Topic: dahlia ooops

[moonbells]

I bought a fantastic dahlia at a plant fair yesterday, then snapped off a stem (and half-snapped another) in trying to get the silly thing (yard-high) out of the car.

Not happy. But do have a nice, non-hollow shoot from the top of the snapped stem.

How does one root them please? Only time I've ever tried before, the shoots all rotted off. Dryish compost? Gritty? Rooting hormone?

moonbells

[sandersj89]

I would use a gritty open compost, this can be purpose bought stuff or mix up your own from general purpose adding wash sand, grit and perlite.

Dip the tip of the shoot in hormone powder, remove some of the leaves if it looks like the cutting will be stressed and then insert the end of the cutting into the compost to about 2 to 3 cm.

Keep the compost just moist and place in a bright spot but not direct sunlight and rooting should be in 2 to 3 weeks. Watch out for fungus attack around the base of the cutting and water with Cheshunt if it is a problem.

However, at this time of year it wont make a huge tuber to carry over to next year I fear.

Jerry

[moonbells]

Thanks Jerry. I don't think it can have the chance of a large tuber either, but I figure there's two hopes... !

moonbells

[Admin aka Dan]

test

[dandelion]

It works :D!

[Admin aka Dan]

Ugh, that was a long 18 hours - glad to be back.

Cheers

Dan

[dandelion]

Just noticed, Dan: got the topic reply email from your last post, but it doesn't give me the unsubscribe option as usual (I've done it via my profile).

[Robert_Brenchley]

What went wrong? I gort so frustrated I went on eBay (fatal mistake) and found a couple of Postumus coins I wanted.