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Dahlia dilemma

chat2elenachat2elena Posts: 25
in Plants
Hello, I planted a pretty single petal dahlia (I think it was Mystic illusion) last year and as I have nowhere to store it, I left it in the ground. I went to dig it up this spring to dispose of and found healthy plump tubers so I covered it back up. Nothing has yet come up, is there something I should have or should do, will it grow?
Thank you
Helena

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,324
    Have you been watering it? Lots of dahlias come back reliably if the ground is well draining enough and we had a fairly mild winter. But I'd start worrying if it hasn't started growing by now. The worst thing you could do would be to start digging about it and break any growing tips that are trying to emerge. Believe me...we've all done that and it's not great. If it hasn't been watered it may have perished and dried out. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,256
    Watch out for slugs too. They'll eat the shoots right back to the tuber and you'll assume that nothing grew.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • chat2elenachat2elena Posts: 25
    Thank you!
    I’ve watered it very sparingly as I thought that was the way to go so maybe it has dried out. I’ll wait for a bit longer 🤞
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,324
    One of my newly potted ones had a lovely growing tip and of course a squirrel had to damage it...thankfully it grew a couple more so all is fine. They're worth a bit of coddling for all the glorious blooms 😉 good luck with it. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • chat2elenachat2elena Posts: 25
    Yes mine was stunning last year so hopefully it’s not too late. Thank you
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