I ordered some dahlia tubers. I've never grown them before. Any tips? How to store in zone6. Thanks, ms kitty
I've only grown them once before. From what I remember, they get pretty tall and need to be tied up. I planted mine along a chain link fence which made it easy to adjust as they grew. They need to be dug up at the end of the season and replanted every year. You can just put them in a bag and keep them in the basement over winter. Any place dry will work as long as they don't freeze. Hope that is helpful
re: Tips for growing dahlias.!!!!!!! These beautiful flowers are planted in mid-April through May. When the ground temperature reach about 60 degrees they should be planted in open and in sunny location, except in so hotter climates where some protection from sun is desirable, (I suggest from afternoon sun). Within 30 days and 3-4 weeks after planting use of low-nitrogen fertilizer is recommended. The care is simple-needs sunny location, adequate water, light fertilizer. Be cautious not to be use heavy fertilizer. Can use fertilizer for any kind of weeds, if desirable. Storing dahlia bulbs for the next season can be done easily-tubers can simply be layered in crafts or cardboard boxes with newspapers in between the layers. A storage medium such as slightly dampered peat moss, sand or pet bedding is ideal. A cool area is best for winter storage.
I grew them for the first time in a container, I think I had them too close, I had put 3 plants in a larger container. Some of the leaves on the stems were bare.
When your bulbs arrive, you could pot them up and keep them indoors until after the last frost date. I have also had luck planting the tubers directly in the garden after the last frost - they don't bloom until late in the season anyway. As for storing them - after the first frost has killed the tops, dig up the tubers and bring them inside. I lay mine on newspaper until they dry and then I store them in a cool, dark place. I'm in zone 5.
Netty...I think that is what's wrong when I tried to save my canna bulbs, I didn't let the frost hit them because I am too big of a hurry to empty all of my containers. I don't enjoy doing outdoor gardening chores in the cold weather.
