Thursday 23 January 2014

Dahlia jobs in February

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 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

Turners Hill, West Sussex. RH10 4PB
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!
  1. Starting tubers into growth
  2. Taking cutting from the tuber
  3. Prepare cutting to plant
  4. Insert cutting
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.

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 



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.