Dahlia Seedling Pictures - 2023

Bessie · 2023-05-25T15:02:05+00:00

First blooming plant from January 18, 2023 seed sowing. Alloway Candy is seed parent, unknown pollen parent.

Laia

Interestingly enough, Hy Whitewings also breaks the probabilities in sometimes producing a slight scent! Like faded roses, or maybe like the hybridized roses that don’t have strong scent, just a hint of scent. Not strong, but a somewhat pleasant and nostalgic scent. It confused me when I first noticed it, and I assumed it must be one of my non-dahlia plants in the area, but it was definitely Hy Whitewings. I didn’t always get the scent from them, but it did happen repeatedly. Not strong enough nor consistent enough to go to the effort of breeding it for that trait, I don’t think, but interesting nonetheless. I find it interesting that you mentioned Ferncliff also produced Hy Scent…I haven’t experienced that one in person, but it makes me wonder if the scent is similar to Hy Whitewing’s. Perhaps they have some genetics for scent floating among their breeding stock…

Laia

Cosey This is a beautiful seedling, like the “Bishop of Dover,” or “Happy Single Princess” singles with dark foliage that first inspired me to want to recreate that in a collarette. I’d love to see if you crossed it with Hy Whitewings, if you’d ever get a collarette from that.

Cosey

Here are a collection of open centers I've decided to keep for another year. I've super stoked about the purple collarette. Finally a collarette on a 4.5' plant, long stick strength stems, upward facing bloom with a solid blossom attachment. Let's hope there are tubers underneath.

Most of these seedlings are the offspring of collarette seed parents.

Laia

Cosey Thanks for sharing these keepers! They are beautiful!!

This year I grew collarette seed from a dahlia friend in England who only grows collarettes, so many of those seedlings were collarettes, with a few I’m happy to be keeping (for my own joy, not show.) I think I’ve figured out how to attach some pictures.

Next year will be my first growing some of my own seed (including the Hy Whitewings pollinated by the single.) If some of the single seedlings that result are as pretty as yours, I’ll be delighted. Looking forward to next season!

If your Hy Whitewings order doesn’t come through, don’t hesitate to let me know!

Laia

Cosey Oh, and I forgot to say, I’d love if you kept us updated on your purple collarette seedling! It has gorgeous dark stems…it looks like the foliage might be on the darker side of green, too? My fingers are crossed that it made good tubers for you, after checking all those other boxes!

Cosey

Laia , I’d be happy to see if it produced enough tubers to divide, and pass on the kindness that was shared with me. 😊

This is so kind! I did order it from Ferncliff. But you never know if your order will be filled until shipping season, so I will wait.

Laia

Cosey Here is a picture (sorry not the best pic) of the Hy Whitewings I grew.

I had two Happy Single First Love plants, and the one in more direct sun got black foliage, while the more shaded one stayed more green foliage, similar to what you see on Hy Whitewings here. Did I understand you right that you found it goes the other direction for some of your dark foliaged dahlias? More sun turns the leaves less dark?

Teddahlia

Cosey, I believe got seeds directly from Dr. Keith Hammett . He has been breeding dark foliage dahlias for over 40 years. He commented some years ago that breeding for dark foliage is not a "straight up" proposition as he believes that the trait is controlled by numerous different genes and that makes it even more difficult to breed them, His Mystic series is the epitome of breeding for dark foliage and using them for seed parents would give one a real head start.

Cosey

Teddahlia His patents protect the seeds (and tubers and plants) from his Mystic series so I don't want to infringe on his intellectual property. I do find them incredibly beautiful and enjoy the fruits of his labor. I was able to get one black foliage seedling from his Beeline seed. Unfortunately it's a poor tuber producer. However, I've been able to collect dark foliage seedlings from another unpatented variety. In fact, the black foliage must have came from the pollen parent since the seed parent has dark green leaves.

In 2024 I will have 3 good (plant and tuber quality) dark foliage seedlings (not quite black.) They do lighten up in full sun. In addition to a handful of Beeline seedlings and possibly that FC variety to plant together. Then we'll see what babies they make. Could be a fools errand but I've got time to make mistakes. 😉. Regardless, I'll enjoy them in my garden bed next to the house.

Laia

Teddahlia Thank you for this! I’m always learning so much from the things you share that I get to read online. I truly appreciate how much you teach & share your knowledge.

Teddahlia

I am not an attorney but I did some research on plant patents few years ago. In the USA the patent keeps you from propagating the patented plant unless you agree to a royalty agreement and pay the royalties. However, the patent does not apply to the seeds of the variety. If the plant was a GMO(genetically modified organism) the gene(s) that were transferred to the host plant to create the new cultivar is(are) patented and the seeds are covered by the patent and you cannot sell the resulting plants without dealing with the royalty issues. Perhaps in New Zealand the laws are more broad and cover seeds from non GMO patented varieties.

Cosey

Teddahlia You are correct. I am thinking of the Monsanto (GMO) debacle with their seeds. I had to look up the differences to reset my brain. Genetically engineered crops would fall under a utility patent (and possibility a plant patent). Then there is the Plant Patent and the Plant Variety Patent. (Could they have named them any more similar?!)

I am most definitely not a lawyer.

Krista

Pretty, Laia! Looking forward to following along on your hybridizing journey, thanks for sharing these pics.

Cosey

Laia Did I understand you right that you found it goes the other direction for some of your dark foliaged dahlias

Laia Did I understand you right that you found it goes the other direction for some of your dark foliaged dahlias

That was the case I observed in my field on seedlings (same seed parent). I'll have to pay extra attention next year. It was something I noted when I was trimming branches out of my aisle this fall.

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