I have started some new Tree dahlia's from my own cutting sections, As I remember the new growth will come from the nodes as in your instructions, so the cutting should have 2 nodes. I think orientation matters if you stick it in vertically, not sure if you can tell on your pieces. I have the double purple, which has been blooming since November I think. I would be happy to trade some for a white one. Chad

Lomatia .. I'm in the NSW Southern Tablelands - freezing winter and stinking hot summer (but autumn is nice). A friend has been growing tree dahlias for some years. She has them in an open position which gets full sun. Normally they flower beautifully. But I think the drought is biting hard - they came into growth very slowly this year and just started budding in time for the first frost. Perhaps you might try a different position.

Found out that the dahlia bulb was drowned in potting mix suitable for a dry climate. We haven't had a dry climate this Summer. I purchased some new dahlia tubers and planted them in specialist bulb potting mix. They are growing beautifully. Don't think that I'll get the height ( or maybe even the flowers) this year, but I'm on my way now.

It took a while, but despite the greenhouse height limit, it is blooming.