Allotments 4 All

He was very particular about his dahlias and won many prizes for them so I suppose it was very important to him that they grew properly.  I do stake mine, but with shorter canes and the foliage soon covers them. I never cut mine, I just love to see them growing.

I dont buy any dahlia thats not showing signs of growing, ie green shoots.
I'll probably have to wait until March, but there'll still be plenty in the shops then.

To buy one that doesn't actually look alive is a bit risky in my books. Its alot of money for  handfull of earth.  :(

When i lived in the south I never lifted mine either-covered with straw instead and they were always good.  :( Now they belong to someone else so I hope they love them as much as I did!
Maybe now I'm further north I'll have to have a rethink.  :)

I have just uploaded a book on dahlia culture and lots of pictures;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Images/Bookshop.htm

Can I suggest you look at the dnl version which is is 'flip page' format.