Breeding a giant single

[mattolo]

Has this been done? If not I wouldn't mind having a go (when I have the space to grow out all the seedlings).
Would it be a question of crossing a giant flowered double with a single and then hopefully finding the 1 in a 1000 that was single and giant?
I am thinking sunflower sized

[mattolo]

Does nobody like the singles?

[markb]

It would seem not, mattolo. Don't quite know how to get a giant single but even with your suggested cross anything could happen. Even when crossing giant doubles with one another you will get a mixture of seedlings. Only thing I can say is to experiment and see what happens.

I tend not to grow seedlings any more as I want to concentrate on my exhibition plants which tend to be neglected once the seedlings start flowering as you check these first to see if any have flowered. Bit like having Christmas every day then!!!

[mattolo]

It seems strange (to me) that this hasn't been attempted. I don't see why,from a genetic point of view,this cannot be done.Dahlias are very variable.
I suppose nobody has an interest to see it done.For my part, I would like to see a single as big as football. ;D

[marynz]

I have seen one. I think it got tossed.

[mattolo]

That's a shame,get them to toss it in my direction next time

[mattolo]

Feb 20, 2013 4:39:25 GMT marynz said:

I have seen one. I think it got tossed.

Was it a big'un?

[marynz]

Yes, a huge white starry Dahlia with 8 pointed petals. Of course the centre is small, so an enormous Dahlia does not have a sunflower look, even when it is sunflower sized.

[mattolo]

It sounds fab ;D

[mattolo]

Were the long petals able to support themselves? Or did they flop under their own weight like the wings of a large glider? ;D

[marynz]

They held up fine on the plant. It was in a seedling patch. I don't know how they would have gone in a vase.