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Winter storing of Dahlias and Bergonias

coppersendcoppersend Posts: 52
edited November 2018 in Plants
Hello everyone 
 I am very new to Gardeners world signed up today.
So I am unsure whether the answer to my question lies in another thread or not
I am so sorry if it does.
I have just stored my Dahlia tubers and Begonia corns into a polystyrene boxes
I got them from a local fishmongers 
I've put sawdust in the bottom and then the tubers and corns in before topping with more sawdust 
My question is will they over winter in my garage OK in the boxes
when should I remove them for replanting next year.
The boxes have lids 
Thank you for reading
this is only an experiment I am not concerned if it fails
I will buy more next year.


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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There's been lots of similar queries so don't worry.
    I presume you mean Dahlias? Most people lift and store, after letting the tubers drain and dry off. A place they won't get too damp is ideal - garage, outbuilding, shed etc. In mild areas, some people leave them in the ground. It's cold, wet conditions they dislike.

    Begonias [generally] aren't hardy, so they need to be in a greenhouse or similar. I don't grow them so hopefully someone who does will come along and offer advice  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I see you edited while I was writing, so my queries aren't needed!
    Just be careful that the Dahlias don't get too dry. I'd be inclined to use some compost, rather than wood shavings, which absorb a lot of moisture. 
    You'd also need to keep an eye on the light levels when they come back into growth. The lids will prevent them growing properly. I wouldn't use those at all.
    Most dahlias start up again in early to mid spring - it depends on how mild a part of the country you're in, and how mild or cold the winter is. It's one of those things that can vary enormously. Make sure they have enough light, and are growing on in some decent compost, once they do start growing.  You can't plant them out until the risk of frosts has gone though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I leave a lot of dahlias in the ground and just pile a heap of mulch over but the ones in tubs I wrap  tubers separately in newspaper then in a cardboard box, making sure they are dry first  and after checking for vine weevil then stored in the bottom of a spare wardrobe, I always think of garages as cold draughty places but if you have no where else I’m sure they’ll be ok. 
    The box will be ok, don’t know about shaving I suppose it would do as long as the tubers are dry if not the moisture in them will freeze and they’ll ruin.  I prefer newspaper.
    Ever thought of this for your poly box?

    https://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/articles/trough-garden/trough-garden.php
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • coppersendcoppersend Posts: 52
    Thank you all for your comments
    as I said this is just an experiment
    I have looked at a number of U tube  videos on storage
    all state they need to be dry so i thought in sawdust this would keep them dry.
    My intention will be to remove them in April and pot them up in compost after the frost.
    I live in the south east of UK so the temp is in zone 8 I could have left them in the ground but I wanted to transplant them anyway.

    If I'm successful then I am going to try the same with my geraniums next year
    I have loads of sawdust going to waste so it was useful to use it as a source.
    If it doesn't work  and I lose everything then then I will have to buy more next year
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Geraniums are very hardy, I’ve never lost one. All cut down now for winter.  Never any need to lift those.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Did you mean pelargoniums Melvin? 
    If so, they just need a porch or windowsill to overwinter. Conservatory if you have one. Kept on the dry side. You can cut them back a bit and use the material as cuttings too.
    They won't appreciate being put in the dark though. Different beasts completely to dahlias or other similar, tuberous plants. 

    Hardy geraniums are as Lyn describes though.They just do their thing outside through all weathers and conditions  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2018
    Or does @melvinall mean pelargoniums?

    Geraniums are winter hardy and should stay in the ground all year round ... but pelargoniums need frostfree conditions. I’d lift and pot them and keep them ina frostfree greenhouse/conservatory or indoors on windowsills ... cut themback and take cuttings in the spring to refresh and increase stock. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • MarranMarran Posts: 195
    I stored my dahlias in sawdust last year and they were all fine.
  • coppersendcoppersend Posts: 52
    Thank you Marran
    which Month did you remove them ?
    did you transplant them directly back into the garden / Pots ?

    Dovefromabove

    Did you cover your geraniums during the winter Months or left them to the elements after cutting them back ?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2018
    melvinall said:

    Dovefromabove

    Did you cover your geraniums during the winter Months or left them to the elements after cutting them back ?
    Can we clarify what we're talking about ...


    Hardy geraniums (in shades of blue/violet/pink) need no winter protection.  They die down naturally and don't need cutting back.


    Pelargoniums ... sometimes erroneously called bedding geraniums .... these are frost tender and need to be taken up and kept in a frost free place over winter



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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