Dahlia tubers

Dirty Harry

I ordered 3 from crocus but I'm not overly impressed-



I've seen them in garden centres, half broken in places but often with so many tubers that it doesn't look so bad but are these three typical of what to expect?

Also, seeing as plenty of bits were already hanging off, can these be planted and expected to grow too?

AnniD

First one looks particularly sad, but l have seen similar to the other two. This year, for the first time, l have soaked the tubers in tepid water prior to planting. This is supposed to plump them up, too early to tell if it worked though. I don't think breaking off the hanging bits would do the tuber any harm, but l don't think the small bits would form large enough plants. 

Dirty Harry

AnniD said:

First one looks particularly sad, but l have seen similar to the other two. This year, for the first time, l have soaked the tubers in tepid water prior to planting. This is supposed to plump them up, too early to tell if it worked though. I don't think breaking off the hanging bits would do the tuber any harm, but l don't think the small bits would form large enough plants. 

I've potted a couple of the larger broken pieces on the off chance there's some joy. The one in the second picture is quite large.

I've sent an email to crocus with these photos as, at it stands, I'm not sure if I'd be best to go and buy more tubers from a garden centre I can inspect first? Or is it worth seeing how these do?

There's always broken pieces on any I've seen but if it's a large clump it's not such an issue compared to these.

Lyn

The only pieces that will grow are bits with a growing stalk like the bits your holding, a broken off bulb bit won’t grow. 
3rd picture is already shooting. 

pitter-patter

Dahlias grow tubers in their first season out of nothing, so if they sprout they can still make very good plants.

I’ve had a beautiful dahlia Art Deco last year and it overwintered in its pot in the garage. I’ve recently dug it up to repot it in fresh compost and I was surprised to see how very small the tubers were.

I think it also depends on the type of dahlia. That being said they do look like they’re a bit dried and broken in places. 

AnniD

I buy mine from a garden centre where l can see what l'm getting, or a specialist like 
https://nationaldahliacollection.co.uk
They are expensive but good quality and you get more choice than you would at a garden centre. 
It depends how quickly Crocus get back to you and what they say, as the choice and availability from suppliers is getting smaller as the weeks go on. 

amancalledgeorge

They are pretty small...I've had the opposite problem with my Wizard of oz dahlias, the tubers are so big I had to get some new temporary pots to start them off, before transferring to the borders in the summer.

Fingers crossed they'll refund you, or find some better ones to send out. Complaining seems to work with online plant material sellers. 

jaffacakes

They look a similar size to the ones i got from sarah raven. Lots of broken bits too  One is just starting to shoot though so hopefully they will be ok.

dancindufas

Oh no mine looked a bit like this i've planted them into pots at yhe start of the week anyway and will see what becomes. Mine werw only 3 tubers for £1 so not expecting much

Dirty Harry

What do folk do if they get tubers that look like that? I've taken all the half-broken bits off as they don't look like they're going to do much given the state of the connection. 

AnniD

@Dirty Harry , have a look here
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-dahlias-from-tubers/
May as well give it a go, nothing to lose after all. Hopefully Crocus will refund or replace.