Dahlia Diaries Episode 2: Seed Saving.

Watch Episode 2 on Instagram here

I’ve touched on dahlia breeding recently and now I’m saving seed for next season. Did you know these tiny seeds can grow a flowering plant and a clump of tubers all in one season?

Every seedling is completely unique, it will not grow true to the parent, it may disappoint or delight!

A few quick FAQs from this season:

Will you be selling seeds?
Possibly! I’ll decide once everything has been harvested, cleaned and counted. There will be plenty available next year.

When do you sow your seeds?
Early Sept in Gisborne, roughly 6 weeks before our last frost.

What are your favourite dahlias to save seed from?
This season I’m focusing more on balls and pom poms. I had a pretty epic fail with collarettes this year!

Can I save seed from my own garden?
Absolutely. Even beginners can collect and grow dahlia seed at home.

Do you hand pollinate?
Not this year, I let the bees do the work. But I’ll dabble in hand pollination next season. It’s a very drawn out process.

How long does it take to create a new variety?
Usually 3–4 years of growing, assessing and trialling before I’d even consider releasing one.

Are dahlias from seed worth growing?
Absolutely. They’re one of the cheapest ways to fill a garden with flowers if you don’t mind a little surprise factor. But if you’re short on space, buying proven dahlia tuber varieties might be the better option.

Coming up on Dahlia Diaries:
Cutting back
To dig or not to dig
Winter storage