I’ve only ever bought fully grown dahlias, and decided to try from tubers after that full-grown one I got two summers ago didn’t flower it’s 2nd summer (I left them in their pot on my patio over the winter, I’m in zone 9a). I’m sure that wasn’t the only thing I did wrong! I want to start from tubers so that I can understand them more comprehensively and from an earlier stage. I’m so excited! My tubers just arrived in a ziploc bag of wood shavings from Neverland Garden & Flower Farm. How do they look?! Any critical advice for a first-timer growing 5 tubers in pots outside? Thank you, O wise ones, in advance!
Tubers pictured:
• Bloomquist Jean
• caitlin’s joy
• castle drive
• cafe au lair
• sierra glow
by _UrsaMajr_
3 Comments
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The crack on the BQ Jean is concerning, but could just be the angle. Check to make sure the neck is firm and not broken.
No advice on growing in pots for you, but pay attention to your N*P*K levels if you continue to get plants but no blooms. You probably benefit with a phosphorus fertilizer to perk up soil and plant health.
This upcoming summer will be my 3rd season growing dahlias and my 1st season growing them in the ground.
The biggest lesson I learned from growing dahlias from tubers in containers is that it’s both easier AND harder when it’s in a container.
It’s easier to control the growing conditions because you can just move the container as needed when the weather is unfavorable.
It’s harder, however, because that additional control means that it’s easy to screw everything up if you don’t know what you’re doing, since the tuber/dahlia will rely only on you and your knowledge and skills.
My first summer, I bought dozens of tubers, planted all of them in pots, and almost 50% of them rotted because I didn’t know that you SHOULD NOT WATER YOUR POT until the tuber has sent a shoot up and above the soil.
The 2nd summer, I used the [ziploc bag method](https://youtu.be/K7TAKZ_CZZo) to wake up my tubers before planting them in pots and I had a 100% no-rot rate.
In preparation for my 3rd season, I am now waking up my tubers under grow lights so that I can take cuttings from them and multiply my plants. This is more advanced, though, so I don’t recommend it unless you have all the necessary lighting equipment and rooting powders and trays.
But yeah, the biggest advice is to ONLY WATER A TUBER WHEN THERE IS A SHOOT ACTIVELY GROWING from it. Otherwise, it will rot.