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Storing dahlias
Helen L Thomas
Posts: 11
Please could you tell me the best way to store dahlia tubers over winter?
I have heard you dip them in something but can't find out what it is or if this works?
Thanks for any advice.
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Posts
Flowers of Sulphur can be used to treat cuts or other damaged area to help prevent rot, but I think that most people nowadays just ensure that the tubers are stored in dry cool but frost free conditions.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
To give extra protection Helen, wrap them in newspaper or almost dry peat free compost.
why does it have to be peat free compost?
I had heard of the flowers of sulphur but is it not a banned substance? I will try without thanks for the advice.
My understanding is that it can no longer be recommended for fungicidal use but is still sold as a treatment for soils and also for medical use for animals. Vitax still make and sell it.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have never used Sulphur and in 20 years of growing Dahlias have not lost many.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I've never turned mine upside down to dry out either.
I lift mine with a clod of soil. let the whole thing just sit,butted up to eachon a bed in the polytunnel, sprinkle enough soil over them to fill in the gaps between so no tubers are exposed and leave them to dry out and fend for themselves.
I leave mine upturned on shelf in greenhouse for a week. To dry out. And then trim the fine roots and wrap individual tubers in newspaper . store in a cardboard box in the garage