Dahlia

Description/Breeding Goals:

I have no breeding goals for these dahlias - I let them run wild! Dahlia genetics are much more complicated than most other flowers, and you never really know what you're going to get from their seeds. These seeds are from flowers that were various colours, including bright pink, light pink, peach and yellow. Some had shaggy petals, some had frilly accents, some had intricate striping. The plants generally get very large and bushy and highly branched with lots of flowers.

Most (if not all), of these dahlia seeds will produce single flowers, with some semi-double possible (and likely no doubles). This is because they are pollinated by the bees and bees absolutely LOVE the single flowers (also, the double flowers produce little to no pollen).

These are a total bee magnet. If you like surprise colour in your garden, and love supporting the bees, these are for you!

Single dahlias don't have a great vase life, so they are not the best for cutting for long lasting bouquets.

If you get a plant that you love, you can save the tubers and grow the same one again the following year (tubers will produce clones of the original plant, but seeds always produce something new).

Summer/fall blooming.

Breeder's notes:

These seeds are from a "landrace" population developed at Windfall Flowers over multiple seasons. A landrace begins by growing multiple varieties of a species from multiple sources together and allowing them to cross pollinate. This maximizes diversity in the population (increased diversity means healthier plants!). From this diverse population, the healthiest and most beautiful plants are selected to harvests seeds from for the next generation. Over multiple generations, this process creates a population (a landrace) that is strong, healthy, well adapted to the local climate (hot, dry summers) and fits a certain aesthetic scheme.

The seeds from this population will not produce uniform, identical plants. It will produce a diverse range of plants from which you can select your favorites!

Details:

• Approx. 25 seeds
• Dahlia variabilis
• Open pollinated
• Annual (but tubers can be stored)
  
• Start indoors 4-8 weeks before the last frost
  
• Germination in 5-14 days at 65-70 F (germination can be sporadic-don't give up on them!)
• Cover seeds with growing medium and keep moist
  
• Transplant well after last frost (they are very cold sensitive)
• Plant in full sun (afternoon shade is appreciated in very hot climates)
• Pinching is recommended to increase branching
• Space 9-12 inches
• Approx. 54 inches tall; may require support