Sprouting Dahlia Bulbs

[Nyboy]

Dahlia tubers where marked clearance a dollar a box. Picked up 10 boxes, notice a lot of them sprouted while in box. The growth while not much is almost white in color, I guess from no light. Any chance they will grow after planting, or should I just return?

 

[Smart Red]

Plant, plant, plant and they will grow, grow, grow! The white color is from lack of sun (a good thing) so they can't use chlorophyll to make sugars. The tubers themselves are feeding the current growth. Once planted, these dahlia tubers should do just great!

My dahlia bed disappeared with the clean-up after the geo-installation. I have no idea where mine will be planted this year. "Sides that, I'll bet my tubers have more growth showing (in the basement) than yours do in the box. Still I'm working on getting them in the ground.

 

[digitS']

Will any of that blanched growth be above ground, NyBoy?

If so, it would be nice of you to cover them with a little newspaper tent. Or, set a row of lawn chairs above all 10 of them after planting to protect them from the sun.

I like to see some growth on the dahlia roots before planting ...

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

You are so right, Steve. I just didn't think to mention it. I always do -- either plant them extra deep or shade the new shoots for a while.

 

[journey11]

Reminds me I have a bucket of sprouting dahlia tubers begging to go in the ground. Priorities...priorities.... I better get off TEG and take care of that!

 

[ninnymary]

Nyboy, you sure seem to find a lot of good deals. I never see any gardening plants on clearance.

Mary

 

[Nyboy]

Mary I think I have built in radar for clearance, nothing above ground biggest growth might be 2 inches.

 

[curly_kate]

I always want to save my dahlias from year to year, but once again, I failed at it. Those of you who save yours, how do you do it?

 

[digitS']

1. Cut to near soil level after frost has damaged the plants.
2. Pile the cut material over the roots to insulate the ground from severe frost but leave them a few more days.
3. Lift roots with a spading fork.
4. Discard last year's tuber, wash and store tubers in garage for a day or two.
5. Pack fresh, sound tubers in peatmoss, carry to basement, leave top of container uncovered.
6. Wish nighty-night and turn off light.

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

1. Dig out after frost with garden fork. Cut the stems off leaving about 3 inches.
2. Set them in the shade to dry a few days. Remove the easiest of the dried soil and move to the basement.
3. Let dry a few weeks, then remove more of the easiest dried soil and separate tubers a bit.
4. Put the tubers in paper bags or cardboard boxes.
5. Place in coolest corner of basement and surround with insulation and darkening material. Leave undisturbed until spring planting time.

We do it differently. I tried covering the tubers with sawdust or peat moss one year and had problems with mold. I have never washed my dahlia tubers before storage. I think that's why my way works without covering the tubers.