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Dahlia tubers

amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
in Plants
I’m a newbie to dahlia tubers 
I picked a couple the other day at supermarket
plan go in back border we’re I’ve couple spaces
thing is as never used before am I better putting in a pot and plant in ground later on or plant into ground now 
also many flowers do you normally get from one tuber 
thanks 😊 
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Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,043
    I would plant them in pots to get them started. It's still quite chilly at nights so keep them somewhere sheltered and be prepared to cover them at night if it's going to be frosty. My new ones are currently in the shed but I'll be moving them into the cold frame when they start to shoot.
    Number of flowers - it depends on the variety and how big the tubers are. Once they get started they'll keep flowering until the frost gets them if you deadhead regularly though. And if you keep them, the tubers get bigger every year, so more flowers.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,944
    I'd put it in a pot first. That way you can protect it from slugs and late frosts.
    The number of flowers depends on the variety, the size and the age of the tuber.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,705
    Some might disagree, but I put mine in "dry" compost. I only start watering them when I see growth
    Devon.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,043
    I find that new ones are usually very dry when they arrive (and probably worse if they've been in a warm shop) and they need a bit of water/damp compost to get them started. My existing ones get left in the ground so they start when they're ready.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,705
    edited March 2021
    by "dry" I mean, as the compost leaves the bag,I don't water them after planting in pots until they start growing.
    Devon.
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 948
    Having seen the size of the tubers being sent out by online companies, I was quite ruthless with my tubers this year, and have split each into several smaller plants. I now have loads (each with stalk and eye)! In the process of potting them up, but have nowhere to store them... am I right in believing that until they start to show, they are ok being kept in the dark? Tia



    Lincolnshire
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,669
    A tip I learned from Sarah raven, pot them up in march,I use cheap anything really, mostly 1 foot diameter, leave tiny bit peeking out of the damp compost,cover completely,exclude all light,put someh after about 10 days,you get pale
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,669
    Growth which soon darkens not sure what happened there
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,669
    Somewhere frost free, half the post vanished
  • amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
    Great thanks guys 
    one question when do I plant into the ground 

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