Dahlia cuttings

[aykhan]

My dahlia tubers, some new and some from last year have sprouted. When is a good time to take the cuttings? What size cuttings? What can be done to maximize their chance of rooting?

[UMARKHANMARDAN]

this is the right time to plant cuttings.take cuttings which are are solid.by solid i meant the cuttings should not have hollow space inside.also use good quality rooting harmone powder.make a sharpe cut in the base of each cutting,dip in rooting harmone powder & insert the cutting into the soil.keep the pots in shady location.when new growth appear move to sunny spot.

[aykhan]

Khan saheb I think it's still quite hot. If I take cuttings in mid September would that be too late?

[aykhan]

Are 3 inch cuttings good enough or do I need to take bigger cuttings?

[UMARKHANMARDAN]

Yes you are right.actually i plant rooted cuttings from Swat or Murree.for us its too early.let the temp get cool.mid Sep will be ideal.3 inchs cuttings are enough.2 inchs in soil & 1 inch top of the soil.this year i may not plant Dahlias as roses are getting more share in my garden.
this year i,l try to make some iceberg standards with two colors heads.i,l try to graft pink & white ice berg on the 3 ft high stems.so getting the two colors on same stem.i,l concentrate all energies on it in mid Sep.

[AhmadIrfan]

Since the weather here in Lahore is humid and don't see a lot of sun I have already planted my cuttings anxiously to get early flowers the cuttings are placed under a mango tree for now there has been no mortality lets see

[UMARKHANMARDAN]

vAhmad visit Feroz shah,s page on F.B.u,l enjoy the dahlias photos there.i,l ask him from where he has taken the photos.dwarf compact dahlias with extra large blooms in multi shades.