Growing Dahlias from Rooted Cuttings
Growing dahlias from rooted cuttings is one of the most rewarding ways to bring these stunning flowers into your garden. At Bonny Blooms, I take extra care to ensure every cutting is set up for success—not just for vibrant blooms but for strong tuber production as well.
How I Take Cuttings
Each cutting is prepared with 2–3 extra leaf nodes to encourage strong root systems and reliable tuber production. This technique ensures the plants establish themselves quickly and grow into healthy, productive specimens. I’ve refined these methods over the years to provide the best possible start, focusing on both immediate growth and long-term success. My goal is to deliver cuttings that not only grow well but also produce robust tubers, ensuring your dahlias thrive year after year.
When Your Cuttings Arrive
When your cuttings arrive, they’ll be ready to settle into their new home. Gently unpack them and check the roots, which should look white and firm. If the cuttings seem a little stressed from transit, they will bounce back quickly once planted. Prepare a pot or garden bed with well-draining soil and plant the cuttings deep, ensuring that 2–3 nodes are buried below the soil line. This deep planting encourages root and tuber development. Water them thoroughly and place them in a spot with bright, indirect light for a few days to help them adjust.
Caring for Your Cuttings
To help your cuttings thrive, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Gradually introduce them to more direct sunlight as they grow. When it’s time to transplant them into your garden, use the same deep planting method to provide a strong foundation for future growth. With consistent care, your cuttings will establish themselves quickly and reward you with beautiful blooms and strong tubers.
The Science of Rooting
Rooting is a fascinating process that highlights the plant’s natural resilience. When a cutting is taken, the plant recognizes the absence of roots and activates specialized meristematic cells to produce new ones. These cells, located in the stem, rapidly multiply and form roots capable of absorbing water and nutrients. Nodes play a critical role in this process. As small growth hubs packed with meristematic cells, nodes are the perfect spots for roots to develop. By including multiple nodes and burying them below the soil line, the cutting has several opportunities to form a strong root system.
For roots to grow effectively, cuttings need the right combination of moisture, warmth, and oxygen. Too dry, and root growth halts. Too wet, and the cutting may rot. That’s why I propagate cuttings in controlled conditions where these factors are perfectly balanced, setting them up for success before they even leave the farm.
Shipping Rooted Cuttings: A Little Light for the Journey
Shipping rooted dahlia cuttings is something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. These little plants are the result of months of care, and I want to make sure they arrive at your doorstep healthy and ready to grow. That’s why I’ve added a simple but effective detail to the process: LED lights in the shipping containers.
Why I Use LED Lights
Plants rely on light for photosynthesis, even in small amounts, and spending several days in a dark box can take a toll. When cuttings are suddenly exposed to bright sunlight after being in the dark, they can experience shock, which slows their recovery and growth.
To help prevent this, I’ve included low-wattage LED lights in each container. These lights emit a spectrum of around 478 nm (blue light), which is ideal for maintaining plant health. Blue light encourages steady photosynthesis and keeps the plants active without overstimulating them.
By providing light during shipping, the cuttings don’t completely shut down. They maintain their energy levels, arrive looking fresh, and are less likely to go into shock when they’re planted and exposed to natural light.
Packing and Shipping with Care
I'll ship rooted cuttings starting in late April and continue through May, even into June if demand is high. Each cutting is carefully packed in a secure container with proper airflow and humidity. The LED lights create a stable, low-light environment that mimics their grow room conditions, keeping them as stress-free as possible during the journey.
What to Expect When They Arrive
When your cuttings arrive, they’ll look vibrant and healthy, thanks to the added light during shipping. They’ll be ready to plant right away, giving you a head start on a beautiful growing season.
This approach may seem simple, but I believe it’s the thoughtful details that make all the difference. These cuttings represent a lot of care, and I want them to thrive in your hands just as they did in mine. Adding a little light to the journey is one more way I make sure that happens.
A Final Note
At Bonny Blooms, I’m passionate about dahlias and dedicated to growing cuttings that perform as they should. With proper care, your cuttings will reward you with stunning flowers and reliable tubers, season after season. If you have any questions or need support, I’m always here to help.