Starting small
You don’t need a lot of space or plants to get up and running growing dahlias
When people think about growing dahlias in a more dedicated way, they’re often put off by the amount of equipment and space it would take to produce their own plants. I’d class myself as a medium to large grower. I grow around 350 to 400 plants on my allotment and produce in excess of 600 plants to achieve this. Over the years I’ve never had a greenhouse larger than 2.4x1.8m (8x6ft). If you’re planning to grow up to 100 plants then this can be achieved on a sunny windowsill, or even a porch.
If you buy packet tubers of dahlias from the garden centre (or mail order) for your summer displays you’re most likely to be buying what we
A grower for 25 years, in 2012 Dave won National Individual Champion awards at each of the English (Shepton Mallet), Welsh and Sco ish National Dahlia Society competitions, the first time this has ever been accomplished. He’s very busy on YouTube, where you’ll find dozens of videos on how to grow dahlias.
as use get four one rooted
Dave Gillam
light levels four weeks three taking cuttings from pot tubers, you’ll
I’ll take about 10 cu ings from a pot tuber to limit the numbers you take, otherwise the tuber will run out of energy. I normally limit myself to 10 cuttings from a pot tuber.
Control vigour
Rootstocks can control vigour, allowing you to grow trees in a smaller space than if grown on their own roots.
Boost vigour
A rootstock can also strengthen a plant that would normally grow weakly on its own root systems.
Faster to fruit
For a fruiting plant, grafting onto a rootstock can allow fruit to be produced faster than on its own roots.
Easier to propagate
Some plants are difficult to propagate from seed or cuttings and may not come true to type from them.