Brian, It is incorrect to say the cuttings have to form tubers first. Dahlias are flowering without tubers from cutings. They only make tubers around september when days getting shorter. I also suggest to take basal cuttings from the dahlias as clos as you can cut to the roots. This is necessary because stems are hollow, but at the base not. So they can root. I've tried the cuting methos years ago, and well some of them rooted. Dennis, Dahlias need a lot of food and water, especially the large ones. They are quite a display especially in autumn, when weather cools, they grow bigger flowers if you disbud them. My favourites were White Perfection (if you disbud and keep it well you may have a foot wide flowers), Chat Noir, Vuurvogel, well too much to tell :) Regards, Jan Hungary