How to propagate dahlias by cuttings

Dahlia cutting time

The time for cuttings can be from early spring to summer and autumn. Of course, if you want to ensure a high survival rate, it is best to do cuttings in March or April. Pay attention to the temperature in November and December. It is best to keep it between 15℃ and 25℃ to prevent it from falling into dormancy or the leaves drying up.

Dahlia cutting method

Take the young branch that is growing at the top, about 8 cm, and cut the lower part neatly 1 cm below the node, being careful not to split it. Cut off the two leaves at the bottom and insert them into the peat soil or clean sand prepared in advance. The diameter of the selected pot should not be less than 25 cm. Then pour water on it and provide semi-shade. You can set up a stand and use a double layer of shade net to provide semi-shade. Water the plants every day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening on sunny days, to keep the soil moist, which will also help prevent the plants from withering. The plants will take root in 2 or 3 weeks, and the survival rate is quite high.

Dahlia cutting management

After the cuttings are successful, you can start applying fertilizer. It can be combined with tillage and weeding, and application of saturated extract of compound fertilizer once before and after flowering. Add 400 ml of mother solution to each backpack sprayer for foliar topdressing. After the dahlias have taken root, deep tillage is not suitable, as this will help prevent weed damage, otherwise the tubers may be damaged. In order to avoid breaking the soft stems and leaves, it is best to set up a support and top the seedlings when they are 15 cm tall. Remember to pick them off in time after the flowers fade, which can also extend the flowering period. Or when the plant grows to 30 cm, insert a small bamboo next to the paper strip and tie it with a thin wire. As the plant grows taller, the small bamboo should also be replaced, and longer ones should be chosen. Finally, when the flower buds appear, the small bamboo should be placed under them.

This is how dahlias are propagated by cuttings. It’s actually not difficult. I hope everyone can learn it.