Dahlia seed

For me growing from seed is the most exciting bit of growing Dahlias!!!

There is a mix of bee and hand pollinated seed, I tend to help the waterlily varieties as they can be a little short on number and probability.

There is always too much seed to sow and it becomes a bit of a double edged sword. 

How many seedlings you have room for and can care for.

Then how good are are about letting the inferior plants go. 

The reality being every single seed is new dahlia of varying form.

I look for health, vigor, petal count and of course the bloom, whether it be for exhibition, garden or the cut flowers. I'm looking at the three year long game.

My seeds are started the first week in April, they grow fast and strong extremely quickly, so I am looking to get them in the ground as early as possible after the frosts.

 They are planted 30 cms apart and as they bloom any singles apart from the garden varieties are pulled. 

This allows more space for the others to get up and going.

The only time I don't pull is if something hasn't had the space or enough water as it's hot. petal count is formed when that bud is an embryo, if it hasn't had adequate water it will have blown centers down to poor petal production.

Chances of a fully double flower from my seed is pretty, high due to not growing single or collarettes on the plot, but genetics and production factors will factor into a majority being single or few layer petal types.