3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
I wouldn't put them back in the ground until the ground warms up and new roots can start..May. They could rot since the roots and dirt have been disturbed.
Wrap them in the new Glad product Press & Seal. I have used it in wrapping all my cut dahlias this winter, each one individualy. Just twist the ends and the tuber is airtight. Some will still rot but it works much better than Saran wrap.
If you don't want to do that just put them in plastic grocery bags and loosly twist the top (if that makes sense)so a small amount of air exchange takes place. If that won't work then close the bags tightly and open them about once a week to get some air exchange. You want some air exchange but not too much if you can't make them air tight. The medium is important so they have enough mositure close to them to keep them from shriveling so coarse virmiculite is the way to go. Perlite does well too but if one rots the rot seems to transfer to other tubers easily in perlite.
My inclination would be to say let your cut wounds from dividing dry to the touch, hit them with some antifungal or Lysol and replant half, store half in the method of your choice. A bag and sawdust work well for many.
Protect the planted ones from any excess moisture we might still have here and you might be pleasantly surprised in April or May. Keep the slugs away!
Huey, I hated that Glad Press and Seal! I thought it might be the cats' meow for tuber wrapping, but no way. It was too sticky, too tedious for many tubers per season, too hard to see through. But I will say that the very few tubers I wrapped in it, held up well. So did the ones in aluminum foil!
Hi Jim:
You asked a question regarding why I put the tubers slightly half-out in the growing medium. My answer is no particular purpose except that having the lower part in the medium gives the roots something in which to grow. Having the top part exposed to the light seems to encourage the tubers to sprout, and I can readily see where the new sprouts are, and which tubers are duds.
I think we are both accomplishing the same thing using slightly different methods. Mine works for me, and I believe I got the idea from viewing photos of several dahlia societies' experts.
Starting in March sounds like a good idea. The problem which you mention where the plant grows too fast is common when we start early. I also use flourescent lights with 2 - 40 watt bulbs to get them started and then I introduce them to more natural light.
Do I feel that slightly half-covering slows this type of growth down? No.
Do I think there is anything else you can do to try and prevent this quick type of growth before they see daylight? No, except to start a little later. If my plants get too tall and lanky, I pinch the centre stock as others have described, and form a bushier plant. Hence more flowers. But they need proper staking then for sure.
I agree that our season is to short as it is. That is why I usually start early, and have blooms well in advance of many other growers. This year, I won't start early, as I am out of the country for a while, and won't have someone to watch them on a daily basis. I'd rather have late plant than have my plants die from lack of water at this critical stage.
You wouldn't have to remove them to take cuttings. The cuttings should be about 3" long or so when you cut them. If you have the tubers in the boxes with their necks sticking out of the mix the sprouts are easy to get at. You only need to have about half the tuber buried.
Just be sure you have the tubers labeled & that you then label the pot you put the cutting in.
We use a potting mix to start so I'm not sure about your mix but as long as it's not too dry it should be OK I think.
The temp is good.
Look at the Colorado Dahlia Society site for tips on cutting- this is the page.
Here is a link that might be useful: Colorado Dahlia Society
Thanks for admiring my boys! I must say, I agree- I think they are marvelously handsome and squishy. They rule my life, don't know what I would do without them. I routinely wake my husband up in the middle of the night to admire the huge orange pile in the middle of the bed! LOL
So, I have a question. If I get my Dahlias from the nursery in containers and they are already blooming. Can I still top or pinch to generate more lateral growth? Also, is is acceptable to pinch/top with shears as opposed to snapping the top off? I have really big hands and one of the instructions is not to disturb the lateral buds (which I may invariably do because of the size of my hands). Thanks!
Nixon
If they are already blooming in the container then there is no need to top the plant any further. Usually these are smaller, low growing types and no further pinching is required. You can use a tool to pinch but just make sure the shoot doesn't start to grow again which is true with using your fingers too.
More than one shoot--Each shoot that grows out of the ground will have it's own set of tubers underneath and if you don't dig your tubers every year in San Diego or anywhere in the South or West coast, the amount of the tubers under the ground will grow quite large. Sometimes keeping two shoots is desirable in case one runs into trouble and dies. After the plant is well on it's way growing I would pinch the additional shoots off and only grow one. You can grow another plant with the shoot you pinch off. Just put it in some potting soil in some bright shade until it stands up again.
Plantlady,
Thanks, I appreciate the info. Wow, you really have a lot of dahlias....I have one! I want more, but dont have LOTS Of space. I do have space for one or two more, Id like a white one and possibly a light yellow or light pink one.
LOL on the sheep. I noticed the lack of petals on the collarette but thought it was just an old bloom dropping petals late in the show. Even more clever. Now I wonder from whence the shepherd stole the 'ears.' Were those petals too?
Taratahi Lilac, so pretty. They're all gorgeous, that's the problem!
He stole the ears from a Maryjo- that little miniature semicactus that's a peachy pink color-- it was full enough that no one noticed. Looks like he robbed a pompom for the eyes. He's quite a hoot is John-- & the Aussie accent makes it even more fun! He does the "Winkie" line of dahlias as in the AA ID Red Winkie Colonel. Got a picture of it somewhere, too -- I'll see if I can find it tomorrow.
Poochella- we're always glad to have visitors- the good news is the veggie garden is right next to the Big Garden so you won't go hungry if you dig in out there :)
I think the only pict. of Peach Sorbet I have is of a basket that a lady from Vancouver did for decorating the entryway at a Whatcom show. I'll see if I can find it.
Happy Birthday FlowerFarmer.
And thank you for all the professional advice you share so freely on the forums.
Erin