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Dahlia Tubers - plant or wait!

nathandadZD3ScX9cnathandadZD3ScX9c Posts: 8
in Plants
Hello,

Making a purchase online earlier this week, a bulk mixed dahlia tuber offer came up at check out and as they were literally pennies, I thought I'd chance it and added them to my order.

They have arrived today, all individually sealed in plastic bags with names etc. printed on them, and to my untrained eye look in good condition.

I have been doing a bit of research this evening to see if I should try and plant out now (mid-August) or try and keep them until next spring. I am not sure they will last that long, as I assume they have already been in their plastic seals for a while, but I am equally unsure planting this late in the UK (despite the current heatwave!) is any better.

Any advice?! Would you recommend planting out, and if so would you plant in the beds I would be using next spring, or in containers? Or stick to the plastic seals and cross everything, or even remove from the plastic and store elsewhere in their current state?

Suggestions very welcome! 
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Posts

  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554
    I would store them somewhere dry and dark till next spring. Taking them out of the plastic wrapping 😊
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    No idea how/why Dahlia tubers are available at this time of year.
    If you plant them, new growth will be cut back when the frosts come.
    I would store them somewhere cool and they may be ok. next year.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • ChezNousChezNous Posts: 40
    I thought to store my bargain tubers as well but then changed my mine and just potted them up in containers. In a couple of weeks most of them have grown really well so far which was a surprise to me. That's a lot faster than the new ones I planted a couple of months ago. I won't be disappointed if they don't flower - if they do, it's bonus. I'm still learning.
    Late to gardening .... @cheznousgarden
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    If it were me, I would whack them in a pot and see what happens. At least, if they put on roots, you can be sure that they won't rot or dessicate.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think people are missing the point here, why are there Dahlia tubers available now?
    They are presumably unsold tubers from this Spring, which if they showed no signs of growth then, are highly unlikely to grow now, or ever.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    I bought some discounted dahlia tubers last year, received at the end of July. I planted them out immediately, and the ones planted in the ground flowered in late Sept. The ones planted in pots had foliage growth but no flowers though.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited August 2022
    Just because they are unsold doesn't mean they are dead. Maybe they just didn't sell. I would plant them now, you'll likely get some foliage but no flowers this year. Storing them would risk them drying out further or going mouldy IMO.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • nathandadZD3ScX9cnathandadZD3ScX9c Posts: 8
    Thanks all, I'm going to pot them up in the morning and see what happens!

    Appreciate the advice and that the results will be pretty hit and miss given the time of year - my courgettes have been a disaster this year and are coming out, so I have the space and tbh even 1 success in 100 will mean a £3 dahlia in the garden next year!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Please keep us posted on what happens.

    When you pot the tubers up I would keep the earth slightly damp but don't give much. If things get too sodden the tuber might rot. Hang back on the watering until you have some good leafing. Once you have good growth keep very well watered until the frosts. With any luck the season will bulk up the tuber for next year.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Tubers should sprout in the packets, what worries me, is that these sprouts might have been removed, in which case they won't grow.
    If they have been in cold storage, they might be ok.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
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