Triple Wren Farms, a name synonymous with the breathtaking beauty of dahlias, stands at the forefront of dahlia cultivation and hybridization. This family-run farm not only grows an astonishing array of dahlia flowers but also is involved in educating and inspiring gardeners and florists alike through their Novice Hybridizer and Legacy programs. In this blog post, we'll touch on the fascinating journey from saving dahlia seeds to choosing the right seeds, starting them, and engaging in Triple Wren Farms' unique hybridization initiatives. Learn more at triplewrenfarms.com
Do You Know Where to Start Your Flower Seeds?
How do you choose whether to start seeds indoors or wait and start them outside? There are a few key things to consider when making this decision.
Light. Seeds that need light to germinate can be difficult to direct sow. The wind can easily blow them away, but a controlled environment lets us protect surface-sown seeds. If a seed must be covered by soil to germinate, it’s a better candidate for direct sowing.
Temperature. Seeds that germinate at the soil temperatures which naturally exist outside in our climate can be direct sown, but if we need a colder or warmer soil temperature for germination, we choose to start indoors on a heat mat or the cool barn or basement.
Size. Very small seeds produce very small seedlings, and a blustery early-spring environment can be too harsh. If seeds needs extra growing time in a controlled environment to “beef up,” we start indoors. Caution: don’t baby your seedlings too much, or they’ll never be strong enough to weather the weather. We start the hardening-off process in a passive solar greenhouse as soon as possible to prevent stretching and to promote root growth in cooler growing temperatures.
Time to maturity. If a variety needs a longer growing period than my seasonality allows, I will start indoors to give the seedlings extra growing time before planting in the field after our last late-April frost.
Availability/Difficulty. I am more protective of very precious seeds. If seeds are hard to obtain, if they are extra-tricky to germinate, or even if I just want to observe and “love on them” a little more, I’ll choose to start indoors.
Written by Triple Wren Farms
How We Grow Dahlias from Seed
We hybridize and save our own dahlia seed each year, then plant it the next season to develop new dahlias. (It looks a lot like zinnia seed, and it is planted in a similar way.) We start our seeds in late winter in the greenhouse, 1 seed per 4” pot. We only plant 1 seed per pot because we want to keep each new hybrid’s tubers separated from others at harvest time. After about 30 days of growth, we have beautiful seedlings with nice feeder roots. But after 65-70 days of growth, the seedlings begin to produce baby tubers. It’s the most magical thing!!! Written by Sarah Pabody
Want to learn more about growing dahlias? Connect with The Garden: a positive online membership community offered by Triple Wren Farms.
The Art of Saving Dahlia Seed
Have you ever tried your hand at saving dahlia seeds? It's a fascinating endeavor. As you get more into it, you'll find that seasoned dahlia enthusiasts have their special techniques for harvesting seeds—methods that have led to the breathtaking hybrids we all love and admire.
Think about it: where do your favorite dahlias come from? Who are the green-thumbed pioneers who bred the first tubers, and what secret processes did they use? And here’s something to ponder—why do dahlias even bother producing seeds and flowers when they can propagate so effortlessly from their roots? This curiosity adds an extra layer of intrigue to the already captivating world of growing dahlias, making it an endlessly interesting topic for anyone who loves these stunning blooms.
Triple Wren Farms is renowned for its love affair with dahlias, dedicating every moment to nurturing these plants through all seasons. Beyond simply cultivating these stunning blooms, the farm is deeply committed to spreading positivity within the gardening community. In 2019, Triple Wren introduced the Legacy Dahlia Program, aiming to spotlight the unique varieties developed by incredibly talented breeders. The farm has nurtured close relationships with these individuals, ensuring they receive royalties for every sale, embodying the spirit of collaboration and support within the dahlia-loving community.
Are you interested in growing dahlias but unsure how to begin? Steve and Sarah have crafted the perfect course for you. It's designed for anyone looking to dive into the world of dahlias, from first-timers to those who've tried before without the success they hoped for.
We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Steve and Sarah for their incredible contribution to The Flower Podcast. Their insights are greatly valued, and we're grateful for the opportunity to share their knowledge and passion with our audience. We encourage all of our listeners to visit Steve and Sarah's guest pages and to listen to previous episodes. There, you'll discover a wealth of information about dahlias and the beautiful work being done at Triple Wren Farms. It's a wonderful way to connect further with the stories and expertise that Steve and Sarah have shared with us.
“There is so much hope for those of us who’ve capitulated to the grind, whether in the flower farming world or in any other realm of (especially small) business, and part of that hope for me personally includes the opportunity to impact others for good. I want to help new farmers learn to grow well, to mentor them in good business practices, but also to help them be wise as they plan their future and to show them by example what good self care looks like.”
Sarah Pabody
