Dahlias.

Dahlia merckii is not a very exciting dahlia and died off in my garden after a few years.
Tubers are cheap, I would plant up and leave them to chance, many do survive.

 

I've still got my mini dahlias in my garden obviously there are dead now, do I just leave them or dig them up? If I do dig them up what do I do with them? Sorry I'm still Learning.


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I agree. Most years you'll get away with it. Only real issue, for me, with leave-them-in is that they will emerge later, than if brought on in a greenhouse, and thus start flowering later.

 

Its a bit late now to think of digging them up. Leave them be and see if they reappear in Spring , I always leave mine in, last year I bought a load of tubers off the shopping channel, I was channel hopping . Planted the largest in front garden, mostly in the border sheltered by the wall, I did see one or two trying, but they were devoured by slugs as soon as they appeared. . Planting a grass 2/3 weeks ago, I dug up one of them by accident, and it looked very healthy, so I shoved it back in
There was some tubers broken off the main one, so I filled a trug with compost, and scattered all the bits into it, ran copper tape round the trug and i had a fabulous display from them. I have dragged it into greenhouse for winter though.

 

I think that's true, if you bring them indoors you can be pampering them and keeping them warmer, thereby speeding the whole process up. A lot of work, though, digging up, protecting, potting up, (all that expensive compost) finding room in the greenhouse, watering, hardening off, digging holes, planting out, trying not to break off the bulky tops in the process..........I think I'm just too lazy! However, if they are indoors you can protect from SLUGS more easily, a massive predator of young dahlia shoots. If we have a fine dry May the shoots will come up fine in the ground and grow away fast but if we have a season like last year the slugs will have all the shoots before you even realise they are there, and again, and again until the tuber gives up.

I find the smaller, patio ones to be the least hardy, I find they have rarely come back for me. But you never know, you have nothing to lose by leaving them be.

 

Hello everyone sorry for the late reply, the best way is to dig up the dahlias. The best time for this is Autumn when the leaves either get killed by frost and the plant turns black or if there is no frost by December cut them down to the ground and dig up the tuber carefully a few inches away from the plant as to not stick the fork through the tubers. Depending on the size, depends on the size of the tuber. You can check now if you still have them outside, when the snow melts and the ground can be dug. If they still look alive then you have a chance to save them.

I always wash them down with the hose, but if its too late try and wash them indoors to get as much of the dirt off as possible and make sure there no nasty pests lurking. I then let them dry off for a couple of days and turn the tubers upside down to make sure any water drains away from the crown. I then put a dusting of sulphur (which you can buy ay most garden centres) and then I get a normal carrier bag and some woodshavings (sawdust) and place in the bag with the tuber. Make sure you have labelled them just get a bit of paper and put the name down so you don't forget. Some people get a marker pen and write on the tubers.

I carefully make insertions into the bag with a knife. Make sure you don't hurt the tuber in the process. This way you let air into the bag. I tie them up and store them away in a cool dry place. I actually use my spare storage cupboards in my house. Check on them monthly, and by March there are usually sprouts and this means they are ready to be potted up. I keep them indoors or if you have a heated greenhouse you can store them there. If you plan on growing them just in pots you can move these out the last couple of weeks of April or early May. Bringing back inside at night and when all the risk of frost has passed you can leave them outdoors, plant into borders or where ever you want them.

I have done this many times and it has always worked for me. You sometimes might loose a tuber but sadly that's just the way it is. I should mention you can divide the tubers to make more plants. I usually do this when i've washed them. But that is a very complicated process for a novice and I wouldn't advise anyone to do this unless they are careful and know where to divide. Plus I don't want anyone loosing fingers. So if you want to divide them I suggest looking up some videos online.

I will also mention that growing Dahlias from seed is a good way, they always flower first year from seed and you can save the Dahlias you like the most. If you want named varieties buying tubers is the best way.

I think that's all the info I can give, if anyone wants anymore information I will be happy to help.

All the best, Ben

 

I too grew Bishops Children..Got some good ones. Also grow in largish pots to hide in the summer border. For me....in "sunny" Cornwall....Dahlias are hardy. Putting a cloche over some fleece will give early growth. Dahlias werent really my thing but I've grown to like some of them. Living near the national collection of dahlias has inspired me, a little, and some are quite magical.

 

Where's that, then? Sounds good.

 

Hiya madahhlia, the collection is at Marazion, near Penzance in Cornwall. I bought half a dozen varieties last year in flower so knew exactly flower colour, size, etc. I potted them on into larger pots for large plants this summer