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hello all, my first question ....

muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
in Plants
i have a dahlia x hybrida cafe latte, bought in a pot and it was sensational. i know that current thinking is to store over winter in a shed or greenhouse. i have cut it right down to approx 6 inches above soil level - should i go further and remove the "trunk" from the tubers or just leave it to go dormant and top dress in the spring ? tia, mike 

Posts

  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    Are you in quite a warm area where you think it'll survive Winter outside?
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    im in glos, near cheltenham
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    edited October 2021
    What ever you decide as far as winter storage, do not cut the stem any further back. New growth next year comes from the base of that old stem, not from the tubers themselves.
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    ok thank you palustris. that is useful to know - hope i havent cut it back too much ....
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    sooo .. should i pot into a larger pot in the spring with fresh compost or just top up the existing pot ?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If it is to stay in a pot you need to pot it on with fresh compost - a good, loam based John Innes no 3 is best - as the tubers will get bigger and need more space.   I would also give it a  generous dollop of slow release fertiliser for roses or tomatoes about 80 days after re-potting next spring as composts only have food for 80 to 90 days and your dahlia will go on flowering till the first frosts in autumn. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    ok thank you obelixx !
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