Things You'll Need:
- Sharp sheers
- Sharp knife
- Soil
- Rooting hormone
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Step 1
Propagate dahlias by dividing. Cut the root that connects the parent plant to its offspring. Then dig a hole for the offspring plant in a different location so that it can start growing on its own.
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Step 2
Cut the additional bulbs or tubers that grow on the side of the parent. This keeps a large mass of tubers from becoming too thick and allows the gardener to have more tubers to start new dahlia plants without paying for new tubers. Thinning the tubers will also keep the plants healthier.
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Step 3
Take a leaf cutting to propagate dahlias. When the groups of cells that form the tip of any growth shoot on a plant, or meristems, are visible, one can take a leaf cutting. Remove the leafstalk with a sharp pair of shears or a sharp knife. Be sure to remove the stem close to the leaf base. Cut across many of the larger veins on the leaf's underside with a sharp knife. Be sure not to cut all the way through the leaf. Brush a little rooting hormone on the cut veins to encourage new roots to form.
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Step 4
Grow dahlias from seed. They do best in the first week of March and in 10-row trays filled with a seed starting mix. Plant the dahlia seeds about an inch apart and cover them with ΒΌ inch of soil. When the young plants have 2 or more sets of true leaves, transplant them.
