Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What should I do with huge Dahlia tubers?

CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
in Plants
This is my second year of growing dahlias, I live in South Devon and last year left my 4 dahlias in the ground and 50% survived.  This year I bought some ‘nicer’ ones, Cafe au Lait, David Howard and Bishop of Llandaff and as I wanted to be sure they’d survive I’ve dug them up today to store them over winter.  The tubers from David Howard and a Jill variety (which stayed in the ground last winter) seem huge and I wonder if I should split them as I’m not sure I’ve got pots big enough for when I pot them up next spring.  I’ve attached photos, 2 of which were photobombed by my cockapoo Connie, but I left her in as I thought she was good for a size comparison.  
South Devon 

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    That big one with two stalks should easily split into two. Slice a sharp knife down the joining bit. Very big ones I find will often split naturally when you dig them up.  You have to make sure each tuber cluster  has a growing point (remaining stalk)
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    You may be able to wiggle them apart try that first before cutting. Personally I like the tubers big you have a big display of flowers unless you are going to plant them both next to each over.  Buckets  are ideal the cheap black ones for 99p drain some holes in the bottom ( or plasters tub )  and cover them with dry ish old compost / sand  or something else and leave in shed / greenhouse . 
  • CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
    Thanks for your helpful comments  @fidgetbones and @Perki 😁
    South Devon 
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I’m a lifter and splinter. However I don’t split until Spring as I’m potting them up. However careful you are there is usually some damage to a tuber and I’d think that risky in storage. For slightly easier storage you can reduce the stems to 2inches. The next year shoots come from the “collar” ie where the tuber and stem meet.
     Mine are wrapped in newspaper and stored in open bags for life hung up in the garage rafters.
    my dahlias get ravaged by slugs/ snails so this year I grew 4 in plastic half tubs (one each) Those tubers were huge. 
  • CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
    Thanks @Bilje I really fell in love with dahlias this year so all knowledge is gratefully received.  When I dug up the huge ones I’ve damaged a couple of the tubers when the fork went into them, should I pull those off?
    South Devon 
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    Hello again, I’d trim any broken bits, use secateurs or a sharp knife. Let the cut bit dry over, couple of days? before you wrap or pack. 
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    edited November 2022
     :D 

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

Sign In or Register to comment.