Yes. All dahlias promote tubers, as that is there root system. I think you will be happy with the karma series, if you are looking for good cutters.

good dahlias,

steve w

Steve,
Thankyou for responding. I kinda figured they did but wanted to make sure. I bought a few Karma Tubers last year and just loved them so I want to get quite a few of the Karmas this year. What time of year do you plant your dahlias in Florida or do you just leave them in the ground? How far apart is a good distance if you are planting them as flowers to harvest for florists? I am thinking you plant them closer than normal to get taller stems. Is that right?

Rita

I start in late January, have plants in the ground by febuary, and my garden is usally shaping up by march.I do alot of cuttings.

I give a foot either way,but i grow more big ones(some growers give two feet!)My seedlings are always tight, and they do fine.

Good dahlias,

steve w
sparr, florida

Steve,
When you say you do alot of cuttings, do you mean you buy the Karmas or you take cuttings during the season from all your dahlia plants?
What are your favorite florist choices for dahlias? Anyone else too, I wonder which dahlias do the florist like the most and which dahlias put out the most florist friendly stems?
I am so ready for spring.
Rita

I take cuttings as they sprout on the bench. I will take 5 or so from each tuber i want more of, then plant the mother tuber. Increases stock greatly.

Dont know about cut, i grow exhibition, but do yourself a favor and try kari fruit salad.

Good dahlias,

steve w
floridadahlias

On average, how many days from planting to blooms for Karmas? Need to be in bloom hopefully in 90 days. Would Karmas meet this requirement?

dahliassouth,
I just googled kari fruit salad and that is one great looking dahlia. thanks for adding another to my want list.

FWIW Karma Dahlias are patented. Propagation is prohibited. That means via cuttings or tubers. When we picked up our cuttings from one of the growers licensed to propagate the Karmas, he informed us that we wouldn't want to reuse the tubers even if they weren't patented. The tubers produced from cuttings have a virus. Karma dahlias from cuttings are certified virus free. They usually start blooming in 60 days. These dahlias are actually intended as a greenhouse crop for the cutflower industry.

So Flowerfarmer, do you then restock your entire Karma supply with newly bought cuttings every year given your volume at various markets? Or how do you keep your Karma supply going?

I'm thinking it must be a very smart virus to only affect the tuber and not the whole plant. Or perhaps a benign virus about which the average grower wouldn't care much. I don't know enough about it to even form an opinion.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Lot of info on Karma Dahlias

Yes, maam. We purchase new Karma dahlia plugs/cuttings every year. The Karma are grown in a 20 x 96 hightunnel (1,104 plants). They produce for us up until the time the dahlias in the field start producing. You may wonder why we don't just use our own dahlias in the hightunnel. Yes? Karma dahlias don't get as bushy. The plants get very tall in the hightunnel. We can consistently depend on at least 12 stems per plant. They produce, produce, produce. Then they're done. The dahlias are removed from the hightunnel; and, we replant a fall crop. Our Karma dahlia production is nowhere near that of large commercial growers who grow 10,000+ plants. Our main dahlia production is field grown on 5 acres.

I'm thinking it must be a very smart virus to only affect the tuber and not the whole plant. Or perhaps a benign virus about which the average grower wouldn't care much. Research into these dahlias is ongoing. I have to say that the cuttings this year look better than last year. Healthy, healthy plants.

The article written by Melanie DeVault was written in 2004. I read the article when it was written two years ago. Did you Google that for me?

Just your "average" grower..........................
Flower Farmer

No, I googled it to see what might be out there about viruses affecting Karma dahlias. It's too bad there isn't more research going on for dahlias diseases in general. I was just curious as to what the virus might do to other dahlias, or if it's Karma specific. Right now I don't have time to delve into it further.

WOuld love to see those Karmas in bloom in your hoop house!