Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds

Growing Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds from seeds is an exciting way to propagate these vibrant and beautiful flowers. While dahlias are typically grown from tubers, growing dahlias from seeds can offer a fun opportunity to experiment with new varieties and colors, as seed-grown dahlias may produce unique flower shapes and colors that differ from their parent plants.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow dahlias from seeds:

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Dahlias from Seeds

1. Choose the Right Seeds

• Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds

2. When to Start Dahlia Seeds

• Indoors or Greenhouse: Dahlias are typically started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your region. This allows the plants to grow large enough for transplanting when the weather warms up.
• Outdoors: If you live in a warmer climate with a long growing season, you can directly sow the Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds outdoors after the last frost date, but keep in mind that they may take longer to bloom.

3. Prepare the Growing Medium

• Seed-Starting Mix: Use a lightweight seed-starting mix that is well-draining. You can also mix your own with peat moss, vermiculite, and a little perlite.
• Sterilized Soil: Make sure to use sterile soil to avoid diseases that can affect young seedlings.

4. Sowing the Seeds

• Planting Depth: Sprinkle Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds on the surface of the soil. Gently press them into the soil but do not bury them too deeply—seeds should be lightly covered with a thin layer of soil or just pressed into the surface.
• Spacing: If sowing multiple seeds, space them about 1-2 inches apart to allow for growth. You can thin them out later if needed.

5. Provide Warmth and Light

• Temperature: Keep the soil temperature between 70-75°F (21-24°C) for optimal germination. Using a seedling heat mat can help maintain the proper temperature, especially in cooler climates.
• Light: Once the seeds are sown, place the seed tray in a bright location. If growing indoors, you may need to supplement with grow lights to ensure the seedlings receive 12-16 hours of light a day. LED grow lights or fluorescent lights work well for seedlings.

6. Watering and Humidity

• Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soaked. Mist the surface lightly with a spray bottle to keep the soil moist, especially when the seedlings are very young.
• Humidity: Cover the seed tray with a clear plastic dome or plastic wrap to create a humidity dome. This will help retain moisture and create a greenhouse effect, which promotes germination. Once the seeds have germinated, remove the covering to allow for better air circulation.

7. Germination

• Timeframe: Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds typically take about 7-14 days to germinate, depending on temperature and conditions. Be patient and keep the seedlings in a warm, well-lit environment.
• After Germination: Once the Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds have sprouted and small seedlings are visible, you can remove the humidity cover. If you’re using grow lights, make sure they are positioned just above the seedlings to prevent them from becoming leggy (tall and weak).

8. Transplanting the Seedlings

• Thinning: Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, thin them out by removing the weakest ones. Aim for the remaining seedlings to be about 4-6 inches apart in the tray.
• Hardening Off: Before transplanting the seedlings into the garden, it’s important to harden them off. This process involves gradually acclimating the plants to outdoor conditions over the course of 7-10 days. Start by placing them outside for a few hours in a shaded spot and gradually increase the exposure to direct sunlight and wind.

9. Transplanting to the Garden

• Timing: Transplant the dahlia seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and when the soil has warmed up. Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds require full sun (at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day) to produce the best blooms.
• Spacing: Space dahlia seedlings about 18-24 inches apart depending on the variety. Larger varieties (like dinnerplate dahlias) will need more space, while smaller ones (like pompon dahlias) can be spaced closer together.
• Soil: Ensure the soil is well-drained and fertile. Add organic matter, such as compost, to enrich the soil.
• Watering: Water well after transplanting, but avoid waterlogging the plants. Dahlias need regular watering, especially during dry spells, but they don’t like standing water.

10. Care and Maintenance

• Fertilizing: Dahlias are heavy feeders, so fertilize them regularly with a balanced fertilizer or a high-phosphorus content rich organic fertilizer to promote blooms. Avoid too much nitrogen, as this can encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
• Pinching: To encourage bushier growth, pinch off the growing tips of the plants when they are about 6-8 inches tall. This will lead to more branching and, eventually, more flowers.
• Staking: If you’re growing taller varieties, you may need to stake the plants to support the heavy blooms. Use bamboo stakes or other garden supports.

11. Enjoy the Blooms

• Flowering Time: After transplanting, you can expect dahlias to begin blooming in about 3-4 months, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Dahlias bloom from summer to fall, with some varieties continuing until the first frost.

Dahlia open pollinated flower seeds