Where to buy Dahlia Tubers

[lottielady]

Hi I would like to try and grow some Dahlias this year from Tubers can anyone recommend any online shops that stock a good selection.

[bramble]

Hi Lottiedolly, you could always grow them from seed this year and then save the tubers next year. Its a far cheaper way of starting out.

[Two_Sheds]

Are you looking for something special? If not, then try Wilkos

[sarraceniac]

Hi Lottiedolly, you could always grow them from seed this year and then save the tubers next year. Its a far cheaper way of starting out.

I'm trying some Bishop of Llandaff this year from seed. Love the dark foliage and the hundreds of flowers. Got any tips Bramble? It's my first efforts at dahlia from seed.

[Two_Sheds]

I grew Bishop's Children from seed last year (I didn't think you could do The Bishop itself from seed? only cuttings?)
Anyway, very easy, no effort needed, they grew themselves.
Trouble was, they all turned out yellow, orange or pink flowered. Not a dark red amongst them

[sarraceniac]

Don't know TS. Bishop's Children are hybrids of Llandaff I think. If they all germinate I will send you some. If only a couple grow then I'll post you a photo. If none then I will cry.

[sarraceniac]

You had me worried there TS so I did a bit of Googling. Loads of companies sell B. of Llandaff as seed including Chiltern so I reckon I am OK there. BBC plant finder say it is 'experienced' skill level though. Can't see why. I've had some from tubers before with no problems and always take precautions against damping off when planting any seed. They could mean that like someone not too far removed from my chair may forget to lift them for the winter. (Slopes off to buy a diary).

[Two_Sheds]

I don't lift for the winter. It's too much faff, and I have nowhere to store them.

[Two_Sheds]

You had me worried there TS so I did a bit of Googling. Loads of companies sell B. of Llandaff as seed including Chiltern

Yes, I read the Chiltern description. Is it a bit ambiguous? "fiery intense bright red blooms... that is, however, the flower colour of the parent ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ plant – the colour of its offspring will be variable and several different ones will appear in the seedlings including one particularly attractive, warm amber; all will have the desirable dark foliage of the parent"

To me, that reads that the seed isn't Bishop, but his children. But then why list Bishop's Children seed separately?

Confused dot com

[sarraceniac]

Yes TS. It is confusing. I've had a further look round dahlia sites and it looks like any seed taken from a Bishop of Llandaff can legally be sold as Bishop of Llandaff even though it may not have bred true. That doesn't mean that the pollinating partner is necessarily a different variety, it just may not breed true. So 10 seeds (say) may give 10 slightly different plants. A few may be genuine B. of L. but some may be pink or even orange. Their seeds have to be sold as Bishop's Children some of which are sold as Bishops of other places, even of York and Canterbury, who of course have Archbishops not Bishops. Help!! I think I'll buy a couple of corms as insurance if I can trust a supplier.

[tugboat]

Hi I would like to try and grow some Dahlias this year from Tubers can anyone recommend any online shops that stock a good selection.

check out the national dahlia collection, you can see most and the cuttings they send are excellent, i grow the dinner plate size, and the choice is amazing

[tugboat]

oh yes forgot to say , i got cuttings of the cuttings too,

[bramble]

Sarraceniac, what TS says is true. I find them very easy to germinate. I cover the seeds lightly with Vermiculite. I don't lift the tuber either just cover them over with a mound of soil. I don't have Bishop of Llandaff or I would gladly let you have some seed
You may get some very interesting ones from your seeds which is why I like to start mine that way. Also be aware the bees may cross pollinate your flowers if you are trying to keep them pure bred. Good luck whatever you decide.

[kentvegplot]

Just got carried away buying a few tubers at local GC. Good sized tubers, and quite an interesting selection, £1.99 each.....at that price, I don't feel so bad about any losses from the winter.

Recommend 'After Eight' - bronze foliage, white flowers, went on brilliantly until the frost caught it.

[sarraceniac]

check out the national dahlia collection, you can see most and the cuttings they send are excellent, i grow the dinner plate size, and the choice is amazing

Thanks for posting that tugboat. I didn't realise that they did mail order. Unfortunately they have over 1,500 varieties so I'm going to be broke (again).

Just caught your post with Mailwasher whilst writing this Bramble. I shall certainly continue growing the seed and see what I get but Lady S. wants at least one pure B of L, which of course I can guarantee from cutting. As long as I can get one to strike.