Dahlia confusion

Heartinthedirt

Morning All - (if anyone's online and not actually in their garden having a lovely time on this glorious day!) Bought some dahlia tubers, never grown them before, read the 'how to' on here but still a bit confused. So, the tuber has several new ones attached, and a couple that have come astray in the bag. Do I plant the whole clump intact, or separate out? Can the stray ones also be planted? Thanks for your help.

AnniD

Plant the whole "clump" in the pot (or ground) 
The stray bits won't come to anything ,there is a an explanation as to why but it's too early and l haven't had my cup of tea yet!
Are you planting it in a pot first before putting it in the garden? 

Heartinthedirt

Hi AnniD - yes, going to start them in pots in the greenhouse. Thanks for your help, enjoy your cuppa!

Busy-Lizzie

What you plant has to have a last year's old stem on it, it will be very short, brown. That's why the bits that fall off don't come to anything. Plant the whole clump, the right way up.

AnniD

Also, there is no need to water the compost until you see shoots appear. Sometimes it's difficult to tell where the old flower stem was, but as long as the "fingers" are pointing downwards you should be fine.
Tea was lovely, thank you 

Kili

If any single Dahlia tubers have a body, neck and a growth point (swollen raised area at top of tuber neck) still intact they can be planted individually.
If its just a single body of a tuber it wont be viable.

Heartinthedirt

AnniD said:

Also, there is no need to water the compost until you see shoots appear. Sometimes it's difficult to tell where the old flower stem was, but as long as the "fingers" are pointing downwards you should be fine.
Tea was lovely, thank you 

I'm more of a coffee person, but I've come to learn that tea tastes AMAZING outdoors!