Dahlia tuber stunted growth?

Hi all,

I'm growing my Dahlias back last years tubers for the first time. Of the two i put in containers, one didn't seem to shoot although appeared to take root. The other has a stem and a couple a few leaves but i've noticed its growth appears to have halted over the last week or so. I assume they don't take a break and perhaps there is an issue with the conditions? It seems to have positioned its leaves in a more vertical position rather than open more recently. I can't see any signs of disease above ground. There were a few greenfly on the leaves this morning but no real sign of damage.

The obvious things would be too much or little water but according to my moisture meter its ok. Is there a point where its worth taking out and looking at the tuber itself for signs of issues, rot etc? It won't particularly take too kindly to this i'm sure.. I can only compare this to a couple of dahlias i'm growing from seed and they are flourishing.

Thanks for any advice

 

@Mattyp
Depends on the conditions, where are you in the country? Are the containers outside or in a greenhouse? What varieties are you growing?
Dahlias can be variable as to when the tubers sprouts. My first one came through in March and some are only just sprouting these are all in containers in a greenhouse.
The two I have in the ground outside should be popping up between now and mid-June.
Dahlia tubers don't sprout themselves, they can form roots but not shoots. Overwintering dahlias resprout from dormant buds at the base of the old stem, if these are damaged then no shoots, slugs can also graze them off before they get above ground.
I leave about 3" of stem on tubers I'm overwintering.
Sometimes they sprout and then pause while they form roots and then grow away.
Seed grown or from cuttings do seem to grow away better.

 

Central Scotland, I've had the large (D35cm) ceramic container outside for the last 2-3 weeks. Its obviously quite warm during the day at the moment but then it has been down to 5-6C at night and all i've done is put an upturned plastic container with the holes plugged over it as some sort of protection. Its called Dalina Maxi "Starburst". I'm wondering then if the low night temps are not helping and maybe brought it out too early?

I think the lack of stem i left on the other tuber may have been my downfall and reckon it got damaged when i snipped it off too close to the tuber.

Thanks

 

I think you might have got it, with the cold night time temperatures. Mine are still in the greenhouse mainly for mollusc protection; I like them to be a good size before putting into the big pots and moving to the front door, a couple of big, fast growing ones are ready to go out now.

That could be the answer for that one.

 

I did contemplate potting it up as with other plants as it grew but there's no way i was going to lug that container in and out each night but had i put it in a smaller pot initially, would have been more practical to do. But then you do have to do the potting up, so pro's and cons.. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for your help on this!