SAVE MONEY, GROW DAHLIAS FROM SEED
Six fantastic dahlias you can grow without costly tubers
LIKE most of us, you’ve probably enjoyed the dazzling flowers and impressive productivity of dahlias; but have you ever tried growing them from seed? Usually, we start dahlias off from tubers, and if you’re only planning to grow one or two, or if you’re very particular about the colour and style you want, then doing so makes perfect sense as results are guaranteed.
Later, in May or June – or even July – you may well be tempted to pick up some dahlias as plants in bud or in flower from the garden centre. However, this is definitely the most expensive way to grow them, and the range is likely to be rather limited.
Growing from seed, on the other hand, is very cheap. You can buy a packet of 40 dahlia seeds for half the price of a single dahlia tuber, and the vast majority will come up – so why wouldn’t you?
The seeds are large and easy to sow, they grow strongly, and varieties vary from small and neat to tall and showy. There are even some with contrasting chocolate-coloured foliage. And if you want to grow unusual dahlia species such as the delightful Dahlia merckii, seed may be your only option.
The reason more people don’t do it is because there are some downsides. Dahlia seeds need warmth to germinate. To grow well, they require frost-free conditions in good light. They also need a long time in which to develop, so making an early start is a wise move.
Furthermore, although most seedraised dahlias are consistent in their flower shape – cactus-flowered or collarette, for example – they are usually only available in mixed colours, and you won’t know exactly what you are getting until they flower. Of course, if you find you have grown one that you especially like, you can always keep the tuber and treat it the same way as those of other dahlias – to ensure you get more of it.
All cons aside, if you love dahlias (and let’s face, who doesn’t?) then growing them from seed is well worth it for the sheer number of plants you get – plenty for bedding, for cutting or just for enjoying those dazzling colours – without spending a fortune. And who knows, you could just discover a new shape and colour combination you’d never considered before.