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Dahlias

ritagregoryukritagregoryuk Posts: 4
in Plants
Hi,
I have large clumps of Dahlias.
Do I split them or put the large clump back in the ground by doing this will it make the flowers smaller?
Are the large clump of tubers take goodness away!
Difficult to explain...
Thanks,
Rita. 

Posts

  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Where do you live,I leave some in overwinter assuming they will start growing soon,I just give them a feed, compost and chicken pellets,any division I do when they are dug up in Autumn
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    If I Misunderstood, You have Them Lifted, Sorry,I Find They Fall Apart anyway,so,yes I plant them individually
  • ritagregoryukritagregoryuk Posts: 4
    Thanks Nanny Beach.
    I have so many large clumps to divide they are really solid so should I discard them and keep the smaller ones with eyes?
    With the large clumps does the goodness go back into the tuber producing small flowers or none at all.
    A difficult question.
    All the best.
    Rita.

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    It is still a bit early for new leaves to be showing, it is better to wait until the clumps begin to sprout, then divide them into smaller lumps with at least one sprout per clump before replanting as normal. personally, I like to wait until the new shoots are growing strong and healthy before planting out to deter the local slug population with an early Christmas dinner. Dahlias need plenty of food and water. If the main clump falls apart, just put 3/4 loose tubers in the same planting hole. Discard any woody old stems or rotten tubers. Give surplus tubers to family and friends.
  • ritagregoryukritagregoryuk Posts: 4
    Thanks very much Joyce.
    There are about 8 large tubers to every clump so I will be learning from you and Nanny Beach.
    Rita.
    😀
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Can you show a photo of your clump,  you can’t plant just the tubers,  they need to have a stalk and shoots. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    It partly depends on what type of dahlias you have, they vary in size from diddy little border types to giant decorative varieties which can grow to 5ft tall. I am guessing here and suggest your clumps could simply be divided in half with 4 tubers in each. If your plants are the larger ones they will need staking with dahlia stakes, more substantial than bamboo canes. Some grow very large flower heads but have "weak necks" and wind can wreak havoc with tall growing ones.
  • ritagregoryukritagregoryuk Posts: 4
    Thanks Joyce.
    I have just started growing Dahlias last year so wasn’t sure what to do with the very large clumps. Have taken everyone’s advice so hopefully I will have a good show. I’ll try and send a picture.
    All the best,
    Rita.
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