Sitting around for a week shouldn't have hurt them, Alice. As long as they're still firm and haven't frozen, which I assume they didn't in the garage, go ahead and stick them in some peat. I think the long-fiber sphagnum peat will work the best---is that what you use, Digit?

Why buy more when you already have some! And if they don't make it for some reason, it hasn't cost you anything to try!

Skybird

No, not the long-fiber peat - I just use the regular potting grade.

Often it's worse for them to be too wet, or especially the peat to be too wet, than to have them in the open for awhile.

It would really be best to cut off and discard last year's tuber and only save the new ones from 'o8. Then just surround them with peat, do NOT tie the bag shut but put it some place nice and cool. Good luck, Alice.

digitS'

That's interesting, Digit. I was talking to my friend from Nederland about how she stores her tubers, and she said the same thing about putting them in peat, but she uses the long-fiber---which is what I was thinking of using for my sweet potato vine tuber. Maybe it doesn't make any difference. She did mention, like you, that if anything, they're likely to be too wet---and she packs them in DRY peat. I was asking her, too, if she dusts hers with sulfur to inhibit mold, and she said she doesn't. I don't have any around here now, but if I get around to buying some, I think I will dust mine.

Guess I'll just go with the regular Canadian peat---but I'll neeed to leave some dry out all the way first!
Skybird

Thanks everyone - I'll get some peat - soon!

Alice

I think it might wreck my budget to use the long fiber stuff.

I'm tempted to use pine shavings which is what the glads go in but . . . I'm hesitant to tamper with success.

Regarding rot - perhaps the most important thing is to get anything that would rot easily (last years tuber, broken roots) away from the good material. That's my thinking but years & years ago, I essentially harvested and stored dahlia roots using a shovel. Scooped 'em out of the soil and dumped 'em in a box - took 'em downstairs. Worked.

d'S'