I have been working with a group of Dahlias enthusiasts, helping (very little help on my part I admit) to develop this survey. The ADS has endorsed the survey. Dahlias are ranked and rated for "showing" on a regular basis, however there are a lot of dahlias which make wonderful cut flowers that don't necessarily rank well for showing.

Please consider taking a few minutes to complete this survey and help develop a master list for the best dahlias as cut flowers.

"Help determine which ones are outstanding cut dahlia cultivars by taking part in our series of surveys, starting with the Battle of the Flames. Does it bloom early and often? Does it have long stems? Does it last in a vase? We'll tally up the strengths and weaknesses of multitudes of cultivars and deliver easy-to read results which will show which varieties made the top cut for the cut flower business as well as the casual hobbyist."

http://goo.gl/forms/vIBzS7Lzuf

I was going to participate but I got to the part about cut flower experience and mine is pretty small. I think they need people who know what they are doing and therefore their results can be duplicated by other experienced people. I just cut them and throw them in a vase. Hardly scientific.

Ditto to what Mary said. I'm happy if the dahlias I cut for the house last for five days and don't keep any records of the strongest or weakest.

Maybe we can all try and keep better records this year, Geof.

I know what you mean. I only cut for my own pleasure too. I do notice that some last longer than others on a regular basis, but I think I had only grown 3-4 on this particular survey list. Still…….I like the idea of developing a master list of the best dahlias for cut flowers, and I want to support the effort these folks are putting into this survey.

Even if you don't have much info to add to it - if you fill it out, then you will get to see the results.

Just completed the survey. I've only grown five from the list and it's difficult to judge how long they last in a vase when I cut them in all stages. I did mention, in the comment section, that I'll be growing more from their list and hope to do better in 2015.

Thanks for pitching in !

Bought two more packages today in the interest of research, of course.

Ha - you don't realize you are talking to a university professor (me) we use the term research to justify lots of things.

Justifying new dahlia purchases isn't required but it sounds better than plant lust after a long, snowy winter.