New to Dahlias this year. I’ve been waking up tubers inside and spraying the soil with a spray bottle every few days. Only ones that have leaves – I’m paranoid about over watering because that’s what everywhere says kills dahlias. However there are a couple that look like they need more. I’m in North Carolina, USA, 8b and starting with hardening them off since I’m doing my tomato seedlings now as well. Should I do more water? I have seen the general recommendation for one inch of water per week and at base of plant. Can someone that does automatic watering with drip line say how long they leave theirs on? I was going to get that kind for the two rolling beds I have for these. Probably won’t plant until after next weekend – monitoring overnight temps.
by StorageReasonable644
6 Comments
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Once they have sprouted like that they have roots, you can water them like an ordinary plant 🙂
I purchased dahlias from four different growers this year. All of them were sent with essentially the same instructions, namely to water the tubers, but not to the point of making the soil soggy. So where do people get this impression that dahlias are desert plants? My theory is that the social media advice is all over the map because the tubers are tolerant of such a range of treatments and many methods can work. Then people get overwhelmed by advice and worry about doing something wrong.
The advice to avoid watering is (or should be) targeted to those planting the tubers directly in garden soil. In most parts of the US, the soil is still soggy in the late spring, so the main danger is overwatering. But most potting mixes are bone dry. You need to add some water for the tubers to sprout in a timely way and grow well. Peat-based potting mixes like you have here provide excellent aeration, which minimizes the risk of rotting.
Thanks- the directions I got from growers were to put in damp soil which I did and then not water until sprouts show (sorry I know there’s a better word for that….just exhausted from hauling soil). I also have some paranoia from the ranunculus that I planted last fall and then we had a ton of snow over them so only one grew out of too many 🤣 I agree the dahlia tubers seem more sturdy than the ranunculus bulbs too so was starting to question that.
I’ve struggled with ranunculus, too! Bottom line, it looks like your plants would benefit from more water. I’ve had plenty of tubers rot in my garden (usually after heavy rain, or with an assist from voles) but I don’t think I’ve ever lost one planted in a proper pot and potting mix (many years, hundreds of tubers).
Water them. That one looks like it’s drying to a crisp.