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Dahlia tubers storage over winter


Dahlia Storing - Tips For Overwintering Dahlia Tubers

Dahlia Flowers

By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Image by Goldfinch5ever

Dahlias 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 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 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 F. (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, cedar chips, or perlite. 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.

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How To Overwinter Dahlias (Storing Dahlia Tubers & Winter Care Tips)

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Overwintering dahlias is not hard, and it’s well worth the effort to keep them year after year. In this post, I’ll show you three methods to try, as well as when and how to dig up the tubers, instructions for storing them, winter care tips, and much more.

No matter where you live, you can easily keep dahlias over winter, and regrow them every year. Even if you live in a frozen tundra like I do here in Minnesota.

Thank goodness, because I love dahlias. They are a gorgeous addition to my summer garden, and they add such a cool tropical feel.

 

Overwintering dahlias is not only convenient, it’s a huge money saver too. It means that you don’t have to buy new ones every spring. Woohoo!

Below I’m going to walk to you through three different methods of saving dahlias tubers over winter. I’ll tell you everything you need to know, and make it super simple for you.

Table of Contents

Will Dahlias Survive The Winter?

Believe it or not, dahlias can survive the winter as long as you use the right method to overwinter them.

Though most people buy them as annuals, they are tender perennials. That means they can live for many years in the warmer areas of zones 8 and above.

But if you live in a cold climate like I do, they won’t survive through the winter outside. So we must bring them indoors if we want to keep them.

Related Post: How To Overwinter Plants: The Complete Guide

Dahlias blooming in my summer garden

Methods Of Overwintering Dahlias

When it comes to overwintering dahlias, you have three options to choose from. I will describe each method in detail in the section below.

  1. Leaving dahlias in the ground over winter
  2. Overwintering dahlias in pots
  3. Digging and storing dahlia tubers for winter

How To Overwinter Dahlias

Deciding which method to use for keeping dahlias over winter will depend on where you live, and also where you planted them.

1. Leaving Dahlias In The Ground Over Winter

If you live in zone 8 or higher, then you can leave your dahlias in the ground over winter. They will stay alive and continue to bloom year round in frost-free areas.

But the foliage will die back and the tubers will go dormant if the air temperature gets below freezing. In that case, cut the plant all the way down to the ground once it dies.

Some people in as low as zone 7 have been able to leave them in the ground in either a warm microclimate in their yard, or by giving them extra winter protection. They will survive long as the ground never freezes.

2. Overwintering Dahlias In Pots

You can leave dahlias in pots over winter too. If you want to try this method, then leave them outside until frost has killed the foliage.

Leaving them outside when the weather cools down in the fall will trigger dormancy. Once the leaves die, cut them back to the soil level, and move the container indoors before freezing temperatures arrive.

If a hard freeze is in the forecast, move the container into an unheated garage or shed to protect them.

The goal is to keep the pot cool enough so that the plant will go dormant before bringing it inside, but the bulbs won’t freeze.

3. Digging & Storing Dahlia Tubers For Winter

The most popular method of overwintering dahlias is digging up and storing the tubers. If yours are planted in the garden, then this is the method you’ll need to use. Don’t worry, it’s simple.

As the weather cools down in the fall, they will start to naturally go dormant. You can leave them in the ground until they are completely dormant, or wait until the first hard frost kills the plant.

There’s no rush to get them out, which is part of what I love about them. However, you’ll definitely need to lift them before the ground freezes.

Related Post: How To Store Bulbs For The Winter

Dahlia Rigletto planted in the ground

Preparing Dahlias For Winter Storage

If your dahlias are in the ground, then follow these tips for when and how to dig them up and prepare them for winter storage.

When To Dig Up Dahlias

The good news is that you have a lot of time to dig up your dahlias. They are very forgiving, and the tubers won’t be hurt by frost.

The best time to lift the bulbs is after frost has killed the plant, but before the ground freezes. Exposing them to cold temps will trigger them to naturally go dormant, so it’s much easier to store them.

How To Lift Dahlia Tubers

To lift dahlia tubers, I like to use a garden fork, but a spade shovel would work too. In order to avoid cutting or damaging the bulbs, start digging at least a foot away from the center stem.

After you pop them out, gently shake off any excess dirt, and then cut off the stem and leaves.

There’s no need to rinse the dirt off or split the bulbs apart. Just leave them in one large clump with a little bit of soil, and they’re ready for winter storage.

Drying Dahlia Tubers Before Overwintering

Before storing dahlia tubers for winter, you should cure (dry them) first. That way there’s less risk of them rotting or molding.

