dahlia cuttings?

Hi, was wondering if you can take cuttings from dahlias? Any one any tips? Or if not how can you propagate them with out having to continually buy bulbs?

 

hi persephony
you dont say if you have any dahlia tubers if you do start them off in a pot of compost,every shoot that comes up from the tuber can be cut to a seperate plant with its part of the tuber,dahlias should be taken up once the frosts have blackened the tops,dried and kept frost free until about this time next year,however i find if you can plant them deeply in a frost free area of your garden mulch well to protect them from some of the cold you have half a chance they will come up next year

 

Hi, thanks Pam
Yes i have 1 arabian night and one purple gem. Started them in pots a couple of weeks ago, i know it's bit early but it said on the packet to plant as soon as you bought them and it has been far too cold to plant them outside. The Arabian night is just sprouting about an inch but the purple gem is not showing yet.
How exactly do you go about taking the cuttings? Do you wait til the end of the season or take them as they spring up? Would you use rooting powder? I have never taken cuttings before.
Thanks

 

Thanks Persephony and Pamsdish This is what GC is all about. I have played at gardening for many years and been serious for a few years. My old Dad was a professional head gardener at the end of his 40+ year career.

But I have never grown dahlias, I think because my mother was scared of earwigs which they are famous for attracting. I was just thinking of asking for advice when, bingo, it appears and from new members (but clearly not new gardeners). Once again thanks.

 

when the new shoots appear in a week or so each one that comes up should be on a seperate "finger" of the tuber,if you are lucky and get several shoots ,cut each into a seperate plant and away you go "fingers crossed"

 

p.s. you cant plant out until late may when all danger of frost has gone,so thats the time to cut them into seperate plants,each plant will grow new tubers during the summer

 

I have planted mine from seed this year
and they are looking real good,ready for transplanting