First attempt at Dahlia cuttings. Advice needed

Hi JohnJess, No need to apologies for your questions. Your tubers will be fine as long as there is some compost that can be kept a little moist. Don't put the propagators lid on you can take the tubers out from the propagator if they have started to shoot as you will need the propagator to root the cuttings, unless you have space in the propagator for bot the tubers and cuttings. You don't really want the tubers in with the lid on as they can rot. As the weeks go on the tubers will produce more cuttings without the bottom heat and you will need the space in your propagator anyway. Make sure you water your tubers keeping the compost moist try to avoid excess moisture around the necks of the tubers. Don't be in a rush its still early days.

Have you looked on the National Dahlia web site there is a link to our Facebook page were you can ask any questions and you will get a response or many responses on there and read other posts. Hope this has helped JohnJess

Johnjess don't worry about getting in a tray into your propagator just use small square pots with a 50/50 mix of sharp sand and peat or compost rubbed together with enough moisture to just hold it together. Your cuttings are then just inserted down the side of the pot with a lable then the pot can be placed in your propagator then you can lift it out as you require

Hi Johnjess, you'll need to able to control the heat under your cuttings.  Without a thermostat, you won't be able to achieve this.  You will need to have a temperature of around 16'C under your plants, and a fine spray bottle.

Hi Johnjess, if you have a thermometer check the temperature with the lid on and the lid off. those propagators are preset to a temp probably 18-20C which will be ok. You do not need to put sand in the propagator if you are only planning on doing few of each cuttings then the small square pots are ideal using the mix 50/50 mix as before. Yes you can use the powder rooting compound as we get later on taking cuttings you will find they will root without indeed there are many that root without. As my understudy says JD a atomizer to spray the cutting periodically is required. If the cuttings you are taking have large leaves these are better reduced to reduce transpiration (loss of moisture from the cutting through the leaf)you want the cutting to remain turgid. Now once your cuttings are rooted they really don't need to go back into the propagator place them on the bench if room some place them on heat for a couple of days but that isn't necessary. May your brush with the Dahlia become a real obsession just remember the bug will bite and when it does then your holed. Good luck and all the best. Where are you based? the National Dahlia society has there AGM on the 19 March Sunday held in Kenilworth where there will be plants available to buy,lectures and a chance to meet like minded Dahlia Nuts, well some aren't like minded they are described as others. The Northern Committee of the National Society holds its AGM on the Saturday 25th March at Crooklands near Kendal (Similar to the National AGM but ours is better)lots more plants available and friendlier advice. You will be more than welcome to join us and I am sure someone will take you subs off of you. Ian