Cactus Dahlias

Coming in a number of forms Cactus Dahlias are usually divided up into main 2 groups, with a third being the addition of fimbriated ray florets. In general the the petals are 'spiked' in appearance a little like a cactus. The cactus types having narrower petals than the semi-cactus types.

• Cactus dahlias
  These have fully double flowers, the ray florets are pointed in most cases, long and narrow with a twist in them of around 70%. The ry florets are either straught or incurved
• Semi cactus dahlias
  Similar to the above except with only a slight twist in the ray florets to 25%
• Fimbriated cactus dahlias
  As above with the tips of the ray florets split to create a frilly effect. (pictured above right)

The history of Cactus dahlias is a little blurred, said to originated from the cultivar Dahlia juarezii and was first hybridized in Utrecht, Holland. This itself is said to have originated from the species D. popenovii (syn. D. coccinea) originally from Mexico.

Cactus types fall into dahlia classification Group 8 (Cactus Dahlias) and Group 9 (Semi Cactus Dahlias)

You may also be interested in :