Petals of Positivity: Flourishing with Dahlia Tips on Social Media

By Steve K. Lloyd

Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved

• Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Dahlia Growers

From their origins in the mountainous regions of Mexico and Central America, dahlias made their way to Europe and beyond over 200 years ago. Since then growers have created hybrid flower forms and colors that scarcely resemble their ancestors.

But for years, this gorgeous flower faded in popularity, competing with roses, sweet peas, and sunflowers. But in the past few decades, dahlias have enjoyed a resurgence among hobby gardeners in the United States.

It’s interesting, but not surprising, that dahlia fame has grown along with the increase in social media. Dahlias are photogenic, we all know that. And from Instagram to YouTube and Twitter (now X) to Facebook, dahlias are everywhere.

The Internet has transformed the way we find and absorb information. Social media takes that even further, with "influencers" and YouTubers and groups that provide a highly visible platform for spreading information—good or bad—to the far reaches of the planet.

However, there are benefits and hazards if we rely on the Internet, especially social media, for accurate information about dahlia growing and care. So, how can we sort fact from fiction in the fast-growing world of dahlia cultivation?

• Find accurate, science-based dahlia information.

From the beginning, the Internet offered anonymity. People could be anything they wanted online, assume any persona, or make any claim. 

The most reprinted New Yorker magazine cartoon of all time, shows a floppy-eared canine sitting at a computer, telling his buddy, "On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog." 

For the dahlia grower seeking answers on social media, we would do well to keep that cartoon in mind.

How can we increase our chances of finding accurate, scientifically sound Dahlia growing advice on the Internet? How can we evaluate the gardening answers and recommendations on social media? 

Here are some tips that can guide our approach:

• Verify the source's credentials: Does the contributor have a history of successful dahlia cultivation?

• Cross-reference information with reputable gardening books, websites, or experts.

• Consider the context: Is the advice suitable for your specific climate, soil conditions, and gardening goals?

• Look for consensus: Do multiple experienced growers endorse the information?

• Evaluate the quality of the accompanying photos and videos? Do they provide clear evidence of successful practices?

Assessing the academic and professional qualifications of someone whose advice you seek is straightforward—off the Internet. An attorney, a medical doctor, or a psychologist displays their advanced degree on the office wall. A university professor and a financial planner may have letters after their name denoting a university degree or professional certification in their field. 

But how qualified is "DahliaLuv123"? (Note: I made that up—my apologies to the real DahliaLuv123 if there is one.)

On several Facebook dahlia groups, the administrators have identified a handful of contributors as "Group experts". When these experienced growers respond to a question, you can trust their replies are reasonably accurate.

• What’s a Group Expert or Top Contributor anyway?

Don't confuse the "Group Expert" designation with a "Top Contributor" which may simply mean they post more often than others. Frequent posts can show dahlia knowledge—many experienced growers are generous with their time and expertise, and go out of their way to assist less savvy members.

But members who post a lot of questions or who make frequent comments like "Fabulous!" or "Love this!" may also be a “Top Contributor”. While there’s nothing wrong with appreciating another’s lovely blossoms, merely posting a lot on Facebook does not make someone an expert!

It quickly becomes apparent that growers have developed multiple ways of doing everything. Sometimes, the methods are very different but often there are only subtle distinctions. As you read social media posts about dahlia growing and care, try to discern where recommendations overlap.

For example, we all know dahlias need water to grow. Many garden books describe them as "thirsty plants", a term also used to describe tomato plants and melon vines. However, newly planted dahlia tubers lack a root system to facilitate soil moisture uptake. If dahlia tubers are kept too wet after planting, they can quickly rot before they ever have the chance to grow. So which is it? Do my dahlias need water, or don't they? The answer is yes.

It is the responsibility of the person asking to parse the context of what they're asking, interpret answers critically, and combine that information with common sense and gardening knowledge from other sources to arrive at a trustworthy solution.

• Watch out for novice-expert dahlia gardeners.

One more example to illustrate my point about evaluating dahlia-related photos and videos that often accompany gardening tips on the Internet. 

I watched a YouTube video with a catchy title, something like "The Easiest Way to Grow Dahlias from Cuttings". The video was filmed by a young father in what appeared to be his nicely landscaped backyard. A row of flowering dahlias bloomed prettily along the fence. The short film showed Dad teaching his young son, a boy of perhaps five, how to propagate dahlias through cuttings. So far, so good.

But then the instruction began. The extent of Dad's propagation technique was to take a pair of snips and cut off a 12-inch (30 cm) growing tip from one of the dahlia plants. He handed the tip to his son, who was then prompted to stick the cut end of the shoot into a pot filled with garden soil. With that done, the narration concluded, "There! You now have another dahlia! Wasn't that easy?"

No mention was made of the science behind vegetative propagation. No discussion of timing or sanitation rooting medium or humidity domes. No matter how well-intentioned this fellow may have been, anyone following those steps would almost certainly be doomed to failure.

• Social media can be great for new dahlia growers.

Beginning gardeners often arrive on Facebook groups with relief that they have found a community that shares their passion, teeming with like-minded folks ready to help them at every step of their dahlia journey. The advantage of getting real-time advice, community support, photos, and helpful links can be huge.

Questions about dahlia growth and propagation are regularly discussed on social media. Each time, people chime in with many of the same answers and opinions—and that can be confusing.

A recent example involved a person on the Dahlia Growers Facebook group whose tubers were becoming moldy in storage. Two well-known, experienced dahlia growers posted suggestions that were nearly the opposite of each other. 

One person who stores their tubers in sealed plastic boxes over the winter said that tubers need to be dry when placed in storage (correct), but after they've dried, they are okay being sealed in an airtight container (unclear). 

The competing expert claimed that tubers must be able to exchange air in storage, and they will rot if sealed in a container (sometimes, but not always).

Similar disagreements arise all the time. The hard truth is what works for one person, with their dahlias in their growing zone, with their conditions, won't work as well for someone in different circumstances. Folks should listen to experts but understand that dahlias can be successful using many methods. There is almost always more than one correct answer to any dahlia question.

• How can dahlia growers enhance the accuracy of online information?

There are several excellent, science-based books about dahlias that should be part of any serious grower's reference library. Check out the American Dahlia Society for verified information and look for local dahlia societies. These groups can be a great way to meet and interact with growers who often have many years of experience and are happy to share what they've learned.

Depending upon where you live, agricultural extension services, botanical gardens, and well-respected plant nurseries can offer guidance on general gardening practices, although they may not always be dahlia experts.

As you learn more about dahlias and accumulate your knowledge about what works and what doesn't, look for ways to give back to the gardening community. Join some of the active dahlia groups if you enjoy social media and look for ways to share what you've learned humbly and respectfully. 

Best of all, share tubers or cuttings with friends and neighbors and offer to help them get started. Having someone to help IRL (in real life) can be so much better than seeking advice from strangers on the Internet!