[Saint-Leau]

Hi, I've just moved to Brittany from Scotland where I used to grow dwarf Dahlias from seed, and they grew like weeds.  I naturally thought that it would be even easier to grow them here but they are terrible.  I have used seeds purchased from Marshalls (my usual supplier) and a universal seed compost.  I keep the seed trays in a cold frame and other stuff, such as tomatoes, cosmos and cabbages.  Does anybody out there have any ideas please?

[arugula]

Hi and welcome! I've moved your question into the gardening board for the flower experts to see, but feel free to pop back into welcome to tell us more about yourself.

[Debz]

It's probably because it is so b****Y cold here in comparison to France everything takes at least three times as long to germinate.

[arugula]

I understood the problem was they grow well in Scotland and not in France?

[Debz]

My apologies.  I read it the wrong way round and interpreted it as moving from France to Scotland.  If it's not the cold of the Scotland, then it must be that Scottish water is so much better and that is why they grow so well here.

[arugula]

I wondered if it was something to do with the water or perhaps soil composition, pH etc, but I was hoping to hear from our Dahlia experts....