The Relationship Between Rooting of Dahlia Cuttings and the Presence and Type of Bud

Dahlia cuttings with actively growing buds are relatively hard to root as compared with those having non-growing or inhibited buds. In cuttings containing buds which sprouted during the rooting period, an inverse relationship was found between rooting percentage and growth rate of buds. Reproductive buds suppress rooting more than vegetative ones. Removing the growing terminal, parts of the cuttings (vegetative or reproductive) increased rooting percentage of cuttings. It is suggested that growing buds may affect rooting of cuttings in two opposed directions. The first is inhibition of rooting by competing with the roots for metabolites and the second is promotion of rooting by enhancing cambial activity.