How to grow dahlias from rooted cuttings

How to grow dahlias from rooted cuttings

Find out how to grow dahlias from rooted cuttings, in our step-by-step guide.

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To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do To do in March

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Do not To do in December

There are three ways to grow dahlias: from rooted cuttings, tubers or seed.

Rooted cuttings are usually bought by mail order from specialist nurseries. They are shoots taken from the basal growth of the parent plant the previous winter, rooted into compost and sent out bagged up in plastic, ready for potting up. They usually make smaller plants in their first year, but are big enough for growing in pots, and they flower well. Here’s how to grow dahlias from rooted cuttings.

Rooted cuttings are shoots taken last winter from the basal growth of the parent, rooted into compost.
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You Will Need

  • Rooted dahlia cuttings
  • 9cm pots
  • Scissors
  • 12cm pots
  • Plant labels

Total time:

Step 1

Place the cutting into a 9cm pot and backfill with compost. Firm down.

Placing the rooted cutting into compost
Placing the rooted cutting into compost

Step 2

Snip off any buds that form to allow the plant to bulk up. Grow on in 12cm pots.

Snipping off dahlia buds
Snipping off dahlia buds

Step 3

Keep well watered and harden off outdoors on warm days in May or June.

Dahlia plants on a windowsill indoors
Dahlia plants on a windowsill indoors
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