Where are the petunias planted - in a pot on the ground, hanging basket, window box, or in the ground itself? Ditto for the dahlia....

Hi Bamboo thanks for getting in touch. As I said they're trailing petunia, so in a hanging basket. Incidently I have 2 and both are affected.

The dahlias in the border and is about 40" tall at present.. Have just tried another trick I was told and that's to smear the bottom of the stems with petroleum jelly! Willing to try anything.

Photo of the petunias would be very helpful, sounds like possible trouble at the root or a fungal problem, did you use fresh potting compost in the basket when you planted up?
As for the dahlia, earwigs usually damage the flowers, not the foliage, and its not clear to me what the damage is that you're seeing - if its the foliage, it might be slug and snail damage.

How do I add you as friend? I seem to have lost the place!

click on the avatar of the person you want to friend then there is the option to friend them :o)

on here its add to favourites. :o)

Thanks Bamboo for your comments. I'll try to post photos but bit pushed for time today. Yes I did use fresh compost BUT I used cheap supermarket stuff. BIG mistake I thnk as it seems to have turned to dust. Your right of course about the dahlia I forgot that earwigs usually go for the flowers. As I said in my original post I have taken precautions against slugs but I think I can hear them laughing at me as nothing seems to stop them. Whoever manages to discover a permanent solution must surely make a fortune.

I have a hanging basket out front, the back part of which is in a rain shadow. The trailing petunias in that part are fine (trailing, lovely unmarked flowers), but those in the rest of the basket look just as you've described, Thecat. It must be down to the very heavy rains we've recently experienced, as it's the only thing that makes sense, in my case at least. The last three days have been dry, and the poor old petunias at the front of the basket appear to be recovering now.

Thanx for your comments Rosierose. As I write the rain is dancing down, if we ever get a dry day again perhaps mine may recover......fingers crossed.

Hi Bamboo, have updated question with photos as requested
Regards, Thecat

Does look like something's nibbled the petals on the petunia, but most of the trouble is probably down to the weather.

Hi Bamboo, yeah probably right about the awful weather. Going on hols next week and might try something I did a couple of years ago when my baskets were struggling then. I cut them all back taking off every flower in the process. My neighbour kept them watered for me and when we returned they were back in flower and eventually recovered really well.

Worth a try, if they look awful...