Dahlias from Seed - Picking, Planting, Growing

We would like to share our process for Picking, Planting and Growing Dahlias from Seed. The process can be scary, and somewhat daunting, but it does have an element of surprise and mystery of what you might get! Check out the video, and drop us any questions that might have concerning growing Dahlias from Seed!
Have a beautiful day!
Swan Island Dahlias

[@DaveTheHillsideGardener]

Can you make a video of how you chose what to keep from your 15k seeds? And how you develop them for market?

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Sure, thank you for the suggestion! We will try to do one when our Dahlias are blooming!🌸

[@NatalyaBerezneva]

Please make more videos, teach us everything. I just planted my first tubers ever and I am already a Dahlia addicted. I would like so much to visit your farm. Cheers!

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

So wonderful to hear!! Hope you can visit soon🌸

[@anniathome]

I love how you say if there’s one we like, we can name it ourselves. It seems that creating new varieties is shrouded in mystery and expensive patents. But your teaching gives that power back to the gardener. Of course, that’s how the patented varieties get started, but you open the door of innovation for us! Very inspiring! Thank you!

[@Momcat6]

This is so helpful,thank you! I was gifted some dahlia seed but have never grown them from seed before. For some reason, it just never occurred to me!

[@MF-xp9tq]

Thank You So Much for this informative video! I wish that I had known that you sell seeds when I placed my tuber order with you last month. I think that I'm tempted to come back to your website and order some seeds! Thank You Again!

[@ronyrony4669]

Love your videos, do you open your farms for visitors? I bet people want to see dahlia in bloom.

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Yes!! Our fields are open 6 days a week August-September, please see the following link for visiting!🌸 www.dahlias.com/our-farm/visit-us/

[@mariazucchero9123]

Thank you for sharing your video of how to collect Dhalia seeds. I learned a lessons. Have a blessed Day!

[@rebeccacimarusti8804]

If you don't pick those dried dahlias will they grow in the dirt again? If you don't know where the bee's haven't cross pollinated, isn't that a ending task? And how do you know what you have? Do you sell those seeds?

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

We do offer the seeds but we are sold out for the season. We know the mother plant that the seed is picked from but we do not know where the bees have been and the seeds on the blooms are not given a chance to bloom again because we destroy them during our digging process.🌸

[@littlemissblueyes100]

I shall watch for seeds this year...oh the excitement in surprise

[@laurasandoval1915]

This was so interesting to see. I have to try it. I’m so curious now!

[@k_steele]

Trying to learn about saving dahlia seed and found your video helpful - thank you!

[@veraalmeida2557]

Is this land pure sand ? Essas sementeiras são colocadas na sombra ou no sol? Are these seedbeds placed in the shade or in the sun?

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

No our soil is not pure sand, but it is a sandy loam. The tubers need to be planted in the sun!

[@LilacDaisy2]

Oh, I've just bought 12 packets of "decorative giant" dahlia seeds, and they claim some dinner plates are among them. Looks like they may have a low germination rate, if they're difficult to make viable

[@kiukle]

I live in Rhode Island and the petals tend to wilt and rot over the flower heads. In your video you said don't pick the petals off, in someone else's video they said that's exactly what they do to prevent rot, so I'm confused.. If I can't pick them off how do I stop them from rotting the head/seedpod? It was a very wet year this year.

[@c_scheer]

Thank you for this! I had watched other videos but was still confused about how the seeds developed and what to look for. I don't know a lot about them yet, but I'm so in love with them and want to try and grow a bunch of them for other areas of my garden next season

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Hi there! Please see our most recent video as it can help explain what to look for (seed pods)! Please email us at [e-mail] if you have any questions!

[@qo2097]

Does this mean that any seed that becomes a dahlia a brand new one of a kind dahlia?

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Yes, all of the seeds are 100% unique!

[@sharongeorge4096]

Do the first year blooms from seeds change with subsequent years? I know daylilies will do that.

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Not usually, but sometimes the flower qualities get better or worse in coming years!🌸

[@MF-xp9tq]

Ok. I did it. I went back to Swan Island Dahlias and ordered some seeds along with my tubers. I'm so excited, I can't wait to begin this experiment! Thank you again for the very informative video. I do have questions though. I've run out of space under my grow lights. How high a temperature will the seedlings survive? Also, since you ship so many seeds, would it be possible to store some seeds in the refrigerator for a year? Thanks again😀

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

We start our seeds and keep them at a constant 60°. As for storing seeds over, we haven’t found that they have very good germination success in following years.🌸

[@maribeltorres6233]

@@SwanIslandDahlias how can I order dahlia seeds?

[@tracycrider7778]

@@maribeltorres6233on their website

[@EternalSnoie]

Wait. I just watched a video of someone saying they cover the pods so bees don’t take the pollen. Would that mean that pods will only produce that variety?

[@peggyjk]

Loved the information! I buy a dwarf variety of dahlia seeds, how do they know the new plants will be short? And they state a certain colors, how do they know? Thanks

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

They are in a controlled environment!🌸

[@limvo1260]

Nice video. May I ask once the seeds have sprouted, how long before you move them to their own pot, and do you cover them with anything? Do they need to be on a heat mat still? I planted 30 seeds and approximately 50% of the seeds have sprouted, not all at the same time, so some are more than 3" tall. Thanks.

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Once they are a few inches tall it is time to put them in individual pots, there is no exact time as they all sprout different. You would need to keep the pots indoors until there is no chance of frost. No heat Mat is needed, but the growing area should be at least 70° consistently.🌸

[@Mindy-s-channel]

when will you see the first blooms from the seedlings planted out in May?

[@Reynaldachavez]

What do you use for slugs? I find out that the slugs love dalias but they can kill the plant also.

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

They do! Just continue to bait them and alternate different brands to keep them from getting used to something!🌸

[@sarahjansen6957]

I have started some dahlias from seed, and they have green leaves with purple veining? Is this normal?

[@rebeccacimarusti8804]

Do your trays have drain holes?

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Yes, they need to be able to drain!

[@juliaickert3469]

Great information but not the best video on the closeup shots!

[@marit4536]

Thank you for learning me all of this!

[@francovlla]

How long does it take for them to grow to three inches? Mine have been alive for about two weeks and are still small.

[@byoung7546]

do you pinch back the seedlings at all, or do you just let them grow? thanks for the great information.

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

They have to be pinched back if they get too lanky!🌸

[@luckychicav7981]

Hello, quick question: do seeded dahlias produce tubers later on at end of season?

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Yes, they will make a small clump the first year!

[@WeatherNut27]

EXCELLENT Video and editing. Appreciate the flash forward all in one from saving to storing to germinating. Great stuff! Thanks guys

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeanettehawkins7472]

Would you recommend the seed for someone wanting cut flower dahlias?

[@SwanIslandDahlias]

You would want dahlia tubers and the varieties recommended for cutting!❤️

[@jayjohnson3724]

You are so fun.

[@joannemurphy7407]

Hello Swan Island! Love your Dahlias and your videos! We grow many of your varieties. I know you say tubers stay true, but we have seen some varieties morph over the years from saved tubers. Have you seen this occur? Thanks!

[@EternalSnoie]

How long do you dry them for and do you use a heat lamp? And when do you begin planting those seeds?

[@jacquelinelykins4485]

I would love to see a picture of your field in full bloom.