Dahlia Seeds

Hi,

I am very new to gardening, but one of my most fav of flowers have always been Dahlias. I have purchased a few tubers, but if anyone had an odd couple of seeds I could also try it would be really appreciated. I am more than happy to cover any postage costs etc.

Thank You

 

Send me your address and I will send you some of my Dahlie seeds Iwill put in my bedding dahlia seeds so you can try Colin

 

If anyone else would like some bedding dahlia seeds just shout :]

 

Nathan - I am interested in the concept of Dahlia seeds. My garden is so full and I already have committed myself to so many seeds that I can't take you up on your kind offer of the seeds themselves.

But I am interested in knowing how Dahlias from seed compare with Dahlias from tubers. Is is true that, in their first year, Dahlias will grow to full size and flower? And how much longer do they take to flower than ones from tubers. And does this happen with all Dahlias, or is it just some that grow that quick from seed?

And at the end of the season do you keep the tubers or grow more from seed - and why?

 

Dahlias are really easy from seed,get them going in the grenhouse fairly early. they are just as good as from tubers, but can be a mixed bunch of clours and form, but for me that's part of the fun

There's a good strain called "the Bishops Children" which come from the Bishop of LLandaff, (try www.chilternseeds.co.uk) They (mostly) have the same dark folliage, and a range of coloured flowers, which are great for cutting.

It's a cheap and easy way to get lots of Dalias, you could lift them all in the Autumn, or just your favourite ones, or leave them all in the ground, whith a deep mulch for prorection, and hope they get through the winter.

 

Just to correct a type Quercus:

www.chilternseedS.co.uk

 

Ooops... Thanks Kristen... i've changed it!

 

and I can't spell typO :(

 

Thanks Quercus. Thats interesting. The real problem that I can't get my mind round is how a Dahlia grows as fast from seed as from a tuber which, I would have thought, would have given it a head start.

By contrast I am growing a range of Alliums, but from seed they take quite a while to build the bulb necessary for flowering.

I haven't ordered my seeds from Chilterns yet - but I will order a few if only to continue to get their splendid catalogue.

 

I agree with quercus pete on the lifting of dahlias a lot of people lift the tubers up at the end of the season but wait until the frost has blakened the foliage I have always left mine in the ground with a bit of mulch around
This year we have had a bitter frost so I will be hoping my cactus flower ones will be ok

 

"And at the end of the season do you keep the tubers or grow more from seed - and why?"

The tubers will be "true" and the flowers the same as the previous year, whereas the seed could be anything (might be better of course!)

You can also put the tubers in a tray of compost and start them off in the Spring, and then take cuttings as the shoots appear - which can be handy to bulk-up a variety that you want more of.

But there is also some cigarette in lifting, storing and nurturing the tubers. My mother used to have hundreds, and went through all the hassle each year (I'm not sure its a hassle, as such, but I expect you know what I mean), but we had huge vases of fantastically outrageous flowers in the house through the Summer, so if nothing else it was definitely a talking point!

 

I take your point about last years tubers will be true. And being in the north, I always lift my tubers. I suspect that part of the risk is from winter wet rather than just winter cold.

But the real question was, is the tuber superior to seed or not. Do you get the same flowering period from seed as you do from a tuber. I could understand someone growing from seed in the first year for speed and cheapness, but might they then say that next year I will use the tubers as I expect them to give bigger, stronger, longer flowering plants than seed grown ones.

 

I don't know for sure - but my instinct is that Tubers will give bigger plants. I expect you can get them going earlier (i.e. tubers will get cracking quickly, seedlings obviously start out pretty weedy!)

My Mother bought Dahlia Tubers from some specialist nursery (and my recollection as a kid was that they were treasured, and thus presumably cost quite a lot). Until this thread I wasn't aware that growing Dahlias from seed [in a single season] was an option. So I can see myself becoming a Dahlia fanatic now, and all for a couple of quids' seed packets

 

I know this thread started of as seeds for Dahlias. Just thought I would let you know that the pound shop is selling dahlia tubers for a £1 (obviously) Ive bought about 5 different varieties. Looking forwards to planting later on to see results. 02

 

Wow that sound a really great price! But whats the pound shop? is that its real name?