3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias

For several years, nurseries have been selling small "bedding" type dahlias. They are grown from seeds and the flowers are bright but are not comparable to dahlias grown from tubers or cuttings. They will make some tubers and can easily be dug and planted the next year. However, as they say you get what you pay for. Some other "bedding" type dahlias are grown from cuttings and are actual named varieties from Holland. Examples are the Karma and Gallery series. They are about 24 inches tall and have very nice flowers that are very much like the picture on the tag. They too will make some tubers and can be dug and saved over for another year. Swan Island and other nurseries sell tubers of low growing varieties and they really do well also.

I grew the small dahlias from seed for a few years and dug and saved and planted them the next year.I thought they were very pretty until my daughter in law gave me a few of the better ones.Now I order the nicer ones.Posy Pet

Unless the ground froze to the depth the tubers were planted at they should be fine! Hopefully the snow was a blanket that insulated the ground.

Another thought - I purchased a "Black Cat" tuber that was marked as a Karma. I am actually hoping it's not a Karma, but rather the semi-cactus type that is better known. Does anyone know it there is a Karma "Black Cat"? I searched and can't find it anywhere.

I would got for it and hope for success. If you're really concerned about a great Dahlia show this year, you could purchase a few more just in case. In my area, a couple of the dahlia societies are holding their tuber sales now - decent selection for a good price. The Colorado Dahlia Society holds a link to a listing of sales.

I'd change the soil, too. You don't want to keep the soil from the ones that turned black or it'll just make the next new growth rot as well. Did you use garden soil or sterile potting soil to start them? The reason I ask is because there was a soil blight- I can't remember the name of it off hand- around a couple of years ago & plants that came up & were doing great just all of a sudden rotted off at the soil line. There was quite a few gardeners in the midwest & east that were affected. There was a lively discussion on the dahlia net about it at the time as it was something that few people had had before.

I did use MG with the thought that it's sterile, however, the bag does not state it is. Thanks for the tip, I will change out the soil. If was sterile before, it probably isn't now!

Some people use ziplock bags to store in so it would probably work the same way as the saran wrap. We had "rotten" luck (pun intended) when I used saran wrap so don't use any plastics at all.

1- Yes- pinch it back- take out the growing tip--that's called "topping" & will result in a bushier plant with more laterals. This is a "good thing". They will still reach their full height. When you plant out you can plant deeper than they are in the pot to give them exrta stability (like you can do with tomatoes). Be sure to pound in a stake when you plant so you don't damage the tuber putting it in later.
2- yes there is an advantage especially with the AA & A sized dahlias. One good thick sturdy stem as opposed to 2 not so sturdy stems is the result. You can let the laterals grow from this stem & you'll get bigger blooms & more of them. They're also easier to tie up if there's just one stem & it's laterals instead of 2 to get in each other's way. Go to the Colorado Dahlia Society site & look up the part on topping, debranching & disbudding- It's under Dahlia Care & Culture-- lots of good info & pictures to help you along.
If you want you can make a cutting out of the pinched off stem & get another plant for your money!

Here is a link that might be useful: Colorado Dahlia Society Site

I was given some rather depressing tubers last fall, very shriveled and rubbery!! Still, I managed to prep them for storage and some of them have produced some very healthy cuttings for me... I had about 15 tubers, I had 4 survive, now have 20 rooted cuttings / plants!!

So I know first hand that shriveled does not mean hopeless!

Considering the time of year, I would perhaps treat them with an anti fungal / perhaps put them in a 10% bleach bath for 20 minutes, then pot them up and allow them to start growing!! Even if they are kept indoors on a (south facing preferably) window ledge, they should be fine. Don't plant them out too early though! Even one night of freezing temps will kill them. I learned that this year too the hard way with my store bought tubers!!

Just pot them up and place near a well-lit window - the white shoots will green up in no time, so don't remove them. My over-wintered dahlias in the basement are showing exactly such sprouts, and I will be potting them up soon - this also gives them a head start, and therefore earlier blooms!

Don't panic, it's actually a good sign...at least you know they are good tubers! Just pot them up as soon as you can, they will be just fine.

I have all racks full of potted dahlias now, and need more space for more that are continuing to sprout. I think the local garden club will be benefitting big time, this spring.

jroot. I have not even gotten as far as you have as my tubers will not eye up? I can't go to the next step until they do as I haven't seen any eyes so that I can cut? What do you suggest to hurry them along?

I have never divided tubers, but have to do it this weekend. I came across this on the site, it was originally posted on April 3, 05.
I hope it helps. ( I typed dividing tubers into the search box to find it)

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/dahlia/msg041343391520.html