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Dahlia Cuttings

DispondedDisponded Posts: 43
in Plants

Hi all

I have been growing my Dahlia tubers in shallow trays of light compost in the greenhouse, with a view to take cuttings from them before planting them out.

Some of the tubers have multiple shoots growing and should give quite a few cuttings from them.

My question concerns the tubers with only one shoot of growth. Will I in any way harm the tuber by removing the only shoot of growth, or will removing the shoot stimulate the tuber into growing more?

Or should I leave the tubers with only one shoot alone and just plant them out to grow on this year.

Thanks.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,058

    I'd limit myself to taking cuttings from the tubers with multiple shoots and would grow on the ones with only one shoot in the hopes of building up vigour to get more shoots next year.   

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DispondedDisponded Posts: 43

    Thanks Obelixx

    I figured I should leave the single shoot ones to grow on but I just wanted another opinion. I just haven't taken Dahlia cuttings before and am a bit cautious this being the first time.

    Thanks

  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811

    If you take the cutting just above the first pair of leaves leaving a stub on the tuber the tuber usually produces two shoots at that point but naturally it's a gamble. 

    keep any pots of cuttings in a bright but not hotspot inside a plastic bag. When rooted don't let them stand in really wet compost as they rot easily. 

    Don't forget you can divide tubers with multiple shoots before you plant them out.

  • DispondedDisponded Posts: 43

    Thanks Bilje

    I took my cuttings this evening and potted them up in 3" pots with plastic bags over the top. I will see how it goes and maybe I will have 6 new plants growing happily soon.

    Thanks

  • cody smithcody smith Posts: 81

    image

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    I'm growprof allot this year about 300 and I trace cuttings into horticultur sand and it works they root very well it takes a few weeks to grow roots but dont grow up till yo put them in compost that's how I do it  

  • DispondedDisponded Posts: 43

    Bump. image

    Well I now have 7 happy plants in pots and there are signs of roots, at the holes on the bottom of the pots, on 2 of them.

    What should I do with them now this year?

    Should I leave them in the pots to fully root in the greenhouse and grow bigger?

    Or should I be doing something else with them this year?

    Thanks..image

     

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,058

    Once roots start showing at the bottom you need to pot them into bigger pots so they get fresh nutrients and can grow on or else plant them out in your borders.  If yu're lucky, they'll get big enough to have formed tubers by the first frosts and can be stored over winter in the usual way.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DispondedDisponded Posts: 43

    Thanks obelixx

    I will pot them up then when they are full rooted and nurse them along this year for planting out next year.

    I am well chuffed they all survived. Another first, after successfully scaling lilly bulbs over the winter and having them now growing in pots.

    Every day is a school day...image

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