I overwintered mine in their pots in a cold frame in a sheltered corner.....I have checked the tubers and they seem fine (firm, no rot) but absolutely no signs of growth yet. I am starting to panic I must admit!!
I divided up my dahlias for the first time and they are growing on well. The leafage is four weeks of green growth - much slower than usual as we had near frost temps until last week and they've never been inside. Things should speed up a lot now with 20oC+ daytime temps through June. The slugs have mostly stayed away on their own.
This is what I did: the dahlias that were in the ground stayed in the ground. They are just beginning to sprout now. Two of the dahlias planted in big pots stayed in their pots - they also are starting to sprout. I too have Fashion Monger @Nanny Beach which was in a big pot, but I wanted that for something else over winter so lifted them (I had three in there), cleaned off the tubers and stored them in crunched up newspaper in the outhouse. I ordered new dahlias and when they arrived I also stored them in the outhouse*. Then I put all of the stored ones into big plastic pots with dry compost around them and put them up by the window in the outhouse and pretty much left them to it. Some started sprouting even in that state. When there was no sign of frost I brought them out and started watering them and all put one have sprouted - and I can see they eyes of that one, so it won't be long. I have now started putting them into the pots where they are to flower. *Apart from three that were destined for a large pot by my front door I put those straight in that pot in dry compost and when I started watering the others I watered that and they are all sprouting very nicely. V. sheltered spot - south facing so the frost didn't reach that pot.
ohh just caught up with this threads... I ordered 12 tubers from Peter Nyssen -Karma Lagoon, Who me, Genova , Kogane Fubuki and Sandra and then someone gave me 2 tubers of another one can't remember which - potted them end of March indoors and they have been outside , elevated and strulched , whilst I work out the staking system -. I have only 10 so at least 4 did not sprout - but im mildly relieved ... Planning a little Dahlia bed for cuttings but trying to work out how to stake and tie and still reach them to cut ...
My first home grown dahlia is up (I also bought some new tubers and pots of dahlias in the spring).
Rip City is looking none the worse for its dividing. The plant is about the same size as before, filling the same large pot as before, which is a relief (first time of trying dividing). No slug damage in SAS slug country.
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I also have Mexican Star and Happy Days which I am not thrilled with. The yellow centres are so glaring, that it feels like there is more yellow in the flower than red petals. The bees enjoy them, but I feel the disappointment in my belly when viewing them.
I have some small Mignon series and Bishops Children on the go. Mignon (from a plant sale) are not at all mignon. I also have some Aruna which have been sold as 'mini window box dahlias' as a pack of three. With a spread of 50/50cm I think that is a bit of a mis-selling. There is nothing 'mini' about them. They are sold to put with Petunia Tidal Wave in window boxes and I can't see this working at all. The Dahlias are looking the same size as Mexican Star.
It seems there is a big industry push for 'compact' plants (for flats, small balconies etc). But if plants are sold as 'mini' they should really be mini. Ok, they are not seven ft tall like some dahlias, but, give us a break. If we are (I am) going to faff all year cosseting these plants, they really have to be worth it.
Bishop of LL and Rip City are certainly my cup of tea - brilliant as cut flowers, long lasting and good for pollinators.
It's been good to have Mexican Star on board. Even though it's not a favourite it's been blooming for a good month before the others have started in earnest (which isn't yet). It's been floriferous, and, I think, some flowers do have a slight chocolate scent - like big choc cosmos. The others need some strong sun to kick them into action, which we haven't had here. Buds have stayed stuck for weeks.
It's frustrating to see the plants just sitting there, covered in buds. No sunny is weather on the cards here, either. Let's hope the frosts come late.
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*Apart from three that were destined for a large pot by my front door I put those straight in that pot in dry compost and when I started watering the others I watered that and they are all sprouting very nicely. V. sheltered spot - south facing so the frost didn't reach that pot.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.