Dahlia Seed

We are excited to offer this Dahlia seed mix collected from our flowers at the farm. These seeds are open pollinated. We leave the majority of our flowers from autumn for the bees to pollinate and as a result we are able to offer a selection of Dahlia seeds.

This seed will not grow true to the parent plant. 

Dahlia are genetically diverse plants, having 8 sets of chromosomes, meaning that seedlings grown from seed, can be very different from the parent plant. For example, if you plant seeds from Cafe Au Lait, the seedlings will be very different looking compared to Cafe Au Lait. You may get a large pastel pink frilly single dahlia flower, or you may get a decorative bright Yellow dahlia flower, both of which I’ve had this year from seedlings. Out of the dahlia seeds I planted, each one was different. Genetic dominance tends to give you more single flowers (that the bees adore), but every now and then, you stumble across something very special!

Growing Dahlias from seed is a very rewarding experience, you are creating something new, new flowers and plants. Dahlia plants grown from seed in spring and cared for correctly will develop tubers by the time they are struck by the first frost. You can either leave these tubers in the ground or lift and store over winter, depending on your climate.

The images on this listing are examples of seedlings grown at our flower farm from collected seed.

Dahlia seed (Mixed colour & form)

Open pollinated seed collected from Stillwater Flowers in Christchurch

Perennial

Sow: Spring– Mid Summer

Spacing: 40cm in final growing position

Site: Full Sun

Growing: Seedlings are not true to parent variety. Germination: 5-14 days. Direct sow or sow in cells or trays. Surface sow onto moist seed raising mix, cover lightly with up to 1cm of seed raising mix. Keep seed raising mix moist during germination. Water from underneath until seeds have sprouted. Pinching out the main growing tip will encourage the plant to grow into a fuller, bushy plant. Transplant at 15cm tall. Height: 80cm+

Harvesting: Pick flowers just before they are fully open, at approximately ¾ open for best vase life. Seedlings will form tubers first season. Tubers can be lifted or left in the ground, depending on your climate.

Approximately 35 seeds per packet