Cultivating Curiosity

Delve into the richly rewarding world of dahlia growing and discover the joy of creating something truly unique. In this beautifully written guide, flower farmer and breeder Rebecca McConnell invites you to slow down, observe deeply, and engage with the remarkable diversity of dahlias grown from seed.With practical wisdom, grounded science, and a generous dose of inspiration, 'Cultivating Curiosity' equips gardeners of all levels to embark on their own creative journey, whether dreaming of homegrown floral beauty, breeding unique cultivars to share, or simply seeking a more mindful connection with nature.Learn how to collect and germinate seed, assess your seedlings, hybridise with intention, and record your discoveries, all while nurturing your own sense of wonder. This is more than a gardening book; it’s a thoughtful companion guide for anyone curious about possibility, beauty, and the delight of growing unique dahlias of their own.Cultivating Your CuriosityGrowing and nurturing plants is one of life’s simple joys. Gardening helps us transcend the distractions of a busy mind, and can effortlessly place us in a flow state of mental clarity. The astonishment felt when a tiny seed germinates, or when a cutting strikes can feel miraculous. And the beauty of a bloom like a dahlia, like art or music, touches us in a way which can be beyond words.Furthermore, the full circle process of cultivating and nurturing plants through to maturity, and the inevitability of letting go at end of season, deepens our acceptance of the impermanence of life.Imagine, then, the sheer delight for being responsible for a brand new dahlia coming into existence. Stewarding a dahlia bloom unlike any other, that has a distinct genetic code, and that has never existed anywhere else. Unlike most other flowers, this is what happens when you collect and grow dahlia seed. In this book, I’ll explain not only why this is, but how you can participate in and artfully guide this natural process. In the typical hustle bustle of our modern life, there is immeasurable benefit in slowing down and being present, and in spending time with nature. Paying attention to something as simple as a dahlia flower not only gets us out of our heads, but allows us to pay close attention to the minutiae and the details of natural beauty. Out of the seeming chaos of blending two remarkably complex genetic codes, we can learn to observe, and to lean into the unknowing and surrender to possibility. You will encounter a recurring theme throughout this book, that of finding your own way, just as each new dahlia seedling does. Define your own goals, set your own assessment criteria, and do things to suit your own workflow and goals. I will give cues and suggest options, and offer insight to the way that works for me, but in every garden with its own idiosyncrasies, you need to learn to pay attention and make your own choices. Take time to slow down and observe and indulge your curiosity. I will relate my own dahlia growing story in the final chapter of this book, but I’m certainly not alone in having found dahlias to be an extra special plant to grow. Whatever your knowledge or experience level in growing dahlias, I hope as you read through the pages of this book, and try your hand at growing them from seed, that you discover an even deeper appreciation for how unique dahlias are, and the extraordinary variations that are possible in their blooms. And as your understanding and ability to observe the nuance between each new dahlia grows, I do hope you find that it does indeed cultivate your curiosity even further.