somebody left the allotments and left a full bed 22'x5' of dahlia tubers, the guy who took his plot over dug them up and put them in the communal grrenhouse , in case he wanted them..this was 3 months ago, they did get frosted before the greenhouse heater was switched on.
Are they viable tubers, they're quite big with lots of small ones offshooting..what's the odds of someone being able to get them to grow(not me, by the way) as there are a few new folks ?
do we have to do aything with them?
we all know nowt about them ;D
Usually the tubers turn black and go squishy if they are frosted so if they look pale strawy colour and feel firm they are probalby still OK. Tubers should have a piece of stem attached if they are to grow but otherwise the clumps can be divided up to produce many plants.
thanks, eristic, they all still seem firm.are they ok in there or do they need to be in the dark?
If you google 'growing dahlias' there's loads of help on 'tinternet.
You could try this one for a start.
http://www.rupert-fish.co.uk/interests/dahlias/index.html
thanks, terrier, will have a look this afternoon :)
I'd stack them in a holey box of straw or shredded paper if you can after removing any that look like they may cause a problem for the others (not bully-boy dahlias! but ones that are mushy or have damaged areas)
Stack the boxes up with the lids loosely folded over but not tightly shut so air can circulate a bit
Check them each week and discard any dodgy ones or bung them on freecycle and let someone else do it!
too late, went today,the heater must've gone off a couple of frosts ago and most look mushy and black, glad they're not mine :)
mind you, my seedlings don't look too healthy either :-\
D'oh! well you did do your best for them :)