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I have bought quite a few dahlia tubers with the idea of making a dahlia bed. We have a nice loam soil and have grown dahlias successfully before in the flower bed. When I grew them in the flower bed I just put the tubers in in spring and they grew. Last year I did try the same, but the slugs got the better of them. This year I really want to be successful! We are wanting to trial some of these different dahlias with the idea of using them for the bouquet for our wedding next year.

Is it a good idea to plant the tubers in large pots in a cold greenhouse and them plant them out as small plants to give them a head start?

Any tips would be appreciated.

 Sparkly, when you have planted your Dalias ( i would leave them a couple of weeks yet let the soil warm a bit) surround them with course sand. you could save a couple of eggshells crush them & mix with the sand.
Good luck hope this helps you. ;D

QuoteIs it a good idea to plant the tubers in large pots in a cold greenhouse and them plant them out as small plants to give them a head start?

Yes!

Plus the fact once they have produced some top growth you may be able to split them to increase your stock!

This link might help;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias/Dahlias.htm

and this one for bedding varieties;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlias%20%28bedding%29/Dahlias%20%28bedding%29.htm

I bought some dahlia tubers and have them in the garage (it's integral to the house and well insulated as OH spends most of his spare time in there so it doesn't get too cold and definitely doesn't freeze).

I have them in trays of potting medium and kept them just moist (ie not too damp and not dried to a crisp) but they haven't shown any sign of life yet.  ???

Am I being too impatient? 

Should I move them into the light?

Should I move them somewhere warmer indoors?  I don't have a green house and it still feels too early to put much outdoors in West Yorkshire.

Advice appreciated!

Should I move them into the light?.......................Yes

Should I move them somewhere warmer indoors?.........Yes

Thanks Tee Gee!  I will follow your advice and find a home for them somewhere that they will hopefully like a bit better than the garage.

Much appreciated.

Thanks Tee Gee, I followed your advice and moved them onto a warm window sill.  Success!  My tubers are just beginning to sprout.  Woo hoo - very excited!!  Hope to be able to propogate some cuttings in a few weeks time.