Dahlia tubers - pot up or plant straight out?

AaronBil

Hello, 

I have a load of Dahlias both bought and from seed from last year that I've put into storage ready for spring.
I've got so many I'm not sure I can accommodate starting them in pots.
What do you guys do - can I plant them straight out in a 4in deep hole early May?

In in Devon
Thanks in advance.

B3

You need to protect them from slugs if the in the ground. I used to put glass jars over the young shoots as soon as I spotted them ,until they were big enough that you could spot the damage and deal with the slugs. If you don't, the slugs will eat the shoots down to the tuber and you'll assume they had never sprouted 

Allotment Boy

B3 said:

You need to protect them from slugs if the in the ground. I used to put glass jars over the young shoots as soon as I spotted them ,until they were big enough that you could spot the damage and deal with the slugs. If you don't, the slugs will eat the shoots down to the tuber and you'll assume they had never sprouted 

Yes that happened to me in the past I thought they had rotted in the ground but when I dug them up the tubers were firm & intact. 
If you can find a crate or large box maybe start them off in that until they have strong shoots then plant. That's what I do if I cant be bothered to do cuttings.

AnniD

I agree, l wouldn't plant them straight out. I have used mushroom boxes (the plastic type) in the past, don't know if you can still get them though.

Bilje

Not sure where you live Aaron I live in the northeast. I'm a potter upper, I have limited undercover ares when I pot up so some are potted up and left outdoors in a shelter spot i.e. against walls fences. We tend not to get late frosts but I'd over them with fleece if frosty. Leaving or planting direct is a no no for me, too much slug damage and much later flowering

Posy

They flower much earlier if you can pot them up and put them in a greenhouse. But slugs are the main issue.