When do I cut back my dahlia plant for winter and how low?
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
Growing garlic
Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.
How to keep mice out of your garden?
Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
Squash Plants Large and Healthy and no Squash Growing?
2nd Season in a ROW! Squash plants growing large and healthy leaves and the stems near the roots are looking healthy and turning dark green, getting flowers that grow... See more
Trail of dead grass mystery?
Trail of dead grass appeared two weeks ago that starts in neighbor's yard and goes to the sidewalk, then continues past the sidewalk in a line into the grass into my ... See more
Let it die back into the corm and then lift and store in shed (frost free) or Mulch. Depends where you live............
That depends on your location.If in a area that gets frost,dig up the tubers and allow to dry completely out and store in a cool dry location.
Unsure of your zone, but here, we dig up the tubers. See the following directions from Gardening Know How!
Gardening Know How - https://www.gardeningknowhow.com
Saving Dahlias: How To Remove And Store Dahlia Tubers
By Bonnie L. Grant
Dahlias[1] are a breeder and collector’s dream. They come in such a wide variety of sizes and colors that there is sure to be a form for any gardener. Dahlia tubers are not terribly winter hardy and will rot in the ground in many regions. They split in freezing temperatures and mold in soggy soil. It is best to dig them up and store them indoors for the cold season and then reinstall them in spring.
Tips for Saving Dahlias
There are several ways of storing dahlia tubers for winter. The crucial part of the process is cleaning and drying. However, even the best methods still require you to inspect the tubers occasionally over the course of the winter. Environmental changes in the storage location, such as increased humidity[2] or fluctuating temperatures, can still damage overwintering dahlia tubers.
Whether you have the dinner plate sized bombshells or the dainty lollipop variety, it is important to know how to remove and store dahlia tubers. The plants are perennials in USDA plant hardiness zones[3] 6 to 7 but will succumb in the ground in lower zones. So, your choice in colder climates is to treat them like annuals or dig them up for storage. Dahlia storing only takes a few minutes and a couple of inexpensive materials.
How to Remove and Store Dahlia Tubers
Wait until the foliage has turned yellow before digging up the tubers. This is important so that the plant can gather energy for the following year. It will store starches in the tuber which will fuel initial sprouting in summer.
Cut off the foliage and carefully dig out the tubers. Brush off excess dirt and let the tubers dry for a few days. If possible, hang them upside down when drying them so that moisture can leach out of them.
Drying is important to saving dahlias over winter and preventing them from rotting. However, they do need to keep slightly moist on the interior to keep the embryo alive. Once the skin is wrinkled, the tubers should be dry enough. Once they are dry, they are packed away.
Storing Dahlia Tubers for Winter
Gardeners differ on the best way to pack overwintering dahlia tubers. Some swear by packing them in peat moss or sand in trays in an area about 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (4-7 C.). You may also try storing them in a heavy plastic bag with packing material or even a Styrofoam ice chest. Separate the roots from each other with peat[4], cedar chips or perlite[5]. In temperate zones where freezes are not sustained, you can store them in a basement or garage in a paper bag.
Some gardeners advise dusting the tubers with a fungicide before packing. Whatever method of dahlia storage you choose, you will need to check the tubers occasionally to ensure they are not rotting. Remove any that might be getting rot to prevent them from affecting all the tubers.
Plant them out again after all danger of frost has passed and enjoy their brilliant tones and flashy forms.