I don't have a great spot to put my Dahlias right now, but stumbled across an article on how to plant Dahlias in containers @ http://www.dahlia.org/index.php?page=growing-dahlias-in-pots. However, I've got some questions I'm hoping you can help me with.

The article talks about planing the tuber 6" below the edge of the container, but only barely covering the tuber with soil. Then adding soil as the plant grows up to the top of the container. So in this picture, the tuber is less than an inch below the surface. However, the Dahlia growth took me by surprise. Within a week I had this much growth:

{{gwi:645603}}

My question is, should I follow the original directions and cover this growth (stock and leaves) with soil?

And, now would probably be a good time put in a stake.