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Can I move a dahlia now?

EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
in Plants
I leave my dahlias in the ground, heavily mulched, because we don’t get very hard frosts here. One of them is now in the wrong place due to too much shade having developed around it, so that it hasn’t flowered this year, although the leaves are abundant and healthy. If I wait until the leaves get touched by frost that might be January. Can I move it now, or is it better to leave it until it’s more dormant? Or spring? It would be easier for me now because I can see it clearly, and the ground is soft. 
Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


Posts

  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    Well if it was mine I’d lift it, clean and dry it and store it until spring. I can’t imagine it would grow fresh roots at this time of year if transplanted. Even the ones left in situ won’t be building up their tubers. 
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree. No problem to do it now, and it would come away better once replanted next year  :)
    We get quite a lot of queries about lifting them when there haven't been frosts, or if people are in areas that don't get many - like you @Emerion. It's no problem to do it at this time of year. Hopefully it'll enjoy it's new site    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited November 2022
    I cut one of mine back and moved it a couple of weeks ago. Fingers crossed it'll be OK. When it starts to get cold I might chuck some leaf litter or twiggy compost-bin-sievings over it. I never lift and store them (nowhere to put them) and the soil is light and sandy and well drained, so they generally overwinter OK in situ.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    Thanks all. 
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


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