Spur leaves: There is a genetic trait in dahlias that causes the flower to have a solid stem instead of a hollow one , fewer rows of florets, extreme plant height and lastly, numerous spur leaves on the stem. The flowers are generally waterlily in form and Rawhide is one with the trait although there are many old time varieties that had this genetic trait.
I considered using the trait for breeding and Aaron Ridling's Wicked Witch was given to us. I believe it grew 12 feet tall in his garden but only 10 feet in ours. I decided that using it for breeding was not advisable.
The issue of spur leaves on a stem has only come up once or twice in my decades of judging. My theory is that wise exhibitors shave them off and say a bug bit the stem if asked. The times one or two were still there , the entry generally got a blue ribbon but no higher awards. I believe if the spur leaf is small and does not detract from the outline of the entry, it is not a negative.
I believe that the prejudice against spur leaves may be related to the genetic trait above and generally the flowers are not even close to show quality.
