Growing Dahlias From Seed

Dahlias are a truly remarkable flower. Growing dahlias from seed produces a different flower type with each seed. Whereas a dahlia tuber produces exact replicas of it's mother plant, every single dahlia grown from seed will be unique.  It is so fun to patiently wait for a dahlia grown from seed to bloom. You never know, you might grow the next highly sought after dahlia flower, then you can save the tubers it produces and grow that exact flower again and again. I would suggest starting the growing from seed process 8-10 weeks before your intended time to plant outdoors. Remember Dahlia's need the ground to be at at least 60 degrees before planting out.  There are some tips and tricks to starting your dahlia seeds. I like to share Santa Cruz Dahlia's methods for completing the process. 

First she starts to germinate the seeds using the paper towel method. Here is a link to a video describing that process. 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/Ccie2cOpz3I/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Then she plants the germinated seeds into seed starting soil. Here is a video on that process. 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CcI0o6FpjD0/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

 

Place your seeded trays on a heat mat under grow lights. Put a lid on your tray for now.  Once the seedlings emerge, you can remove the lid and take them off of  the heat mat. Allow your plants to grow until they have a few sets of true leaves. If they start to get too big before it is time to plant them outside, you can move them up to a larger pot.  

If you do not have a heat mat or grow lights, try to get them in the sunniest window possible.