My first year growing Dahlias, so a little help would be appreciated. I have grown some Dahlias from seed and have now dug up the tubers after the frost killed off most of the top growth. I have trimmed the tops to about six inches of growth, gently washed off the soil and am drying them for 24 hrs. I have been told how to store the tubers but not let them touch one another. My problem is, I have dug them up, but some are in big clumps of up to ten tubers, do I count this one plant as one tuber or do I take each single one and store it on it's own? Also do I take the remaining top growth off when I store them?
Robbo.
Quotehave now dug up the tubers after the frost killed off most of the top growth. I have trimmed the tops to about six inches of growth, gently washed off the soil and am drying them for 24 hrs.
Well you got most of that right although I wouldn't have washed them!
QuoteI have been told how to store the tubers but not let them touch one another.
This is good advice as it helps to ensure if one rots or is diseased it won't affect the others.
Quote
My problem is, I have dug them up, but some are in big clumps of up to ten tubers, do I count this one plant as one tuber or do I take each single one and store it on it's own?
Tubers as dug are known as 'field tubers' and should remain that way until such times as you want to plant them out again.
To cut / divide them now is potentially asking for trouble as disease can get into the exposed flesh of the tuber/s
The individual tubers or 'chicken legs' as they are known can be divided just prior to planting out, or left intact.
Ensure that there is at least one eye or shoot on each piece!
QuoteAlso do I take the remaining top growth off when I store them?
Well from what you have described before then the answer is no! I usually leave 3-4" 0f stem on on them but do take all the leaves off as these will rot & decay and may transmit disease!
Read this link to save me writing it all again! Then you will be as wise as me on the subject!
Just a word on storage!
Even the top growers can have trouble doing this so don't be disheartened if the rot away or dry up ............you can always sow more seeds!
This link is for disbuds; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias/Dahlias.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias/Dahlias.htm)
and this one is for the variety I guess you have grown and basically they require the same treatment as their big brothers as reguarding storage & propagation!
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias/Dahlias.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias/Dahlias.htm)
ps there is one thing you haven't mentioned and that is your method of drying them......do this by laying them upside down so that any moisture in the stem/s will drain out.
Dry them in a nice airy spot with plenty of ventilation!
High humidity is not good for them!
Thank you Tee Gee, they are indeed stored upside down and will be stored away with confidence today.
Robbo.