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Starting Dahlias 2016
Daffodilgirl
Posts: 34
in Plants
Can anyone advise me please on how to start my Dahlias that were over wintered in the greenhouse.
Books say to soak the tubers, does the water have to be warm or cold and how long for?
Do the dahlias need bottom heat to start them off?
They were potted in old compost so don't know if they are all withered yet.
Many thanks
0
Posts
I don't pot them up until they've got shoots. Those swollen tubers are, after all, a food store.
If you stored them in pots of compost just wait until there are new shoots appearing then you can put them into new compost until it's time to plant out.
It's a bit early and cold to be seeing any signs of life yet I think.
Mine have been sat in their pots next to the house all Winter, doesn't tend to get too cold here and they always seem to pop back up.
There's no rush to get it done as long as the tubers aren't too dry.
April is usually a good time to get them going so you have good plants by June, which will last all Summer.
Is it too late to divide the tubers, some of mine look very big?
Peter you can certainly divide them now.
Wait until you can see "eyes2, where the new shoots are developing, to ensure that each division has a pair.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Silly question I know, but is it better to cut or break the tubers?
if you look closely , you'll see which "eyes" are connected to which bits of roots. You might have a bit of untangling to do.
Just take your time and you'll see what to do.