3,226 Garden Web Discussions | Dahlias
Dry is better than total pulpy mush so congratulations on that! Try putting them in a baggie with a handful or two of damp/barely moist soil, with the tuber just on top or slightly covered. Keep the top of the ziploc type bag open, place in bright light/warm area and if you have eyes, that should help them show up. Working well out here.
Once you know they're good to go, then you can decide what to do with them before planting outside in your zone. I would guess you have a few weeks to go yet before planting out would be safe.
For the past 4 years I have been storing my tubers the same way with minimal losses: I simply put them in a box and cover them with a hardwood sawdust(use to line my horse stalls). I store the tuber in my garage which stays around 50 degrees all winter and then plant them directly in the ground in may...the tubers multiply like weeds each year.
You are so right Jroot, but I hesitate to call them gardeners.
I had a email from a friend who wanted some tubers, you see she wanted something she could plant that would be no work but give her beautiful flowers, just like your gardens she said.In jest, I suggest that she should try plastic or silk flowers if she didn't want to do any work. Believe it or not she's thinking about it!
Pescadora- fisherwoman! Here's a link to the Florida guy's website for you.
Here is a link that might be useful: Dahlias in Florida
This late in the season they may be sold out, but worth an email to the following vendors. I love the color on Kari Blue- not blue, you realize, but bluish. Funny scrawny long tubers on that one.
Here is a copy paste from "The Big List" dahlia locator.
KARI BLUE Accent Dahlias
KARI BLUE Clack's Dahlia Patch
KARI BLUE Connells Dahlias
KARI BLUE Cowlitz River Dahlias
KARI BLUE Log Cabin Dahlias
KARI BLUE Red Hawk Dahlias
KARI BLUE B&D Dahlias
Here is a link that might be useful: Big List of Trouble
There is no reason at all why you can not use pots. However, I suggest that the larger the pot the better. They do form good size roots, and also the larger the pot, the less likely they are to dry out so much.
I've grown 4 foot dahlias in pots approx 12-16 inch diameter pots. As well, I have found that the larger the pot, the less likely for Mr Wind to blow them over.
My Dahlias in the front of my trailer get all morning sun. Once the sun moves to the side they're pretty shaded. Mine seem to do well every year providing I care for them properly. I think last year the trick with mine was the miricle grow. They seemed to just eat that up.
So really, mine get about 4-6 MAX hrs of solid sun (but that's just me :)
I am relieved to hear that Procyon is not supposed to be that big because it only was growing to about 4 inches in my garden too! It is a beautiful thing and always commented on in bouquets, Also sells really fast at my stand in the shade...leaps out like fire! I would have to call it Red/yellow in my garden rather then orange/yellow. I think I got mine at Costco a few years ago.
Sorry about the name misunderstanding- I looked up in the classification book for the last 20 years & there isn't any Apricot Sorbet- but it might have been renamed by the bulk producer just like so many others -- to keep us guessing & make life difficult for us!
Jroot, love those colorful cactus dahlias! Especially the deep pinkish with yellow at about 11 and 2 o'clock in the photo. Beautiful!
And marty, Haley Jane always catches my eye. I love the bi color ones.
My tubers are waking up- eyes popping sprouts or showing themselves. I've started some inside in milk cartons to get a jump on the season. About 4 weeks to planting outside here.
I bought the dahlia Cactus mix about 5 years ago and they are wonderful. My package was heavy on the coral/yellow ones but I have gradually given the extras away. The Creamy white is my favorite. Those plants put out hundreds of flowers over the course of a summer here!
As long as you didn't soak the soil they should be OK. If you start to see any mold just spray them with Lysol or a garden fungicide. We start ours in fairly moist potting soil so you should be just fine.