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Hmm... No source that I've read... Some folks keep it uncovered to make it easier to take cuttings, but moisture in the soil helps the tuber break dormancy and encourages sprouting, so there's not much reason to leave it exposed otherwise. It breaks though the soil quick enough when it's ready.
Honestly, I don't think it makes much difference, but this gentleman has thirty years of experience on me, so I am inclined to listen and make it a habit if I have the choice of covering or uncovering the head. I don't feel as if I need to test this grain of wisdom he's shared, as I'd rather play it safe and be patient then lose a much-coveted variety I'm looking forward to seeing bloom.
2-3 leaf sets? Sounds like bedding dahlias, or that there are hidden leaf sets under the soil.
The benefit is just as you described. The plant focuses on the structure instead of the propagation. Typically, this gives you more branches sooner, and a larger flush of blooms at one time instead of scattered.
My formal dining room houses about an eighth of the tubers that I really want to protect. If no outbuildings, put them next to your fine china. All about priorities. ;-)
I'd be curious if anyone has tried overwintering half a bed with leaves OVER the plastic, and half with the leaves UNDER the plastic. Would love to hear the results of such an experiment. I normally hear about plastic on the top, which is too much of an eyesore for my very visible beds.
You will get more flowers, and more quickly, if you leave them in the ground. However, the tubers will be a mess to deal with if you overwinter them for more then two seasons.
If you divide, most likely you will have better quality blooms, but they won't be as plentiful and will be delayed as the tubers concentrate on reestablishing feeder roots.
What planting zone are you in, Mickey?
Hi Karen
that trick has worked for me sometimes as well.
I doubt that it would have kept growing if just left alone, I'd say, rotted completely seems more likely.
I've read that you can just let the fresh cut dry for a while, another suggestion was cinamon as it seems to work as an anti-fungal or - germ or whatever.
Did not test it myself or research it, but could be.
well, have a nice Dahlia season, bye, Lin
Looks like a seasonal fungus I see sometimes on my bark mulch. It looks like slime at first, then expands into a foam-looking nastiness, then dries into puffs of spores. If it's the same thing, I'd scoop off as much as possible and THROW AWAY sealed up in the trash. I'd cut off the plant parts touching it to avoid it's spread.
I did do a Google search for poms. I am in love with Sunny Boy and Dot Com. I kept thinking when she was opening that she will go to the cotton ball look but that has never happened.
All of my purchases this year have been BBS ones. I have a huge list of varieties that I would like to add in the future. I am hopeful that the other two plants that I have from this package will bloom. I am hopeful that my Tropical will bloom as well as my Semi cactus.
Next year will be bigger and better! In the meantime, I am quite proud to have a beauty like this to grace my house: (There are two more getting ready to open as I speak)
check out this site to see what dahlias you like http://dahliadivas.com/they have wonderful plants