For those with a heated greenhouse who wish to propagate from their own stock February is the time to get started if you haven't already. We maintain a minimum temperature of 15C in our propagation tunnel. Take from the winter store the tubers you will be using to to raise your 2014 stock. I am asked many times how many cuttings will come off one tuber. This is a very difficult question to answer as cultivars vary so much. Something like Lavender Perfection, which has in my experience always been difficult to propagate, will generally yield 6-8 cuttings. Another such as Taratahi Lilac may yield as many as 20 plus cuttings.
Trim off the fibrous roots and stems and place carefully in shallow trays on a layer of sifted compost. Cover lightly, but not the stems or crown, and water sparingly until the shoots begin to appear and then water normally. Too much water in the very early stage before growth begins can cause tuber rot which is, obviously, not good, and rotting tubers smell horrible!
For many. or even most, cultivars shoots will begin to emerge in 2-3 weeks.
In the March blog I will describe how to take the cuttings that have grown and strike them.
For those with no heated greenhouse: carry out routine inspections as for January.
Thursday, 23 January 2014
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Practical propagating workshop
Following a number of requests we are running a workshop on propagating dahlias from tubers.
Withypitts
Dahlias Ltd
A
practical Dahlia Propagation workshop
Friday
February 14th 2014
Change of Venue !!
St Peter's Church Centre, Street Lane, Ardingly.
West Sussex RH17 6UN
| 10:00 am | Registration, Coffee & biscuits |
| 10:30 am | Introduction & overview |
| 10:45 am |
Course
begins!
|
| 11:15 am – 12:45 pm | Take your own cuttings with tuition and guidance |
| 01:00 pm | Course ends – PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH |
What's
included
This
fully interactive and practical workshop is designed to equip
participants with the skills to raise dahlia plants from tubers and
a chance to have a go at their
own propagation. You'll take home the results of your work to
grow on in your garden including
the tubers you have used.
Sufficient background information will be given enabling the plants
raised to be grown on to produce high quality blooms for use either
commercially or in the home.
Each
participant will be provided with all the materials needed:
- tubers from which to take cuttings
- seed tray
- compost
- rooting compound
- plant labels
Who
should attend
This workshop is for all who wish to raise their own cuttings including commercial cut flower growers and for gardeners who want to fill their borders with colour and flowers for their own cutting garden.
This workshop is for all who wish to raise their own cuttings including commercial cut flower growers and for gardeners who want to fill their borders with colour and flowers for their own cutting garden.
PRICE:
£30.00 inclusive. Limited
places available.
Email:
courses@withypitts-dahlias.co.uk
to book your place. Invoices will be issued in due course.
Friday, 3 January 2014
Field grown tubers for sale
The tuber sale has now started!
Buy now and grab a bargain! These are field grown and the same stock from which we raise our own plants. These tubers are sold in packs of 3 each and are priced at £6.50 a pack to clear as they are taking up valuable space.
Full details on the web site Online Shop
Buy now and grab a bargain! These are field grown and the same stock from which we raise our own plants. These tubers are sold in packs of 3 each and are priced at £6.50 a pack to clear as they are taking up valuable space.
Full details on the web site Online Shop
Thursday, 2 January 2014
January jobs for the Dahlia grower
Happy New Year!
There is never a dull moment for a dahlia grower, now is the time to get the 2014 season under way.
The tubers that are in their winter store need to be inspected and any diseased or rotting parts removed. Wipe away any mildew on the stems. Dust with flowers of sulphur and carefully the tubers carefully in the store.
January is a good time to plan your borders or cutting garden.
For people with heated greenhouses that are propagating and wish to get an early start remove the tubers from the winter store that you will be using. Trim off any surplus fibrous roots and place in shallow trays on a layer of sifted compost. Lightly cover being careful not to cover the stems or the crown and lightly water. We maintain a minimum temperature of 15C and expect to begin to see growth in 2-3 weeks.
This year we will have tubers that are surplus to our own needs for sale. These will be field grown and the same stock from which we raise our own plants. Details to follow as soon as we have finalised numbers and will be available from the online shop.
There is never a dull moment for a dahlia grower, now is the time to get the 2014 season under way.
The tubers that are in their winter store need to be inspected and any diseased or rotting parts removed. Wipe away any mildew on the stems. Dust with flowers of sulphur and carefully the tubers carefully in the store.
January is a good time to plan your borders or cutting garden.
For people with heated greenhouses that are propagating and wish to get an early start remove the tubers from the winter store that you will be using. Trim off any surplus fibrous roots and place in shallow trays on a layer of sifted compost. Lightly cover being careful not to cover the stems or the crown and lightly water. We maintain a minimum temperature of 15C and expect to begin to see growth in 2-3 weeks.
This year we will have tubers that are surplus to our own needs for sale. These will be field grown and the same stock from which we raise our own plants. Details to follow as soon as we have finalised numbers and will be available from the online shop.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)