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Large Dahlia Tubers

Flower252Flower252 Posts: 21
in Plants
For the past couple of years I have overwintered my tubers in the garage and after waking up planted them whole in the garden and they have been glorious. However, the tubers are big now and too big to start off in any of my pots. Didn't really want to use them just for cuttings as they will flower much later. No greenhouse and my conservatory is already full of seedlings of varied plants growing on.  What would you advise please. Could I divide or plant out straight in the garden in may? Thanks
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  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Welcome to the forum. Could you use old compost/gravel bags or similar, rolled down with earth in to start them off? They would need drainage holes made. Chicken wire or similar would help it stay upright, if that is a problem.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I think if it was me I would be tempted to split them, ensuring that each division has 'eyes'.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Flower252 says they don't want to do that.
  • Flower252Flower252 Posts: 21
    If I can spit tubers after new growth appears does it matter if part is not joined to main stem any more. Will it still grow separated?  Wish I'd kept my old compost bags now as that was a good idea. Used washing up bowls last year.
  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    You could divide them, I think they are supposed to flower better if you divide them every couple of years. It can be really easy to do depending on the tuber, some will wiggle apart!

    If you have tubers without an eye after dividing those won’t do anything, but anything with an eye will even if there’s no ‘stem’

    I would divide before they show growth
  • Flower252Flower252 Posts: 21
    I could try that, thanks zugenie. Has anyone planted them from storage into their growing place in the garden during May and missed out this sprouting part? i live in North Yorkshire so would have to wait until after mid May.
  • Flower252Flower252 Posts: 21
    Wouldn't that be the same as folk leaving in the ground in milder areas of UK?  Just an afterthought.
  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    I think it will depend on your soil, but I’m guessing you normally grow them in the ground so should be ok? Only one way to find out :)
  • Flower252Flower252 Posts: 21
    Perhaps I'll try some of each idea as experiment and see which works best.  Thank you all, feel a lot better about it now.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Flower252 said:
     Wish I'd kept my old compost bags now as that was a good idea.
    Robust garden black bins bags would do it.
    Or even a shopping bag.
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