design using stunning dahlias? Join us for a hands-on afternoon of creativity and inspiration, Sunday, August 17, 2 PM.
Sharon Swaney will kick things off by sharing her insider tips on preparing floral exhibits for the Summit Mall and Petitti’s Shows - including rules, categories, and what judges really look for. Then, you’ll roll up your sleeves and craft your own line/water design inspired by the theme "Lazy River."
Past Event - Cuyahoga County Fair
Join us for the first show of the season. Great opportunity for first time exhibitors or to get warmed up for the show season.
Past Event - Annual Picnic
Save the date! Our annual picnic with a workshop follow will be held on July 19, at noon, at the Moebius Nature Center.
Past Event - June Meeting - On your Mark! Get Set! GO! Exhibit at a DSO Show
Never considered exhibiting at a DSO show—or just starting to think about it? Already an exhibitor but wondering if you’re missing something? Or maybe you're a show veteran ready to share your insights?
Whatever your experience level, the June DSO meeting is for you! Join us on June 20 via Zoom for a lively and informative session covering everything you ever wanted to know about exhibiting—and probably a few things you didn’t even realize you needed to know.
Past Event - Member Only Plant Sale - PICK-UP
Pick up your plants on Sunday May 18, from 1 - 3pm at Willoway Nursery, 4740 Center Rd (Rt 83) in Avon.
Past Event - May Meeting - Clean Stock
This season marks Janell's third attempt at a virus-free dahlia field in west-central Ohio. Learn what advantages growing clean stock have yielded, and why she has kept going with the costly and fraught pursuit. She will share methods to reduce virus transmission, her sources of clean stock, strategies for lowering virus testing costs, and her process and the results of her attempts.
Janell is a member of the Cincinnati Dahlia Society and DSO, an ADS candidate judge, and the owner of the Pollinator Patch.
Past Event - Member Only Tuber Sale - ONLINE
The very successful sale is now closed.
Don’t forget to pick up your tubers at Petitti’s in Oakwood, on Saturday April 26 from 10 am - 1 pm. WE DO NOT SHIP.
Some extra tubers will be for sale at pickup.
Past Event - April 2025 Meeting
Christine Tareen, from Misfit Dahlias, will be speaking on how to wake up your tubers.
If you’re new to dahlias, this is a great talk for you to get your season started.
If you are an experienced grower please join the conversation!
Past Event - Meeting - How to Achieve the Best Possible Soil for Growing Dahlias
Dr. Keith Berven
How to Achieve the Best Possible Soil for Growing Dahlias
Soil Science - soil structure (mineral and organic components), plant nutrients (macro and micro; cations and anions), Cation-Exchange Capacity), and how plants take up nutrients.
Soil Parameters - included in a typical soil test including: a description of the soil, organic matter content (%), soil pH, soil CEC, percent exchangeable bases (potassium, magnesium and calcium) and soil nutrient levels (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium).
Optimum Levels for growing dahlias
Dr. Berven, PhD is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Oakland University, Detroit MI. Keith is also an avid dahlia grower and on the board of the Midwest Dahlia Conference.
Past Event - First 2025 Meeting
Setting up an Irrigation System. Zoom.
Casey Reischl is a member of the Monterey Bay Dahlia Society in California. he has cultivated a wide range of plants for nearly 20 years. He says his irrigation experience comes from those years of trial and error, mistakes, and success, and it is adaptable to home gardeners and commercial-scale growers.
Casey will be speaking on the basics of drip irrigation, planning, and designing a system, components of a drip system, and soil types. He will also share resources that he wishes were available when setting up his first system.
Past Event - Members' Holiday Party
Members’ Holiday Party. December 7th. See your email for details. You must RSVP to attend.
Past Event - November Meeting
Galena Berkompas will be our speaker.
Gaelena lives in Washington State. She currently grows 5000 plants, and over 500 varieties
Her goal is to grow and send out the healthiest dahlias that she possibly can and help find and propagate rarer varieties so that more people can experience their beauty.
She’s excited to share with us more about how she grows and nurtures beautiful dahlias.
Past Event - Tuber Digging/Separating Workshop
This year Pat Spicuzza will be hosting our workshop on October 19th at 10:00 am at his house in Chagrin Falls.
Pat will walk you through how to dig, wash, separate and store your tubers. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
This gathering will be in place of our October meeting.
Past Event - DSO Photo Contest - Submittal Phase
The categories for this year are:
Portrait
Macro
Enhanced (digitally)
Gardens
Shows
Dahlias with Critters and People
All photos dahlia-centric.
October 14-24, email your entries
Voting will be Nov 1-8
Winners announced at the DSO Meeting Nov 15 and we will vote for Best in Show.
View event and see your emails for more details