I've used the carrier bag system for at least the last ten years , the tubers are well wrapped and there is very little condensation I have a very good success rate. I don't have sufficient space to store them any other way than to dangle the bags in the garage. It's all a question of finding what works for you given your circumstances. Like other posters I have left them in the ground years ago when NE winters at least were milder then the first bad winter and I lost loads, the other drawback for that method for me was they were slow to start in Spring and slugs etc beneath the soil had a feast.
Can I ask.Is it necessary to let dahlias get frosted before lifting them.I could do with the space in the ground to plant my primulas and tulips.We haven,t had a frost yet and it doesn't look as we will have next week either.Thanks
Instead of plastic carrier bags you could use hessian sacks to hang them up, allows a bit of air movement around them to keep them dry.
Once the Dahlias get to full size they don't get repotted at all. just the top changed, mostly to get rid of weed seed, a good dose or Chicken manure come spring and a decent feeding regime keeps them happy
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I've used the carrier bag system for at least the last ten years , the tubers are well wrapped and there is very little condensation I have a very good success rate. I don't have sufficient space to store them any other way than to dangle the bags in the garage. It's all a question of finding what works for you given your circumstances. Like other posters I have left them in the ground years ago when NE winters at least were milder then the first bad winter and I lost loads, the other drawback for that method for me was they were slow to start in Spring and slugs etc beneath the soil had a feast.
Can I ask.Is it necessary to let dahlias get frosted before lifting them.I could do with the space in the ground to plant my primulas and tulips.We haven,t had a frost yet and it doesn't look as we will have next week either.Thanks
i dont think so, i did mine today and they havnt been frosted
No need to wait. They get no actual benefit from the frosting... it's just that the foliage is slaughtered, but the tuber is still OK.
Thank you both.I'll lift them tomorrow if it's dry.
Instead of plastic carrier bags you could use hessian sacks to hang them up, allows a bit of air movement around them to keep them dry.
Once the Dahlias get to full size they don't get repotted at all. just the top changed, mostly to get rid of weed seed, a good dose or Chicken manure come spring and a decent feeding regime keeps them happy
KFC yes KFC have large brown paper bags that will keep tubers dry add some sawdust,straw or even ripped up new paper.
I have a big vac in the garage with lots of sawdust wich I shall be using and one or two KFC bags saved in the year for drying seeds tubers in
Hang them in the garage where the mice can't eat them as I had some bulbs under the bench in the garage one year in sawdust and the mice had the lot
James
I shall cut back and remove from pot this coming week then and leave to dry out I only have two Dahlias so not two expensive to replace next year LOL
My red flame is now a dull yellow
I shall take a photo before I cut it back
Hi Verd. Where is the National Collection, please . I agree , singles have grown on me too.
p.s. for everyone.... singles are great for bees etc. , the more decorative types can be of little use to them.