Sprouting Dahlias

justflowers

I stored my Dahlia tubers over winter and potted them up on 27th March, along with two dahlias belonging to my son and five new tubers which were a gift to my daughter.  I've stored them in my shed, which has some, but not much, light from a window. All of the tubers seemed to be healthy, however none of them have yet sprouted and I'm concerned that I've done something wrong.  I used a standard peat free compost to pot them and didn't water the pots as I know they can rot easily.  I did water the pots at the weekend though as they were starting to feel rather dry.  Do I just need to be patient or should I be doing something else?  I am more concerned as the plants are not all mine!  Any advice would be welcome!

Ruthmshaw

Bring them indoors and put them somewhere light and warm. I started mine off indoors and when they sprouted transferred 2 to the shed where they have not put on any more growth and the rest in a plastic greenhouse where they are making good progress. I think light is your issue.

justflowers

Thanks @Ruthmshaw - I will give that a try.  Fingers crossed!

Nanny Beach

Normally I do the Sarah raven method,pot up in March, exclude light, I cover the pots with a plant pot saucer, leave them in a frost free green house for 10 days,have a peek if no growth, repeat.Hubby did them this year left uncovered,they are nowhere as wet advanced

JennyJ

My new ones are also in the shed and potted up late March. They've just started sprouting in the last few days. It's been pretty cold so I think that's held them back, but I don't have space in the house to force them into faster growth (and no greenhouse) so slow and steady it is. I did threaten them with @Nanny Beach 's dark treatment but it turned out not to be necessary.

Fire

Wind and westher in the south is supposed to turn next weekend - so hopefully things will warm up and speed up after that.

justflowers

Thanks all - I will move them to the greenhouse floor - providing other half has left any room! - otherwise a spare bedroom. Again, fingers crossed!

Prunus

I should have read these posts before starting my dahlia tubers in pots. Lots of grit and free draining but I evidently still gave them too much water, and some of the tubers have rotted. Is there any chance that I still might get dahlias from the remaining tubers that didn't rot?

justflowers

Yes I think you do still have a chance  - except for 3, mine have all sprouted now and some of them only in the last couple of days, which is a great relief. Just don't over water and keep them somewhere warm.  Good luck!!

Fire

Prunus said:

I should have read these posts before starting my dahlia tubers in pots. Lots of grit and free draining but I evidently still gave them too much water, and some of the tubers have rotted. Is there any chance that I still might get dahlias from the remaining tubers that didn't rot?

If you think of the conjoined bunch of tubers as a bunch of sausages, it's likely that some of the sausages are fine. When you pot on, just cut off the rotten ones. As long as you have a sprout and some tuber, you will get a result.