Dahlia Cuttings Going black and rotting

[raisedbedted]

Hi,

I've taken my first lot of Dahlia cuttings - from 'Tree Dahlia' tubers.  I striked them two weeks back, cut them close to the tuber, put them in multipurpose compost in a heated propogater.  Since then the bits below the soil have gone black and mushy.  Some people say to take the cutting with a slither of tuber, some say take a nodal cutting, any ideas what I'm doing wrong as I dont want to keep wasting the shoots.

Thanks

[raisedbedted]

[daitheplant]

As with all cuttings, they root from the leaf nodes. So you need to cut about a quarter inch below the leaf axis, that is, were the leaf grows from the stem. Plant the cutting so that the node is just below the compost, don`t have the compost too wet just moist, and you should be fine. ;)

[goodlife]

Rooting powder might be good idea...it will keep the cut surface 'free' from fungal growth attack and encourage rapid rooting.
Some vermiculate mixed in to compost would be good to..it will keep the compost structure 'open' so wet compost doesn't just 'sit' against the 'wounds' and rot the cuttings.
And..although not necessary..some bottom heat from propagator will rush the rooting too.

[BETTY 33]

TRY putting them in silver sand

[RSJK]

As with all cuttings, they root from the leaf nodes. So you need to cut about a quarter inch below the leaf axis, that is, were the leaf grows from the stem. Plant the cutting so that the node is just below the compost, don`t have the compost too wet just moist, and you should be fine. ;)

Not true all cuttings do not root from under leaf nodes  what about Begonia, Streptocarpus  and African Violets which are done by leaf cuttings

[zigzig]

That is so sad. I always gather seeds from mine and they do come good.

People argue with me that you can only get decent dahlias from the corms or cuttings but I always leave a few flowers for seeds and get at least 50% from them. ( Much more I think  but even 50% is all I would claim)

Last year one person whose seeds I asked for and gathered had to ask me for plants because his had failed to survive.  .....He was my biggest critic about seed gathering some years ago.

I never bear a grudge when I am proven correct ...... ;D ;D

Well you can always chuck the seeds away if you don't need them and they don't take up a lot of space.

kiss kiss

[daitheplant]

As with all cuttings, they root from the leaf nodes. So you need to cut about a quarter inch below the leaf axis, that is, were the leaf grows from the stem. Plant the cutting so that the node is just below the compost, don`t have the compost too wet just moist, and you should be fine. ;)

Not true all cuttings do not root from under leaf nodes  what about Begonia, Streptocarpus  and African Violets which are done by leaf cuttings

You are just being pedantic. I will rephrase. 99% of all cuttings root from the leaf nodes.

[raisedbedted]

That is so sad. I always gather seeds from mine and they do come good.

People argue with me that you can only get decent dahlias from the corms or cuttings but I always leave a few flowers for seeds and get at least 50% from them. ( Much more I think  but even 50% is all I would claim)

Last year one person whose seeds I asked for and gathered had to ask me for plants because his had failed to survive.  .....He was my biggest critic about seed gathering some years ago.

I never bear a grudge when I am proven correct ...... ;D ;D

Well you can always chuck the seeds away if you don't need them and they don't take up a lot of space.

kiss kiss

Hey dont shed a tear!

I've grown two packs of Dahlia seeds this year and have circa 150 plants of about 4 inches.  I'm noty expecting show winning blooms from them but enjoy the variety they give.

Unfortunately GW this week did touch a bit on cuttings but didnt really say what potting medium to use / heat to give (going back to old ways so soon).

[sunloving]

Sorry to hear about your cuttings. Its is still early yet unless you are giving them bottom heat.

I find that they do best with  a bit of tuber on and that any that are hollow are to old to root.
I always put a sprinkle of budgie grit in the dibbed hole for each one and use hormone rooting power.
Keep trying they will be worth it :)
x sunloving