Dahlia Dilemas

TimmyMagic

I am hoping for some advice on planting dahlias. 

I stored them over winter in our shed. They were wrapped in newspaper and put in a large cardboard box. Before doing this I divided them as some were in huge clumps. I'd never done this before (a year ago I'd never heard of dahlias!) but I followed a video on YouTube. I could not see the 'eyes' very clearly so didn't go overboard.

Anyway, I have just unwrapped them and they seem to have survived. There were just one or two that were rotten but it did not spread. Here they are indoors as of 10 minutes ago:

#Q1 - I read that the 'eyes' are more visible in spring than in autumn. Are the bits with growth the 'eyes' and if so, should I divide more? Such as split this one down the middle...

#Q2 - Some of the tubers are very shriveled / dehydrated. Should I soak them in water before planting? Such as ones like these...

#Q3 - I have a few that are very small, which I thought did not have an 'eye', but I kept them just in case. There is growth at the very top, so will these be okay? Such as...

#Q4 - One batch did not flower last year. They have the most sad looking tubers. Does this mean they are unlikely to grow again? There was lots of foliage but no flowers. Here they are...

They were the only ones that did not flower and they are the worst looking tubers by far, especially this one above. I'm guessing it's a goner!

#Q5 - Last year most were planted in pots. This year I want to plant direct into the flower bed as there is space. But should I start them off in pots then transfer them? I've read that snails are a pest and I guess putting in pots first would offer protection. Or is it okay to just plant them out now (or very soon)?

#Q6 - Is it still too early to plant them out into the soil? I'm in the Greater London area. If not, is it okay to keep them like this indoors for a week or two?

Sorry for so many questions!

Skandi

Every single picture shows new growth so they will all live, I'm not sure if the last couple will manage to flower they do look rather sick. The big clump at the top can be split most certainly, just make sure there is at least one new shoot on each division.

As to planting them out, mine are going out today and I'm a fair bit colder than you, it will take them a few weeks to get above the soil anyway. I plant mine direct but I really go to war on slugs, whether you should start in pots depends on how bad your slug pressure is.

TimmyMagic

Skandi said:

Every single picture shows new growth so they will all live, I'm not sure if the last couple will manage to flower they do look rather sick. The big clump at the top can be split most certainly, just make sure there is at least one new shoot on each division.

As to planting them out, mine are going out today and I'm a fair bit colder than you, it will take them a few weeks to get above the soil anyway. I plant mine direct but I really go to war on slugs, whether you should start in pots depends on how bad your slug pressure is.

Thanks Skandi.

I will have a go at dividing the top one. I presume the new growth is an 'eye', right? 

We have a vegetable patch and I think I'll plant the sick looking ones down there, out of sight. If they flower, great. If not, no big deal.

It's good to know you're planting out today. That gives me comfort as they take up a lot of room indoors. I'll probably plant out next week!

Daniel Rutherford

I grow a lot of dahlias and if I was u I’d plant them all just the way they are and see how they get on.

whether that is indoors or not is down to where u live really as mine are still indoors in pots and will be until at least end of may as there’s still a good chance of frosts for me but I live up in Northumberland so might be different for u.

they are pretty easy as long as they are kept free of frosts and the ones that didn’t flower should this year if they grow!!

Helix

I’m so glad someone else’s dahlia’s have some that are as shrunken as mine!  My neighbour’s always look so plump....  

TimmyMagic

Daniel Rutherford said:

I grow a lot of dahlias and if I was u I’d plant them all just the way they are and see how they get on.

whether that is indoors or not is down to where u live really as mine are still indoors in pots and will be until at least end of may as there’s still a good chance of frosts for me but I live up in Northumberland so might be different for u.

they are pretty easy as long as they are kept free of frosts and the ones that didn’t flower should this year if they grow!!

Thanks Daniel... and it's good to know the ones that didn't flower should flower this year! Last year I didn't know as much and did not feed them or cut off the growing tip, etc. I'm hoping for a better display this year!

TimmyMagic

Helix said:

I’m so glad someone else’s dahlia’s have some that are as shrunken as mine!  My neighbour’s always look so plump....  

I'm glad to be of service

They are not all like that though. Are these plump enough for you:

nultyphilip224

@TimmyMagic,..they all look like they will produce growth,..i think everyone has assured you of that and given all good advise,..one question you asked,..where is the eye?,..the eye is found at the part that will produce growth and turn into foliage,..your first image where your fingers are is where the eye is located,..its just a small nodule at first,..some tubers have 1 others 2 or 3 and some even more.

Your 3rd image,..appears to have an eye at the opposite end to your fingers,..the tuber looks shrunken but its fine to produce growth.

Loxley

TimmyMagic said:Are these plump enough for you:

 Phwoar!

TimmyMagic

nultyphilip224 said:

@TimmyMagic,..they all look like they will produce growth,..i think everyone has assured you of that and given all good advise,..one question you asked,..where is the eye?,..the eye is found at the part that will produce growth and turn into foliage,..your first image where your fingers are is where the eye is located,..its just a small nodule at first,..some tubers have 1 others 2 or 3 and some even more.

Your 3rd image,..appears to have an eye at the opposite end to your fingers,..the tuber looks shrunken but its fine to produce growth.

Thanks Philip. Yes, lots of terrific advice and very reassuring.

Here's a bigger version of the 3rd image... is the arrow pointing to where you mean? Or do you mean the bit where there is actual growth, just below?

TimmyMagic

WillDB said:

Phwoar!

Yes, very sexy!