16/08/2021
It’s that time of the year when we are all thinking about buying our dahlias tubers. But you don’t have to buy. If you saved some pods from last years plant , here is a step by step guide , of how to breed something possibly exceptional, the last two flower images are from a seed that I grew and what a wonderful surprise it was . First step ,get a paper towel and soak with water , place seed that are dark and firm that are tucked in your saved pod , as per first photo . Roll towel up with the seeds , in a tube ,and place into a glass jar with lots of light . Don’t let it dry out . Then in a week or two you should see some sprouting from the seed . Remove sprouted seed from the towel and place into a seed mix , root side down . Then watch it grow !! Water as needed , then pot up to a bigger pot when the root growth has exceeded your small punnet . Plant in the garden early summer . You will see flowers on your plant this summer, it won’t be prolific cos it’s busy making its tuber . The flower will never be like the flower you took your seed from , as it’s been cross pollinated by bees and they have worked their magic , so you will never know what you will get ! You might be lucky like I was , who knows that’s all part of the fun.
