Dahlia Tubers

Mine has 3 woody bits pointing out.. and I don't understand about these eyes, I can't even see anything because of it being quite soily :D

 

They will be at the top of the pointy out bits, where they are joined together by the remains of last year's stalk. There won't be much there to see at this stage, you'll have to use your imagination. If you pot them up and keep them warm you'll see tiny nubs of growth beginning which are the eyes. Here's a good pic.
Redirect Notice

 

So they're just holes?

 

I would be inclined to do nothing until you get some growth. At that point it will be quite clear what is growth and where it is coming from.

I have no intention of doing anything with mine for at least a couple of months.

 

I don't think I'll bother then.. I know I'll mess it up and regret it.

 

Peter's right, Dahlias are late flowering in the main so there's no need to rush them and if you let the frost rt them they will not survive. Just be patient and follow the advice given which all looks good to me...

 

It's not the putting out I'm concerned about, it was the dividing.

 

Don't be put off Kyle. The only way that you learn is by having a go. I would just suggest that you don't do anything yet. There is no point in dividing them until you are ready to put them out.

 

I'll read up on it and look at pictures before I try

 

No. more like a tiny pimple. They'll get more noticeable when they're ready to grow.

 

I bought some very similar to yours kyleleonard, I'm gonna put mine out as soon as I hear warming weather is on its way. I'm in the south, so its never that cold down here.

My tulips are on there way up already.

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner PGM

 

Thanks.

I'm 31 and totally new to this, but I think I've caught the bug. I expect to be spending quite a bit of time on here learning.

 

Good evening PGM and welcome to the site.

 

Sorry if I'm saying something you already know, or others have said:

You shouldn't plant them outside in February - they can't hack a frost. If you leave them out, over-winter, and cover them with some straw or leaves or something to try to keep the cold off the soil, in most years they will be fine.

If you lift them (or have bought new ones) then you can start them off in February (or later) in a heated greenhouse / conservatory / windowsill courtesy of a willing partner! They will sprout and you can then take cuttings from the shoots, or divide them, or just take the opportunity to start them off really early.

You then plant them out after danger of frosts has past - in May perhaps - and they will flower earlier than the ones that were left in the ground (or you will have used the opportunity to take loads of cuttings to bulk-up your stock).

I reckon to get about 5 or 6 new plants, from cuttings, from each tuber and they, and the original tuber, will flower in the first year