Breeding Beauty: Lessons from Growing and Breeding Dahlias with Lorelie at Florelie Farm

As a flower farmer, few things captivate me as much as the art and science of breeding flowers. On a recent episode of the Flower Farmer Forum Podcast, I had the privilege of chatting with Lorelie from Florelie Farm, a specialty cut flower farm in Bungaree, near Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Lorelie’s journey from growing a handful of dahlias to cultivating over 10,000 each season is nothing short of inspiring. Her expertise in breeding and selling these stunning blooms offers valuable insights for flower farmers at any scale.

The Intricacies of Dahlia Breeding

Dahlias are renowned for their genetic diversity, which makes them endlessly fascinating but also notoriously challenging to breed. Lorelie shared how she carefully selects parent plants with specific traits—like unique colors, petal formations, or robust stems—for breeding. Natural pollination is her method of choice, relying on bees to work their magic in the breeding patches.

Once seeds are harvested, the real work begins. Seed saving is a labor-intensive process requiring meticulous record-keeping to track parentage. In fact, less than 2% of seedlings are saved for further evaluation. Over 50% are culled in the second year, and Lorelie is now implementing a four-year trial period to ensure only the best varieties make it to market.

Challenges in Selling Tubers

One of the surprising challenges Lorelie faces is Australia’s strict quarantine laws, which heavily regulate the sale and exchange of tubers. These regulations complicate the process of seed exchange and limit the ability to share her incredible varieties with growers outside the country. Despite these hurdles, she continues to prioritize tuber sales, recognizing their profitability compared to selling fresh flowers.

Customer-Centric Flower Sales

Lorelie emphasized the importance of understanding customer preferences when growing flowers for events and retail. Whether it’s a bride seeking a dreamy pastel palette or a designer looking for bold statement blooms, catering to specific requests ensures success.

Interestingly, Lorelie also highlighted how flower performance can decline over time, making it essential to regularly evaluate and refresh stock. Keeping up with trends and maintaining strong varieties is a balancing act that flower farmers everywhere can relate to.

Marketing Through Social Media

Social media has become an invaluable tool for Lorelie in showcasing her farm and connecting with customers. Platforms like Instagram allow her to share the beauty of her dahlias while educating her audience about the intricacies of flower farming. This approach has helped her build a loyal following and drive sales, especially for her sought-after tubers.

Lessons for Flower Farmers

This conversation with Lorelie left me inspired and armed with practical takeaways:

• Breeding dahlias requires patience, precision, and a deep understanding of genetics.
• Maintaining detailed records is crucial for tracking progress and parentage.
• Adapting to customer preferences and market demands is key to success.
• Social media can amplify your reach and help you connect with flower enthusiasts.

As flower farmers, we are always learning, growing, and innovating. Lorelie’s story is a testament to the passion and dedication it takes to thrive in this field—and the joy that comes from creating beauty, one bloom at a time.