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Dahlia tubers with no eyes

CamelliadCamelliad Posts: 402
in Problem solving
Ok so logically I know that I should dispose of loose tubers with no eyes, but I've just taken out my favourite Teesbroke Audrey to pot up today and a few tubers came loose. I'm sure I've seen YouTube videos where people have done things like put them in a bag with compost and they've magically grown some. Am I being gullible? Has anyone tried this and it worked? I should just compost them, shouldn't I...?

Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Dahlias grow from buds on the stems so if the tubers have no part of the old stem still attached then they will not grow.
  • CamelliadCamelliad Posts: 402
    Thanks @Palustris. Yes you're right and I know this logically, I guess I was just wondering if there was some sort of gardening trick to grow eyes on tubers where there are none, but I suspect not!!

    I'll try instead for basal cuttings when the main tuber starts to grow.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I found this video useful. The lady says that you can plant up broken off tubers, but it sounds like it might be several years before anything happens.
  • CamelliadCamelliad Posts: 402
    Thanks @Fire. That does make sense. I am not lucky with dahlia tubers generally - not even the ones with eyes. Luckily my TA is growing strongly so I'm waiting to take some cuttings - this might be my best hope.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    @Camelliad - I guess go very easy or absent with the watering until you have strong green growth.
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