“Virus Freer” Dahlia Tubers
Why buying Virus Free Dahlias can make a difference in your garden.
Dahlias growers across the United States face challenges from numerous viruses that impact plant health, growth, survival, and flower quality. We are striving to provide you with “Virus Freer” dahlias for your garden.
With Virus Free tubers you will enjoy Dahlias with enhanced Growth and Longevity
Dahlias free of Virus produce more robust plants that thrive in your garden, bringing stunning flowers season after season.
The Difference is Visible
Healthy Tubers produce vibrant plants with deep green foliage and vigorous, early growth. Compare the leaf growth from tubers that are VIRUS free vs a group infected with TSV.
Example of sprouting dahlia tubers that are free of dahlia mosaic (DMV), tobacco streak (TSV), and tomato spotted wilt viruses (TSWV). These tubers sprout early, with high survival, and grow vigorously.
Verses these tubers infected with Tobacco streak virus (TSV), which show poor survival and stunted growth.
Note: these tubers were started on the same date as the virus free tubers.
Compare the Health of Cuttings
The first image is taken from completely virus free mother tubers, compared to those infected with Dahlia mosaic virus, or infected with TSV and DMV.
Cuttings taken from completely virus free mother tubers are greener and more robust. Note: all cuttings were started on the same date
Cuttings infected with dahlia mosaic virus (DMV). Note the paler leaves and stunted growth compared to DMV negative plants.
Cuttings infected with both Tobacco streak virus (TSV) and DMV. Note more spindly growth and some leaf distortion compared to the DMV negative plants.
Virus Free tubers have high potential to produce more robust plants that will thrive in your garden, bringing stunning flowers season after season. When you buy virus free tubers, the trick is how can you keep them virus free in your garden.
Recognizing Virus Symptoms
Distorted &/or discolored leaves—wonky flowers. Understanding the signs of viral infection can help you identify issues early and ensure your garden stays healthy.
Dahlia Mosaic Viruses: Mottling, leaf distortion and stunted plants.
Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV): Subtle discoloration or stunted growth.
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV): Spotted or concentric ring patterns on leaves.
Dahlia mosaic viruses
(DCMV/DMV)
Tobacco streak virus (TSV)
Tomato spotted wilt
virus (TSWV)
Wonky flowers caused by TSV and DMV. vs Healthy on right.
Symptoms of dahlia viruses often overlap, and frequent co-infection makes specific virus identification even harder without expensive testing. The first photo above is characteristic of the Dahlia mosaic viruses with the mottling and leaf distortion. The second image is from a plant infected with only TSV, The third image is a classic example of TSWV with its spotted and concentric rings. And the fourth photo is suppose to be Fairway Spur but it looks nothing like it because of the viruses it is infected with. Gardening practices to protect your garden from viruses.
Primary viruses currently infecting dahlias in the USA.
*Pers. comm. from Agdia, incidence of positive tests for the 5-yr period 2017-2022. Agdia reported the TSV prevalence of 31.2% The 31.2% incidence of TSV is from 2022.. Agdia, Inc, Elkhart, IN.
¥ Roelke (unpubl. data) – ~40-60% of USA grown tubers have tested positive for TSV (2022-2024), while in 2024 only 11% of 80 Holland grown tubers were positive. **Different mosaic species from the endogenous plant pararetroviral sequence (DvEPRS, DMV-D10). ***Major disease outbreak in shipped dahlia cuttings in spring of 2022, infected with both TSWV and thrips, expect to see this virus incidence rise in Dahlias.
Our Mission is to Provide Healthier Dahlias, Virus Freer!
Dahlias across the United States face challenges from viruses that impact plant health, growth, and flower quality.
At Windstone Farm, we are committed to growing exceptional dahlia tubers by combining loving care with cutting-edge plant science. Our dedication ensures you’ll receive healthy, vibrant tubers to bring beauty and joy to your garden.
While we’re not yet offering "Certified Virus-Free" dahlias, our rigorous testing and clean gardening practices have achieved remarkable results. Over the past two growing seasons, our field-grown tubers have maintained exceptionally low virus infection rates:
Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV): Only 1% infected in both 2023 and 2024.
Dahlia Mosaic Viruses (DMVC/DMV): 3.3% (2023) and 12% (2024) infection rates.
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) 0% for both 2023 and 2024
Our system prioritizes clean, healthy stock to provide you with tubers that are “Virus Freer” and set the standard for quality.
Your garden will benefit by starting with virus freer tubers and your diligence, clean gardening practices and culling sick plants to prevent spread of viruses so you can grow your dream garden that is an abundant beautiful dahlia garden bursting with color and delight. Here is a tip page on how to protect your dahlias from viral infections.