I often grow common dahlias from seed. They reach a height of twenty-four inches and bloom in August when grown in this manner. Dahlias are great for late-season color in pots and borders.
The larger dahlias, often called the dinner-plate variety, are best grown from tubers. These are available for purchase in almost all of the larger warehouse stores and garden centers. The tubers are placed in the ground, and bloom late in the season. The best luck I ever had with the larger dahlias was the year I bought a pre-planted tuber from a local nursery. This year I decided to start a few dahlias in pots to get a jumpstart on their blooming time.
Before I purchase a package of dahlia tubers I check to see that at least a few sprouts are visible. If there is no sign of life, I don’t buy the package.
When I open the package I check to see that all the tubers are firm. Each should have a few purple buds showing, and hopefully some green shoots.
I found six good tubers in my package. Instead of planting each in a separate six-inch pot, I planted all the tubers in one ten inch pot. When the tubers begin to thrive and grow steadily, I will replant each in a separate pot. When all danger of frost is gone I will plant them outdoors. Hopefully, the early start will mean early blooming. I will update their progress in a few weeks.
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 
Dahlia… another favorite of mine!… and you have a head start …that’s a good thing!
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I’m excited whenever I think of these beauties blooming this summer. 🙂
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I have six dahlia’s that are sprouting green leaves survived our harsh winter (TX weather) and hopefully our local rabbits will leave them alone this year. As soon as they had flowers last year our little visitor had a lovely lunch!
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I have provided many a lovely lunch for the bunnies too! 🙂
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Starting dahlias from seed is very interesting! We are in growing zone 6 (Interior British Columbia), and personally speaking, I like the fact that our tuber dahlias don’t appear until late August, early September. That’s because almost all our ‘showy’ perennials are finished, and I have to hunt down late-blooming ones to fill the gap before monks hood, chrysanthemums and asters take over. Late blooming lilies, coneflowers and others do help, but dahlias and gladiolas are great for that reason. I do think I’ll take your advice and see if I can do a dahlia in a pot.
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Hi, Thanks so much for the comment! Let me know how growing in a pot works for you.
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So far I am a dahlia failure.
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Maybe this is the Year of Success! 😀
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Kathy,
Did you plant dahlias this year too ? I have so far heard of growing dahlia from tubers only, never from seeds. So many new things learnt here on this site. I hope you don’t remove any of your old posts in frenzied spring cleaning.
Susie
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