Bristol grown, sustainable flowers. Dahlia cuttings.

When growing flowers locally using sustainable methods make sure to use peat free compost and no chemicals.

How to take cuttings from your sprouting mother plant to produce more plants for free!

I have been growing Dahlias for years. First in my own garden and then in the gardens of Tyntesfield in Bristol - owned by the National Trust. Here I was trusted to bring out old and gigantic tubers that had been saved for years and bring them into growth to be cut for the Mansion. I am very grateful to have had this experience and now I continue to build on it as I grow sustainable locally grown Dahlias in Bristol for sale.

I am thoroughly looking forward to Dahlia season in the coming months as I do every year. They are truly majestic and beautiful.

Here we discuss the main points for taking Dahlia cuttings.

Tip 1 - Hygiene is key!

Good hygiene is essential. All pots and tools must be squeaky clean to protect the cutting from bacteria. This means using a brand new cutting blade, ideally. Remember: the more pathogens that are around the cutting the less likely it is to root and thrive.

Tip 2 - Use organic rooting hormone.

Cuttings will often root without the need for this but rooting powder speeds up the process. So does leaving a little chip of the tuber on the end of the cutting.

Mother plants should be started by planting the tubers in pots. Keep watering to a minimum until you see leaves unfolding and then start watering them as the photosynthesise.

Sarah Raven (Dahlia expert) advises the following:

‘You need to get them (shoots on the tubers) to a good 10 centimetres tall before you plant them out. By then, the leaves are much better able to resist slugs and snails, because they've got more lignin in them.'

Tip 3 - Make the compost from 1/2 grit and 1/2 compost.

It is worth the addition of horticultural grit. This will enable any water to move through the pot and not linger to rot the delicate new root structure. I have learnt the hard way that omitting grit causes losses!

Tip #4 - Water your cutting to settle it.

Then keep watering to a minimum. You need to provide the cutting with enough water to produce roots and help it transpire but not so much that it will rot. The aim is to have it damp but not completely dry or wet.

Tip #5 - Protect it from the cold!

Place your cutting in a greenhouse or in the house on a sunny windowsill or better still on a heat mat. This will provide the warmth that your cutting needs to produce roots. The frost will kill it.

And.. above all enjoy getting a new plant for nothing!

When can you ever get something for nothing? Have a go and get your quick fix from the nurturing and the enjoyment of creating a new plant.

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