Allow large clumps to dry for at least a week, and smaller bulbs only for a few days. To do that, spread them out on a shelf or the ground in a cool, dry location – I cure mine in the garage.

Curing my dahlia tubers before storing and overwintering them

How To Store Dahlia Tubers Over Winter

Below I’ll give you the steps for how to overwinter dahlia tubers, and where to store them. If yours is in a pot, then you can skip the section about packing them, and just store them right in their container.

Packing Dahlia Bulbs For Storage

After digging and curing your dahlia tubers, it’s time to pack them up for storage. Some people have great success just tossing them into a paper bag, or loosely wrapping them in newspaper.

But smaller ones can dry out that way. So instead, I pack mine in a cardboard box filled with peat moss or coco coir.

You could use a similar packing material like pet bedding, sawdust, or a mix of vermiculite and perlite if you prefer. Any of those would work great too.

Place individual bulbs or clumps into the box so they aren’t touching each other, then completely cover them with packing material. As long as they aren’t touching, you can layer several tubers in one box.

Whatever you do, don’t use plastic bags or containers to store them. If they are kept too wet they will likely rot or get moldy.

Where To Store Dahlia Tubers

Where you store dahlia tubers for winter is important. Keep them in a cool, dark, and dry location that stays above freezing.

Ideally, the temperature range should stay between 50-60°F. If it’s too warm or cold, your bulbs could rot. Good options are a heated garage, unfinished basement, a cool closet, or root cellar if you have one.

My dahlia tubers packed in a box and ready for winter storage

Dahlia Winter Care Tips

Besides keeping them from getting too hot or cold, there’s not much you need to do to care for dormant dahlias over winter.

It’s a good idea to check on them every so often to make sure they aren’t drying out too much, or staying too wet. If you find any that are molding, then discard them so it won’t spread to the others.

On the other hand, if they seem to be drying out too much, then you can spritz them with water to rehydrate them a bit. Just make sure they aren’t too wet.

Replanting Dahlia Tubers After Overwintering

When you successfully overwinter dahlias, you might find that you’re very antsy to get them replanted in the spring. But hold on! In order for them to survive, you must do it at the right time.

When To Plant Dahlias

You should wait to plant dahlia bulbs until after all chance of frost is gone, and the ground has warmed up in spring or early summer.

Take care not to plant them too early, or they may not grow. Ideally the ground temperature should be at least 60°F (you can use a soil thermometer to check it).

How To Prepare Dahlia Bulbs For Planting

There isn’t anything special you need to do to prepare dahlia bulbs for planting. Many people have success pulling the dormant tubers out of storage, and planting them directly into the ground.

However, to wake them up faster, you could soak them in warm water first. I like to soak mine in a compost tea solution to help break dormancy, and give them a little extra boost. But this step is completely optional.

Starting Dahlia Tubers Indoors

If you’re too impatient to wait until it’s warm enough outside, you can start dahlia tubers indoors 4-6 weeks before you want to plant them.

Pot them up into a container that has drainage holes, give them a good drink of water, and place them in a warm and sunny location. Using a heat mat will help them break dormancy faster.

A magenta dahlia flower in my garden

FAQs About Overwintering Dahlias

Below I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about overwintering dahlias. If you can’t find your answer here, ask about it in the comments below.

Can dahlias grow indoors over winter?

While you certainly can grow dahlias indoors over winter, it’s fairly difficult to keep them thriving. They need a lot of sunlight, and are prone to bugs infestations.

You’ll likely find that it’s much easier to overwinter dahlias in their dormant state, rather than trying to keep them alive indoors.

Can you overwinter dahlias in pots?

Yes, you can overwinter dahlias in pots, and it is very easy. Once frost has killed the plant, simply cut it back, bring the container inside, and store it in a cool, dry place until spring.

Can you leave dahlias in the ground over winter?

Yes, you can leave dahlias in the ground over winter if you live in zones 8 or higher. As long as the ground doesn’t freeze, they will survive just fine outside.

How long can you store dahlia tubers?

You can store dahlia tubers for several months without any problem. However, if you store them for too long, they will eventually dry out and die. So it’s best to replant them every year, even if you can’t get to it until later in the summer.

Overwintering dahlias and storing the tubers is very easy, and a great way to save yourself some cash. Plus you’ll be able to keep your favorite varieties for many years to come.

If you want to learn all you need to know in order to successfully keep plants alive thorough the darkest and coldest months of the year, then you need my Winter Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you exactly how to keep indoor plants thriving no matter what the weather is outside. Download your copy today.

Most Posts About Overwintering Plants

Share your tips for overwintering dahlia tubers in the comments below.

