Where are my dahlias?

josusa47

In April I planted 24 dahlia tubers, 3 each of 8 varieties.  So far, only four have emerged.  I'm guessing this is because it's been dry so long.  Will the tubers be OK, and start growing when we get some rain? Or should I be keeping them watered?  The first two are growing fast and looking healthy, the more recent are too small to tell.  I also planted asparagus at the same time, and have only one spear, about eight inches tall and very thin. Same question, water them or just wait for rain?

hogweed

I always plant my dahlias in pots first in the g/h  but I do water them. Even before they break the soil so I'm guessing you need to water yours. 

B3

I once planted dahlias straight into the ground.nothing happened.square Eventually, I dug them up to see what was going on.
Each tuber had at least one bright green circle. It was what was left after the slugs had eaten the shoots!
I always start mine off and often leave them in pots.
If you want to put them in the ground and are prepared to be vigilant, you can put a jam jar or similar over each shoot to protect it.
Once the dahlias get bigger, the slugs seem to lose interest.

fidgetbones

I do the same. I went to plant a strong pot grown plant, only to find last years tuber there. It hadn't rotted off, but every shoot had been chewed back down to floor level.

josusa47

I've a few more now, and a single scrawny asparagus spear.  I've covered them with plastic bottles and given them a drink.