On this video, from England, the person is taking the cuttings in April but you can see the others in the greenhouse have been growing for a few weeks, so I'm guessing they start them in early April and take the cuttings as the dahlias show growth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Arlene

have you and Jack tried growing dahlias from cuttings? I know both of you like your dahlias.

We haven't but come March I think we'll give it a try.

I would be interested in finding out what happens to them.

We went to a garden show years ago and met the Long Island dahlia pro, Steve Nowotarski (he was on DG) and he showed us how to do the cuttings but I was always too hesitant to try. If we continue to get snow on a regular basis I just may give it a try with one dahlia, letting it grow and then try to take cuttings. He used a tool very similar to a box cutter and it is something I could do.

That's Sarah Raven on the youtube clip , pirl, she is a real gardener, married to Adam Nicolson grandson of Vita Sackville West who , with Harold Nicolson, created the garden at Sissinghurst Castle. She lives beside it at Perch Hill, though I think they have accommodation at the castle if they want. It is a National Trust property.

She has a business in cooking and gardening, and is extremely competent with a fine eye. Her plant choices and what she sells are superb, and she is about 25% more expensive than the big box stores that know nothing. I strongly recommend what she sells and what she writes.

www.sarahraven.com

I appreciate the information, Peter. How nice that she has the gardening talent as did her late grandmother-in-law!

You're welcome, Arlene, her book, Bold and Brilliant garden is worth picking up in Half Price Books if you see it, maybe $9, it's a steal!

Good tip. I'll look for it, Peter.

Arlene - thanks for posting that video. My dahlia tubers will be waking up soon (the ground doesn't freeze here so I can let them overwinter outside). I will be digging up some of the tubers for splitting soon and would really like to take cuttings of some of my dahlias. All my attempts in the past have been dismal failures. Guess the trick is to get some of the tuber along with the cutting. I did not always do that.

I am not understanding why you need to take cuttings, can't you divide the tubers?

I was watching this yesterday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

virginiarose said:I am not understanding why you need to take cuttings, can't you divide the tubers?

Cuttings provide you with a method to get more than one plant from a single tuber. For example, if you have ordered an expensive 2014 Dahlia introduction and want more plants without purchasing additional tubers, taking cuttings is the way to go. Of course, once you take your cutting(s), you can also plant the original tuber.

Also, some dahlia experts believe that a plant grown from a cutting will have better blooms.

Oh yes, and taking cuttings is fun:)

Peter - I did order and get the book you recommended. Thanks!

frankrichards16 said:
Cuttings provide you with a method to get more than one plant from a single tuber. For example, if you have ordered an expensive 2014 Dahlia introduction and want more plants without purchasing additional tubers, taking cuttings is the way to go. Of course, once you take your cutting(s), you can also plant the original tuber.

Also, some dahlia experts believe that a plant grown from a cutting will have better blooms.

Oh yes, and taking cuttings is fun:)

Sounds very interesting Frank! I might try this with a few favorites, once I learn how. I love better blooms too!

Hi Arlene, the book is a bit chaotic, but her colour sense is superb. I think she is a natural follow on from Christopher Lloyd. I hope you enjoy it.
Peter

Thanks for the recommendation, Peter. I am enjoying the book.