What do you get when you cross patience, petals, and a little bit of chaos? Dahlia breeding.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real process behind breeding your own dahlia varieties — from hand-pollination tips to spotting the traits worth keeping. Whether you’re dreaming of your own exclusive varieties or just curious about how new dahlias are born, this is a peek behind the curtain of one of the most exciting (and unpredictable) parts of flower farming.

You’ll learn:

 Why dahlia breeding is part science, part gamble — and why that’s the fun of it

•  How to hand-pollinate dahlias for more control over your crosses
•  The dominant vs recessive traits that shape form, colour, stem length, and vase life
•  Why keeping records, tagging plants, and growing over multiple years is essential
•  What beginners should focus on first (hint: start small and enjoy the surprises)

I’ll also share how I grow out my own seedlings, what I look for in keepers, and the traits that often don’t make the cut. And if you’re already dreaming of filling your garden with dahlias — including some from my own breeding patch — you’ll want to be on my launch list for November.

Links & Resources

• Breeding Dahlias Blog
• Dahlia propagation Blog
• Register for our weekly newsletter  where you'll get information all out our new season Dahlias for 2026.  Dahlia tuber pre-sale opens 1st November 2025 (dispatch early 2026) & Dahlia breeding seeds release 1st January 2026 — the perfect New Year’s Day start

Let’s Connect

If you loved this episode, leave a review and let me know what you’d like me to cover next. And don’t forget — the best varieties always go fast, so join my list to get first dibs.