Last year, after years of behind-the-scenes work, we started offering virus-tested tissue culture rooted dahlia cuttings alongside our large collection of dahlia tubers. This summer at the farm, we have a large section of our fields that is growing dahlias that were started from rooted cuttings, as well as over 800 varieties that were grown from tubers.
Have you ever wondered whether dahlia tubers or rooted cuttings are best for you to grow in your garden? The best way for you to make this decision is to really understand how tubers and rooted cuttings compare.
Comparing Tubers and Rooted Cuttings
Similarities
Dahlias from rooted cuttings and dahlias from tubers have a lot of things in common:
- Both make flowers that look just like their mother plants.
- Both dahlias grown from tubers and dahlias grown from rooted cuttings will bloom the first year (although often the rooted cuttings will bloom earlier!).
- Both will need staking.
- Both benefit from pinching.
- Both require 8+ hours of full sun.
- Neither can tolerate frost or freezing temperatures.
Key Differences
Dahlia tubers and rooted dahlia cuttings also have some key differences:
- Both produce a tuber clump the first year you plant them, but a tuber-planted dahlia will produce a bigger clump of tubers that can be divided while a rooted cutting will produce a much smaller clump of tubers that usually shouldn’t be divided the first year.
- Dahlia tubers are fully formed “tuberous roots” that can be stored over winter, but rooted dahlia cuttings have only developed fibrous roots, and they need to be planted and tended for several months until they form tubers that can be stored.
- Tubers are shipped dormant. Rooted cuttings are shipped with living foliage.
- Tubers can be planted immediately after receipt in spring, but cuttings will need a few days to harden off before they can be planted.
- At planting, tubers shouldn’t be watered until you see green growth. Rooted cuttings need regular watering from the outset.
After you understand the options, consider your gardening goals and growing conditions (especially your growing zone/season length and soil situation), and you’ll be ready to make the best decision for your dahlia garden.
Truthfully, growing dahlias from rooted cuttings and growing them from tubers are BOTH really wonderful ways to grow these beautiful flowers. At Triple Wren, we’re working diligently to bring you healthy, vibrant dahlia products that all make amazing cut flowers.
With over half of our dahlia varieties earning royalties for their creators as part of our Legacy Collection, we are so proud of the way we share beauty. We are passionate about doing good in the dahlia industry by not only the way we grow, but by the way we help others grow, and we are so grateful for the part you play in making all of this possible!
If you have specific questions, we’ve written a lot about rooted cuttings on our blog (see links below!), and if those don’t give you enough information, you’re always welcome to reach out to our Customer Service Team for more information about Triple Wren’s dahlia tubers and rooted cuttings.
Do you have more questions?
If you have specific questions, we’ve written a lot about rooted cuttings on our blog (see links below!), and if those don’t give you enough information, you’re always welcome to reach out to our Customer Service Team for more information about Triple Wren’s dahlia tubers and rooted cuttings.