How to keep dahlias in winter - Soncesad How to keep dahlias in winter - Soncesad

Autumn chores in the garden include taking care of those plants that cannot winter outside. Dahlia rhizomes are also dug up and stored until the next season. How to do it right so that next summer the flowers continue to decorate the front gardens with their unusual beauty, knows the expert of "SontseSad" Podgaynaya A.S., a leading specialist of the Botanical Garden of the University. IN AND. Vernadsky. nine0005

You can store dahlia tubers in a cool, dry place - a cellar or even at room conditions.

✔ Thick paper is placed in the boxes so that its edges come out, pour 3 cm of earth and put corms in one row. Then everyone is again covered with earth, trying to fill all the voids - in this form, the planting material is preserved by almost 100%.

⌂ Photo: Storage of dahlia rhizomes in the ground

✔ Another effective storage method is on racks in the cellar at an air temperature of 3-6°C and humidity of at least 70%. To avoid air stagnation three times a week turn on the fan for 20-30 minutes.

⌂ Photo: Storage on racks in the cellar

Rotting corms are the main reason for the loss of planting material. Often the upper part of the stump left after cutting rots. Rot quickly spreads and captures the root collar. But it is not so easy to externally distinguish healthy corms from those affected by the disease. You can avoid rotting by cleaning the stump well, freeing it from the peel to the very root collar, and then drying it for 2-3 hours. nine0007

Storage in a dry place can also cause loss of planting material. To avoid this, dug out tubers need to be dipped in a clay mash (one bucket - 1 cup of ash, 0.5 cups of slaked lime) or rinse them well and soak for 30 minutes in a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate (3 g per bucket of water), then treat with a solution of insecticide and, in the dried state, spread out in a layer of 2-3 tubers in a dry room that does not freeze through in winter. In the spring, by lightly tapping on the tuber, free it from the clay crust and proceed to planting. nine0007

✔ The ideal place to store dahlias is a cellar or basement with a temperature of 1-7°C and a relative humidity of 80-100%. Under such conditions, the planting material dries out less and does not germinate ahead of time.

✔ Rooms with a temperature of 1-10°C and a humidity of 50-80% are also suitable. Disinfected corms are laid out in one row, carefully filling all the gaps with sand, crushed peat, coniferous sawdust, vermiculite or perlite. nine0007

⌂ Photo: storage with sand and sawdust

✔ In dry rooms (an apartment, heated cellar) corms are stored in hermetic small plastic bags, sprinkled with dry insulation material (perli, vermiculite, peep ).

⌂ Photo: Storing in bags

Inspect corms often - remove the affected parts to healthy tissue and treat with mixture colloidal sulfur with slaked lime 1:1 or foundationazole.

How to properly store dahlias in winter

Dahlias are extraordinarily beautiful and, moreover, long-blooming root-tuber perennials.

For some time they were undeservedly forgotten by amateur gardeners because of the abundance of other bright, lush perennial flowers. But in recent years, dahlias have come back into fashion.

They break all records for popularity in Western Europe, as well as in the USA and Canada. And we have many gardeners returning them to their gardens. nine0007

Today, through the efforts of foreign and domestic breeders, many unique, large-flowered, multi-color varieties have been created that simply amaze with their magnificence.

You can read about the history of the origin of dahlias, their biological features, planting and caring for them in our published article:

"How to grow dahlias in your garden."

Dahlias are good for everyone. But there is one inconvenience when growing them. Since these plants are very thermophilic, their root tubers are not able to survive the cold snowy winter that prevails over most of the territory of our country. nine0007

Therefore, every year, in autumn, dahlia root tubers are dug up and stored until next winter under certain conditions.

About when and how to properly dig dahlias, we described in detail in our article:

"When and how to dig dahlias."

In this article we will talk about how to properly store dahlias in winter.

PREPARING DAHALHINES FOR WINTER STORAGE

Before we start talking about how to store dahlias in winter, we will tell you in detail how to prepare their root tubers for long winter storage. nine0007

After all, it depends on this whether dahlias survive until spring or not. With improper or careless preparation, they will surely rot or be affected by some kind of fungal disease. The lack of moisture will lead to the desiccation of the tubers, and eventually - also - to their death. Therefore, take this operation very seriously.

Treatment of tubers after harvesting . Rinse the dug out root tubers well under running water from the earth and dirt and plant residues. Tubers must be absolutely clean. nine0007

After that, place the dahlias in a raspberry solution of medium strength potassium permanganate (without a purple tint) for a couple of hours.

Then dry the tubers well with a dry cloth (preferably with a piece of an old cotton sheet) and place them in a dry, ventilated room with a temperature not higher than + 16 degrees for drying for 10-12 days.

