FAQ

FAQ regarding hybridized dahlia varieties.

  • Why are you pursuing trademark protection, PVP, and patents for your dahlia varieties?

    We’re committed to protecting the quality, uniqueness, and hard work involved in developing our dahlia varieties. By securing these protections, we aim to ensure that large-scale commercial operations don’t reproduce our varieties in ways that could compromise quality, introduce pathogens, or undermine our reputation. This allows us to continue investing in and sharing our passion for dahlias, knowing that our work is safeguarded.

  • How does this affect small farms and hobbyist growers?

    We deeply appreciate the contributions of small farms and hobbyist growers and don’t intend to seek royalties or impose restrictions on them. Our primary focus is on preventing unauthorized large-scale production by commercial operations, which may not adhere to our quality standards. We’re happy to continue sharing our varieties with gardeners who love dahlias as much as we do.

  • Isn’t it against the spirit of gardening to “own” plant varieties?

    We respect the long-standing tradition of sharing plants within the gardening community. However, breeding a new dahlia variety involves a significant investment of time, resources, and expertise. These protections don’t change our desire to share our plants but help ensure we can maintain the quality of our varieties and protect our investment from large-scale commercialization that could diminish our work.

  • Why do you need to go beyond trademarking and pursue PVP and patents?

    Trademarking protects the names we give our varieties, but it doesn’t prevent others from reproducing the plants themselves. Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and patents offer additional legal rights that help us control the propagation of the plants themselves. This is particularly important when large commercial growers might try to mass-produce our varieties without maintaining quality standards, which could ultimately harm our reputation and compromise the plants’ quality.

  • Will these protections raise the price of your dahlias?

    Our goal is to keep our dahlias accessible to those who share our passion for gardening. The protections help us manage quality control and prevent unauthorized large-scale production, which, in turn, helps us maintain the integrity and value of our varieties. We’re committed to balancing our need to protect our work with keeping our plants available to individuals and small growers.

  • How does this impact gardeners who enjoy sharing and exchanging plants?

    We encourage the sharing and enjoyment of dahlias among gardening enthusiasts. The protections we pursue are primarily aimed at large-scale commercial growers. We welcome gardeners to enjoy, grow, and even share our dahlias as long as it’s done on a small scale and not for mass reproduction. Our goal is not to limit the enjoyment of gardening but to protect our varieties from practices that could harm their quality and reputation.

  • What happens if a large grower wants to reproduce one of your varieties?

    For large growers interested in propagating our dahlias, we can establish licensing agreements that set clear quality standards. This way, they can reproduce our varieties in a way that aligns with our commitment to quality and protects both the plant and our brand. These agreements help us ensure that any commercial reproduction is done responsibly and with respect for the integrity of the plants.

  • Isn’t it unfair to restrict how plants can be propagated?

    We understand that this can be a sensitive topic. While we support the communal spirit of gardening, breeding unique varieties requires a substantial investment of time, resources, and expertise. These protections allow us to balance the openness of gardening with the practical need to safeguard our work, especially from large-scale operations that might compromise quality for quantity.

  • How do these protections benefit the gardening community?

    By securing PVP, patents, and trademarks, we can maintain high standards and introduce distinctive, high-quality varieties to the gardening community. These protections allow us to invest in the development of new dahlias without the risk of large-scale commercial operations undercutting our work, which ultimately benefits gardeners by preserving the uniqueness and quality of our varieties.

  • Can I still save seeds or tubers from your dahlias and grow them myself?

    Absolutely! Gardeners are welcome to enjoy our dahlias and save seeds or tubers for personal enjoyment and small-scale propagation. Our main concern is with larger commercial enterprises that may mass-produce the plants for profit. We encourage the enjoyment of our dahlias within the gardening community and hope to foster an appreciation for the time and effort involved in breeding unique varieties.

FAQs About Dahlia Viruses and Our Commitment to Healthy Stock

  • At Bonny Blooms, we prioritize producing vibrant, healthy plants while taking significant steps to reduce pathogens and ensure robust growth. Below are some frequently asked questions about dahlia viruses and what we’re doing to maintain quality stock.

  • How prevalent are dahlia viruses in the United States?

    Dahlia viruses, particularly Dahlia Mosaic Virus (DMV), are widespread in the U.S. Studies have detected DMV in over 90% of tested samples, indicating a high prevalence, though many plants remain asymptomatic.

    WSU Dahlia Mosaic Virus 

  • How does Bonny Blooms ensure healthy dahlia stock?

    We are deeply committed to producing disease-free dahlia plants. Our operation uses rigorous sanitation practices, controlled environments, and careful propagation methods to minimize pathogens. Our goal is to deliver healthy, vigorous plants that thrive in your garden. Only myself (Craig) and Jana are allowed to harvest cut flower stems and additionally all tubers are hand harvested and inspected by myself alone.

  • What steps do you take to ensure cleanliness on the farm?

    Farm cleanliness is a top priority. We use clean techniques throughout every stage of production:

    • Multiple Harvest Knives: Each cutting is made with a fresh, sterile blade. We use Claus red-handled florist knives, available in boxes of 10-100, to ensure every cut is precise and clean.
    • Tool Sanitation: After each cut, knives are sanitized using a 2% bleach solution (Clorox) and 70% isopropyl alcohol. We prefer 70% isopropyl as it has a longer effective life compared to 99%, which evaporates quickly.
    • Sterilization Tools: Our grow room is equipped with advanced sterilization tools, including a Giff 300W disinfection box and a glass bead sterilizer, to ensure all tools and surfaces remain pathogen-free.
    • Preventative Applications: Pesticides and fungicides are applied in the grow room as a preventative measure. This controlled environment protects plants from pest pressures in the absence of natural allies like beneficial insects.

  • What role does the grow room play in your operation?

    Our grow room is essential for propagating cuttings. Cuttings are grown under lights in a carefully controlled environment to encourage healthy growth and reduce the risk of disease. Each cutting is handled with care, using fresh, sterile tools for every step. The grow room's controlled conditions also allow us to apply preventative measures against pests and pathogens without impacting natural ecosystems.

  • Do you have a farm crew assisting with these processes?

    No, the cultivation and propagation of our dahlias are managed solely by myself, Craig. This decision ensures meticulous attention to detail and maintains the highest quality standards. We do have staff dedicated to shipping and managing the flower shop to support other aspects of the business.

  • Do you test your dahlia plants for viruses?

    Testing every dahlia for viruses is not cost-effective given our production of over 3,000 plants. Virus testing is expensive and can significantly increase the cost of tubers, making them less accessible to our customers. Additionally, viruses like Dahlia Mosaic Virus can move within a plant, leading to false negatives even in infected plants.

    Instead, we incorporate virus management into our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system. Some viruses, such as DMV, reveal symptoms during specific times of the year, particularly when vectors like aphids emerge. To address this, we inspect plants in the spring and again in the fall when cool temperatures can make symptoms more apparent. Any symptomatic or suspicious plants are removed immediately to prevent further spread.