Dahlia Bulbs: You Can Keep Them From Year to Year
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Dahlias bulbs have a root system of smaller tubers growing underground. The tubers deliver nutrients to the dahlia plants above ground. The blooms make excellent cut flowers. If you are in Zone 8 or higher, dahlias can be left in the garden all year round. You can treat them as perennials. For colder climates, however, the roots should be dug up every fall, stored indoors in the winter, and replanted the following spring.
Pests For thrips, dust the dahlia tubers in floured sulphur prior to planting. Do not plant your dahlias where you previously grew gladiolus, if you are concerned about virus infection. Spray with a systemic insecticide once flower buds begin to develop. Slugs love dahlias. Use slug pellets. Irrigation Unless you had a very dry spring, do not water the soil at planting time to help prevent root rot. Wait until the plant is beginning to grow before you water. Irrigate at the root level. In other areas where the summer months are warm, you may need a drip system. A soaker hose is a good choice, as a thorough soaking is preferable. It will help you with disease prevention. Harvesting the Dahlia Bulbs Wait about seven days after the first frost has blackened the top growth of the foliage. You can then sever the stalk down to six inches. Remove all the dead blooms and excess soil. You can also cut off the smaller roots. Choose shiny, large, firm tubers with eyes. The eyes are at the base of the stem and can be seen better in the spring. When digging the clump of dahlia tubers, do so at least 12 inches away from the stem to avoid damaging the tubers. Leave the stem whole and unbroken. Storing the Dahlia Bulbs Carefully brush off the extra soil from the tubers and rinse clean by hand. Do not wash the skin off. In an upside down position, allow the clumps to dry naturally at room temperature in a dry place for 24 hours. In a plastic bag with holes, place sufficient dry peat moss to store the dahlia tubers. The water- and air-holding capacity of the peat moss will protect the tubers. Make sure the tubers do not touch each other. They must be kept dark, so keep them away from sunlight. If your winter is not very cold, you can dig a pit in the ground and place a mixture of half peat moss and half dampened sand. You will need to mulch heavily with leaves prior to hard frost. Temperature Your dahlia tubers will require a cool temperature, somewhere between 35ºF to 45ºF. A minimum-maximum thermometer will help keep you from guessing if your storage temperature is suitable. If you have a favorable climate, you may be able to store them in your basement. Otherwise, you may want to use your vegetable drawer in the refrigerator. Periodically Check the Dahlia Tubers It is important that the dahlia tubers do not dry out. Check them periodically. If you see signs of shriveling, sprinkle with some warm water. Watch out for condensation. If necessary, air-dry the tubers for a short time. Take out any decaying tubers. Properly storing quality dahlia bulbs will help prevent rot problems. More on Dahlia Bulbs!
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