How to take basal cuttings from dahlias

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How to take basal cuttings from dahlias

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Friday, 13 September 2019 at 3:12 pm

Find out how to grow new dahlias from basal cuttings, in our practical guide.

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Bright, showy dahlias are a highlight of the late summer garden. You can increase your stock by taking basal cuttings from tubers in spring. Each tuber will give you around five new plants for free that will flower in summer.

Be sure to pot up dahlia tubers in March, to bring them into growth, so you can have new shoots sprouting after a few weeks. Once healthy shoots have grown, leave some on the original tuber so that the plant can grow away strongly. Cuttings may wilt initially, but pot them up quickly and water well, and they'll soon recover.

What to plant in March

Rooting will occur after a few weeks, after which you can expect more substantial plants which will need potting on. Harden them off before planting in late spring after the danger of frosts has passed and give young shoots protection from slugs, which love to eat them.

Here's how to take basal cuttings from dahlias.

You Will Need

Dahlia tubers
A sharp knife
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Seed trays or pots
Hormone rooting powder
Horticultural grit

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Planting dahlia tubers into compost

Bring the dormant tubers (which should feel fleshy and firm) into growth. Place them in a shallow tray filled with multipurpose compost. Water well and position in a warm, light spot indoors.

Step 2

Removing healthy dahlia shoot

When the shoots are about 8cm long, select a healthy one. Use a sharp knife to cut just above the point where the shoot emerges from the tuber, below the lowest pair of leaves.

Step 3

Removing leaves from the dahlia cutting

Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem using a sharp knife. Pinch out the growing tip and dip the base of the cutting into hormone rooting power.

Step 4

Placing the basal cutting in compost

Insert each cutting into a small pot filled with potting compost. Firm in, top with grit and water thoroughly. Cover with a plastic bag and place in a warm, light spot out of direct sunlight.

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