Forum home› The potting shed
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

How To Take Early Dahlia Cuttings.

Martin99Martin99 Posts: 11
in The potting shed

Hi,

I'm new to the world of gardening and Dahlias, but I recently visited Hever Castle and was blown away by their amazing display so really want to give them a go!

I've bought some tubers and been looking on-line for a step-by-step guide on the best way to take cuttings when these are started off early using a heated matt. 

I'll be planting the mother-tubers properly when the time is right, but for this project would it be okay to use multipurpose compost to start the tubers off in the heated tray? Also, some people take Basal Cuttings including a slither of the tuber, while others take Nodal Cuttings. Are the chances of a healthy, vigorous cutting and young plant better with one than the other, or is it just personal choice?

Please excuse my ignorance of horticultural matters, I am new, so your help and advice will be appreciated.

Thank you.       

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    I have just bought a whole bunch of dahlia tubers too with plans to increase the stock from basal cuttings.  I'm a novice at this too so can't advise except to say that I would use John Innes no 2 or 3 to start off the tubers as they need to be moist but well-drained and multi-purpose has a tendency to clag.

    The RHS offers this info on dahlias and propagation - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=592 

    The GW site offers this advice - http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-basal-cuttings-from-dahlias/ with pics and Carol Klein offers this advice in her page in the Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3300004/Back-to-basals-its-easier-than-you-think.html 

    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
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153

    I'm plannng on doing the same when my dahlias arrive too, YouTube have some good videos showing you how to do this as does Sarah Raven. I believe the cuttings take better  if you cut them while the stems are still solid about 4 inches or so. Cuttings with hollow stems don't always grow on. From all the info that I've been looking at, both methods of taking cuttings work, the quality of the cutting and what you plant it in need to be good. Good luck to us all.

    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • Martin99Martin99 Posts: 11

    Thank you Obelixx, Bright star and aym280 for your quick response and helpful advice. I'll have look at the links and sites you've mentioned.

    Good luck to you all with your gardening projects.  

Sign In or Register to comment.