Flower Gardens

» tikishark - Question

I really enjoyed your article on Dahlias. I have two questions.

1. I read in your article that they should be "dug" after the first frost. I live in Zone 6. I have four Dahlias planted in my garden, and one hanging basket. Should I dig the ones in the garden up after the frost, or before, and should I bring them in for the winter? Can I bring the hanging basket in, too?

2. Do you know if and/or where any seeds can be found on the plants, and if so, what I should do if I find them?

I am new to gardening and really enjoying it this year. I have been harvesting a lot of different seeds, but I don't have anyone to talk to about such questions. I thank you for your response!

-- posted by tikishark

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» Cottage_Garden - How to Save Dahlia Seeds

In response to Question posted by tikishark:

Hi tikishark! Glad to hear you are enjoying your gardening. It is addictive for some of us. (grin)

In zone 6 you will definitely need to dig up the tubers (the underground part) AFTER the first frost has killed the top growth. You can save your hanging basket dahlia the same way.

I will write about how to do this before then, but basically you cut them off near the ground then carefully dig them up (will be bigger than what you planted, possibly waaaaay bigger) clean them off and then store them in a cool but not cold place for the winter. Make sure there is a bit of stem still attached to the tubers. Next spring, you replant the tubers.

You can grow dahlias from seed, but the results will be mixed. The seedlings will not be the same as the parent plant you took the seed from. If you want more of the same kind it is much easier to divide the tubers next spring when you replant.

If you want to save seed, pick the best flower on your best plant to take the seed from. Allow it to go past its prime and dry up and wither on the plant. The petals will fall off and you will see the seedpod left behind. It looks like a ball.

Keep waiting. The seedhead has to dry out completely so the seeds mature. When it is quite dried out (several weeks maybe, it may rattle or begin to burst open when ready), cut it off and pull it apart. There should be seeds in it. Store them in a paper envelope in a cool dry place for planting next spring.

But, if you leave the flower on the plant that long it will really slow down flowering and looks awful in the garden. Since these are so easy to propagate by dividing the tubers most gardeners never save the seeds. Especially since the seedlings are unpredictable.

Saving seed is fairly similar from plant to plant. The key is to allow it to mature, then store it dry and cool. Some folks keep them in jars in the refrigerator with a packet of antidessicant (such as come with new cameras or leather goods).

I hope this helps!
And if you have more questions, ask away!

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

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» Cottage_Garden - Fall care -- dig and store tubers

In response to Question posted by tikishark:

I have written about How to Dig and Store Dahlia Tubers for Winter Storage.

You can split them in the spring before you replant if you want to increase the number of plants you have, or get extras to share or swap. It is a good idea to split them each year anyway to keep the clump growing vigorously.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

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