Topic: Dahlia tubers

[quizzical1]

I've just yesterday started to tidy the greenhouse ready for planting/sowing etc., and I found a pack of Dahlia Tubers (Bishop of Llandaff) under the bench, which the OH bought but never planted.

Do you think it would be worth trying to plant them this year or have they "had it"?

They don't look to be rotted or anything, just a bit shrivelled up.

[caroline7758]

I would have a go- I forgot about some I'dbought last year and they were quite shrivelled but still produced some flowers.

[laurieuk]

I would stand them in a tray and cover with damp compost, you should soon see if they start to form buds at the top of the tuber, then you can decide if it is worth planting them.

[flowerlady]

At what stage would you reccomend splitting the tubers?

[teresa]

I just put some of mine in trays with damp compost, just make sure its frost proof just in case. they should start in a week or two showing signs of life. As for splitting them, you can take cuttings from the shoots ( have not done it myself) or I just let the tuber split naturaly when big enough.

[caroline7758]

Took mine out of the vermiculite they were stored in today. They weren't particularly good plants & at least one had some blue mouldy bits on- is it worth potting them up?

[laurieuk]

You can divide them as soon as you can see new growth buds.

At what stage would you reccomend splitting the tubers?

Provided they are still firm they should be OK to start. I do not put mine in anything during the winter months, so that they are dry and no dampness is in contact with them.

Took mine out of the vermiculite they were stored in today. They weren't particularly good plants & at least one had some blue mouldy bits on- is it worth potting them up?

[Tee Gee]

There is a bit on dahlia culture here;

Bedding Dahlias;http://tinyurl.com/2w8qeu

and Disbud Dahlias here; http://tinyurl.com/2lbqtn

[triffid]

Tee Gee, thanks for the links. That's a neat little tip on tuber storage about drilling a hole through the base of the old stem. Probably widely known, but I'm definitely on L-plates when it comes to dahlias. :)