How to Save Dahlias for the Coming Spring Dig up those dahlias to enjoy another year of bountiful blooms. Dahlias are native to the highlands of Mexico & Central America. There are 35 species found in the wild and more than 20,000 cultivars. Their popularity is no surprise. Not only are they colorful additions to any garden but they also bloom prolifically, making them perfect cut flowers. Dahlias are unusual in that they have 8 sets of chromosomes where most plants have only two. This fact of nature is a hybridizer’s dream and it has led to the increasing number of cultivars available to gardeners. They are perennial in mild parts of the country but are not hardy in colder regions like ours. Dahlias are as prolific underground as above, producing an abundance of tubers which are enlarged roots similar to sweet potatoes. These modified roots are storage devices for the plant allowing it to set aside energy during times unsuitable for growth such as dry periods or cool winter months. Not only can you keep your plants from year to year and save money in the process but because they are so prolific you can split them and give them to friends and family. Once your dahlias are hit by a light frost and the foliage turns black, cut the plant back, leaving about 6 inches of stem above the ground (you can compost the tops of the plants). Using a garden fork, lift the dahlia tubers out of the ground, taking care not to break them. Insert the garden fork about a foot from the stem to be on the safe side. You can lightly brush off the soil and cut the stems back to about 3-4 inches and make sure each clump has some stem attached to the tubers. Leave the tubers out to dry in a bright airy spot for a day, and then place them in boxes or bins filled with vermiculite or sand. Bury the tubers so that all parts are covered. Store the tubers in a cool dark spot that does not freeze. Avoid storing near a furnace since the warm dry air will cause shriveling. Be sure to check the bins once or twice every 6-8 weeks. If they appear soft or shivered sprinkle a little water into the vermiculite. If they are still firm to the touch cover them back up and leave them alone. If any appear rotted like a bad potato, promptly remove and discard the damaged tubers. When spring arrives and the soil warms well after the danger of frost, plant the tubers in your garden and enjoy for another season. Sean Conway author of Sean Conway’s Cultivating Life.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 11:46:48 +0000
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