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Dahlias from seed

KmehKmeh Posts: 173
in Plants
I grew a number of dahlias from seed last year. Foliage came back this summer  but I've had pretty much zero flowers. Is this normal from seeds?

I also have a few grown from bulbs and these also have been disappointing compared to what they have yielded  (flower wise) the previous year. The foliage is also not as prolific. What could I have done wrong. The winter was harsh, we mulched with bark to.protect them. 

Any thoughts appreciated?

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I have had success growing from seed. The first year I lined them out in the veg patch, picked the best, and then lifted them for the winter, and started the tubers off in pots in the greenhouse.. I never have much success leaving them in the ground, they start to grow too late, and then the slugs graze them down. Some that were left in last year, I discovered as I planted out substantial plants  in June. The ones left in the ground had barely an inch of growth. I potted them up, they have grown in the pots, but not flowered yet.  I think if you can lift them and pot them up in a little heat in March to get them started you will have better flowering.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I sometimes find the same.
    I grow Bishops Children from seed most years and they do well.
    The following year, most survive the winter and some perform really well while others seem to do very little. I've no idea why so I sow new seed every year and reluctantly chuck last year's tubers.
    This year for some reason about 95% of the flowers are red with only a few oranges.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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