Dahlia propagation

[Duronal]

I'm not sure if it was a fluke or something else but i took a stem cutting from one of my dahlias (cut just below a node from a side shoot approx 4inches long, pinched out the flower tip) potted it up kept it warm and moist, it's now growing away merrily on my window sill at home and has produced a flower.

According to a local nursery man if you can get them to take and survive the winter then it's a great way to increase your stock.

Enjoy

D

[vicky]

That's quite a good way to propage dahlias but normally you do it in the spring when the shoots first grow. I've never thought to try it this time of year!

[jackie j]

My sister did this last spring, she took some tubers and laid them in a seed tray with some compost, let the shoots grow then cut them off and pot up to five in one small pot, put in a plastic bag and tie the bag. when they have taken put them in the garden after the frosts have finished. If you already have tubers in the garden you dont have to dig them up in the winter cut them back to just above ground level, cover with 8- 10 inches of well draining compost.
If you do want to dig them up, cut down to just above ground level, lift with fork, attach a label remove as much soil as possible. Place tubers upside down to drain from stem in a frost free room, garage, greenhouse or shed. When tuber has dried out clean off remainder of soil, trim off any damaged tuber roots, store in dry peat, straw, or in open slatted trays or baskets, must be frost free but not too hot or tubers will shrivel, check occasionally to see if tubers are in good order and ready for planting out the following year.