Dahlia plant issue

BitterKnitter

Hi guys!
I have a couple of beautiful dahlia plants that flowered well last year on the allotment I inherited last year. In late autumn, I cut the plants right down when they showed signs of dying back and covered them with straw.
So far this year, there have been no signs of life! The stalks where I cut back the plants are still brown with no signs of regrowth. 
Are they still dormant or have I killed them?

KeenOnGreen

A bit early for them to all be showing growth above ground.  Only one of mine is sprouting, the rest are all still to show anything, even the ones in the greenhouse.  Wait for warmer weather, and don't forget to give them some liquid feed every week or so, and a bit of watering during dry weather in Spring, and you will be more likely to get a good show of flowers.

Dirty Harry

I potted mine 2 weeks ago, they're in the conservatory and not showing any obvious signs of life yet so I wouldn't worry just yet about ones in the ground.

PurpleRose

I have had a look at all my Dahlia plants. None of them are showing any signs of life yet. I would not worry yet 

BitterKnitter

Thank you everyone and I'll be sure to start giving them a good liquid feed once a week from now on. My comfrey is starting to raise it's head so I'll start making some comfrey tea for further down the line. 

Jemula

Watch out for any slug & snail damage when they do sprout!

JennyJ

As others have said, it's way too early for them to be up.  I don't think feeding is beneficial until they've started growing.

BitterKnitter

Thank you Jenny, it's my first time growing dahlias so it's new to me. When can I expect growth to start?

And thank you jemula! I'll pop in a beer trap when they start to sprout.

Obelixx

It's temperature dependent.  We are warmer than you by a week or two and there's still no signs of growth on the ones I have in the ground and the two new ones I bought and potted up in the polytunnel a week ago haven't done much either and they already had shoots.

JennyJ

BitterKnitter said:

Thank you Jenny, it's my first time growing dahlias so it's new to me. When can I expect growth to start?

It will depend on your local climate and soil.  It varies a bit from year to year but I don't really expect to see mine until May.

Dovefromabove

BitterKnitter said:

Thank you Jenny, it's my first time growing dahlias so it's new to me. When can I expect growth to start?

And thank you jemula! I'll pop in a beer trap when they start to sprout.

The slugs will find the sprouting shoots before you see them ... they'll graze them right down and then you'll never see them ... I'd put in a beer trap now and keep topping it up.