Treatment of dried dahlia roots . After drying, carefully inspect each root tuber. Carefully cut off all thin and dried shoots from it, treating the remaining stumps with potassium permanganate, brilliant green or Maxim. nine0007

In all treatments, be careful not to damage the root neck. After all, it is on it in the spring that dormant buds wake up, from which sprouts of a new flower will appear.

4 WAYS: HOW TO STORE DAHALHINS IN THE WINTER

Despite how well city apartments are heated today, in which the temperature sometimes exceeds + 26 degrees, it is quite difficult to keep dahlias in them until spring. The main reason is the drying of their root tubers.

However, even in the apartment you can find corners where dahlia root tubers lie perfectly until spring. The key is to keep it dark and cool. For example, on the top shelf of a closet in the hallway, in a cardboard box by the balcony door, or in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. nine0007

You can also store dahlias at room temperature, if you provide some kind of artificial coating (shell) to the root tubers.

Every grower has their own way of storing dahlias in the winter. Let's look at the most common ones.

How to store dahlias wrapped in paraffin. This is one of the most common ways to store dahlias at room temperature.

For waxing, use the cheapest candles without any dyes or other additives. Pure paraffin can also be bought at a pharmacy. nine0007

Divide the root tubers into several parts so that at least one bud remains on each.

It is physically impossible to paraffin a large root tuber hermetically: there will definitely remain untreated areas available for the penetration of air, and hence pathogenic bacteria.

Tie the neck of each division with a thick long thread, by which you will hold the dahlias while dipping them in paraffin, so as not to burn your hands, because the division must be completely immersed in liquid paraffin. nine0007

Only heat the paraffin in a water bath, not on an open fire. Its temperature should not exceed + 65 degrees. Boil water in a large bowl or saucepan. Place a container with paraffin in boiling water (in no case should water get into the paraffin).

Holding the cutting by the thread, quickly submerge it completely in liquid paraffin and immediately remove it so that the roots do not boil. The entire delenka along with the root collar should be covered with the shell so that air does not get to the root tuber. nine0007

Paraffin will harden quickly. Then place the finished, sheathed delenka in a cardboard box with the root neck up. Remove the box filled with planting material until spring in the closet, under the bed, in the pantry - anywhere away from the batteries.

In spring, dahlias can be planted in the ground with paraffin, because the sprouts will easily grow through it.

Waxing will reliably protect dahlias from drying out, rotting and various diseases.

How to store dahlias in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator . This is the second most popular way to store dahlias. It is used with a small number of root tubers.

When stored in this way, it is not necessary to cut the tubers into sections. Before storing, treat dahlias with Fitosporin M solution at the dosage indicated on the package.

Dry well and place in food bags or wrap in kraft paper and place in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. If dahlias are put in the refrigerator just like that without packaging, then their roots will become damp during the winter and begin to rot. nine0007

The package will not allow moisture from the root tubers to evaporate, a certain microclimate is formed under it, which will allow the planting material to be well preserved until spring.

How to store dahlias in clay . Instead of paraffin, you can store dahlias in a clay shell.

To do this, dip the root tubers several times in a creamy clay mash.

After the first immersion in the mash, dry the roots very well (the clay must be completely dry and hardened). Then 2-3 more times repeat the whole process from immersion in clay until completely dry. nine0007

As a result, a dense crust of clay should form, completely wrapping around the entire root tuber. It is necessary to store dahlias in a clay shell until spring in the same way as when waxing.

In the spring, before planting in the ground, soak the roots with clay in water to wash them off. A thin layer of clay may remain. Strong sprouts will still make their way through it to light and warmth.

How to store dahlias in vermiculite or sawdust . On an insulated loggia or in a warm basement of a country house, dahlias are very well preserved in vermiculite or sawdust. To do this, use thick cardboard boxes or basins. nine0007

Sprinkle 10 cm of vermiculite or sawdust on the bottom. Put dahlia root tubers on it with the root neck up and completely cover them with the same vermiculite (or sawdust).

The layer above the planting material must be at least 5 cm.

Make sure that the temperature in the room (or on the loggia) does not fall below + 5 degrees.

Gardeners use other ways to store dahlias in winter. But they are less popular and more labor intensive. Therefore, we will not talk about them. nine0007

THE BEST VARIETIES OF DAHALHINS FROM OUR COLLECTION

It is very difficult to navigate the variety of species and varieties of dahlias, so we offer you the best varieties from our collection: , Spartacus, Big Brother, Uncle B, Fleur, Floodlight.

Learn more