Dahlia Single Tubers Why some fail 

Thanks Yesid

Hi Jacqui, I am glad you are growing along with us. The standard advice is to plant out after your last frost date (ours here in Cheshire is 1st week in June, although we all know global warming is changing gardening in so many ways). I'm keeping mine inside until after they are pinched out (4 sets of leaves). Many are there already so I am already hardening those off for a fortnight before getting them in the ground. If we are unlucky and get a frost forecast after they have gone in, then its a simple enough matter to protect them with fleece, straw etc. Good luck and please let us know how things are going.

Yes indeed I've seen that recommendation, so made a point of observing how they did and the evidence it there to see. There is so much conflicting advice about dahlias in particular. But they are robust plants which really do want to perform well so they tolerate lots of different practices, good and bad.

Thanks Michelle. Yes it's common practice but I've not tested it thoroughly until now. It's not critical for us as we grow so many, but if if you have a few loved specimens to grow I would just say be wary of cutting off the tail.

@@MoorfieldFarmFlowers yeah I totally agree, I would never cut one for size, only for damage. I had one damaged so I cut it off and let heal over before potting up, so far it seems fine. I also had a bunch of tubers together with 2 smaller ones near the stem and they had been cut off (most likely when they were pulled out of the ground for storage) and it grew tiny little hair roots while it was in the peat moss bag I had received it in. Thanks for another great video!

Yes they are very resilient plants and just want to grow! In fact I imagine most tubers which sprout at all will go on to develop adequate roots no matter what, but I do wonder if the resulting plants have less vigour. Now there is another matter for testing :)

Hi Laurel, Yes its usual to lift and divide after two or three years to maintain vigour. If left undisturbed the plant is likely to put up so many shoots that resources would be stretched (water, light, food and space). You could limit the shoots to 7 or so, by removing some shoots as they develop but it's another task! As you know there are a number of scenarios at year end. The most common I think, is to lift and store or lift and divide the tubers (autumn or spring), but that increases your stock, you would have to give some away! Dividing into single tubers is really only when planning to increase your stock, as single tubers do need an earlier start to catch up with tuber clumps for productivity - and they will need careful protection from frost in the early season. I hope this helps. Good luck with your growing!

Hi again Laurel, (dont worry about asking questions I appreciate the interaction). I'm not sure I can help much on this. But I know a man who can! Halls of Heddon is a specialist Dahlia (and Chrysanth) nursey and they should be able to answer your question on shade tolerant varieties. Dahlias are Long-Day plants, meaning the signal to flower is linked to day length, when there is more daylight than darkness 12 - 14 hours at least. They also love the sun so shade is going to be an issue for you. The earlier the tubers are set off and then planted the earlier they will flower but this means lifting the tuber and starting them in pots so you can warm them up to trigger growth. and plant them out in mid or late May when they have plenty of leaf already. Leave them in the ground and you are wholly dependant on the weather being kind! Hope this helps a little!

Hi thank you for your question. There is a good chance it would root, but it may be a weak plant. It's something I would not recommend unless the plant was very precious and you have no other way of getting a cutting. Happy growing ! Peter