Dahlia Tubers

In answer to your question Simon, there are several thisngs you can do with your stored tubers

1. Replant them as is
2. Split them & plant the sections
3. Start them into growth & take cuttings


Option 1

You can start them off is trays and replant but the get bigger each year and quickly become unmanagable. Eventually they will deteriate like a lot of plants that are old & big (Iris's for example).

Option 2

If you want to split them all you need to do is to cut the "root" mass into section with a very sharp knife and then dudt the cut surfaces with Sulphur powder, this helps to heal the wound & prevent infection. Once this has drief off, you can set the sections in trays of compost and plant out as normal. When you cut the tubers you must have a peice of the stem attached as the shoots come from the base of the stem & not the tubers, these are mearly food storage for the plant (like a potato). If there is now eye in the section of stem it may not shoot so it's probably best to set up all peices & plant the ones that are shooting.

Option 3

This is the method that I use as I usually need around a 100 plants. what you do is plant the tuber in seed tray of compost, & water it with warm (not boiling) water, this will help soften the "bark" and hel the sew shoots to break thru. Then if possible givv it some bottom heat to get things moving. Soo you'll get shoots coming from the tuber & when they have 3 pairs of leaves cut them off just above the bottom set of leaves,these will then shhot & give you 2 more cutings in a couple of weeks. The cutting you trim below a pair of leaves then remove these leaves & I dip the ends into Hormone rooting powder more for the fungicidal qualities & cos it makes me feel better pu the cuttings into an open compost. I use 1 part compost 1 part Perlite & 1 part sharp sand. It needs to be free draining otherise they'll rot. then cover them over with either a propagator top if they are in a tray or a plastic bag if they are in a pot. Give them some bottom heat if poss & when the tips look nice & fresh green, you can bet they are rooted (usually 2-3 weeks) then pot them up 1st into 3.5" pots then 5" then the garden



If you've got names for them don't forget the labels!!!


Also there is a fourth option, what you do is take more cuttings than you need (don't we all!) And when you've planted out the ones you want the ones that are lef in the 5" pots you can plant in a spare bit of ground in the pots and put them in rows about 1 foot between rows & 6" between pots. let the grow dtraight up & flower (to make sure that the label is correct) & then remove all the other flowers. feed them about 1 or twice a week with tomato fertiliser then about october, lift them pots & all and trim back some of the foiliage. put them in your greenhouse on there sides & let them dry out. These are whats called Pot Tubers and will start into growth quicker than a "field" tuber but won't give you so many cuttings. you can get more of them in a tray however. you take your cutings for the next year from these & consign your old oes to the compost heap or give them away.

Hope that answers everything Simon, time for the second cuppa now