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How to care for dahlias in winter


How to Overwinter Dahlias

Dahlias are at their best in late summer and fall, when the plants are mature and pumping out tons of blooms. But before the first frost, you have a decision to make. Will you treat your dahlias as annuals and plant a fresh batch of tubers next spring, or save the tubers from your favorite varieties and grow them again next year? If you want to try your hand at overwintering some tubers, read on for step-by-step instructions.

To Dig or Not to Dig

Dahlias are are warm climate plants and they do not tolerate freezing temperatures. If you live in hardiness zones 8-10, where winter temperatures rarely fall below 20° F, the soil provides enough insulation to protect the tubers and it's safe to leave them right in the ground. In late fall, simply cut the plants back to several inches above soil level. They will start growing again in spring.

Dahlia tubers may survive a mild winter outdoors in zone 7 (as long as the soil is well drained and the area is thickly mulched). But in most of zone 7 and in all of zones 3-6, dahlia tubers must be dug up and stored indoors.

For this task you need pruning shears, a shovel or digging fork, survey tape and marker, damp growing mix, and either big nursery pots, black plastic trash bags, paper bags or large boxes. Here's how to do it:

How to Dig and Store the Tubers

1. LABEL. Start by labeling your plants with survey tape (plastic plant labels are too easily lost). Be sure to do this BEFORE you get a frost so you can still see the flowers and evaluate which plants you want to keep. Save only the plants that are strong and healthy, and that really impressed you. There are tons of great dahlias out there and no reason to grow underwhelming ones.

2. CUT BACK. After the first hard frost, try to leave the tubers in the ground for a week or two. While waiting isn't essential, it does help to toughen the skin of the tubers. Don't cut down the plants until right before you dig them. This way water won't accumulate in the hollow stems. When you're ready to dig, cut back all of the stems to within 3-4” of the ground. Re-tie the labels as needed, so they are securely attached. If your dahlias were grown in containers, skip down to the section on packing and storage.

3. DIG. Dig up each root ball, starting at least a foot away from the stem. Depending on the size of the plant, the root ball may be 12” to 18” across and equally deep. Go slowly and be gentle, as the tubers are extremely brittle. During storage, damaged tubers are more susceptible to decay.

4. DRY. If possible, let the clumps air dry for a day or two. But make sure they are protected from frost. Tubers may be divided at this point, or you can wait and do it during the winter or early next spring. If you plan to divide your tubers later, there's no need to wash soil off the clumps. Just store the entire root ball as it came out of the ground. The soil gives them some natural protection from damage and rot. If you want to divide the tubers now (which will save on space if that's an issue) skip ahead to the dividing instructions below.

Packing and Storing Your Dahlias

5. PACK. If you are not dividing the root balls until spring, you can store them in several ways. You can put them in large nursery pots with barely damp potting soil. Or store them in ventilated cardboard boxes or large plastic storage tubs that are partially filled with growing mix, peat moss or vermiculite. Another option is to store several clumps together in a large black plastic trash bag.

Once your dahlias are in storage, the goal is to retain enough moisture to prevent the tubers from shriveling, but allow enough air circulation to avoid rot. This means keeping the tops of the storage tubs or plastic bags loose. The humidity level in your storage area makes a difference, so it may take a few seasons to arrive at the best solution. If the storage area is relatively humid, start with paper bags and boxes. If dry, go with tubs or plastic bags.

6. STORE. Store the pots, boxes or bags in a cool, dark, humid place where the temperature will stay between 40 and 50 degrees F. An unheated basement works well in the coldest climates. In zones 5 and 6 you may be able to keep them in an attached garage. Just make sure there's no chance that the tubers will freeze. A frozen tuber is a dead tuber.

 7. CHECK. Check on your dahlias periodically through the winter. If the storage conditions are too moist, you may get some mushy tubers. Remove them and increase the ventilation to reduce moisture levels. If the tubers are wrinkled and dry, mist them or add some damp growing mix to help them rehydrate.

Tips for Dividing and Replanting

In late winter or very early spring, pull out your dahlias and discard any tubers that are soft or have completely dried out. Then it's time to start dividing the root balls into manageable-sized clumps. If you want to skip dividing and simply replant an entire clump, go ahead. Otherwise, read on.

When dividing a clump of dahlia tubers, each division must wind up with one or more growth eyes. These eyes occur in a very specific location. In the photo below, some of the eyes have begun to sprout, so it's easy to see how they are clustered on the knobby part where the tuber is attached to the stem. No matter how good a tuber looks, if it doesn't have at least one eye, it will not grow a plant.

It takes practice to see the eyes, and dividing clumps of tubers can be intimidating. If you wait until early spring, some of the eyes will start to swell and sprout. This makes it easier to see where to make the cuts. To be on the safe side, you can simply divide large root balls into halves or quarters. Cut down through the middle of the clump, making sure to leave some of last year’s stem attached to each division.

To learn more, you can watch this video on our YouTube channel: How to Overwinter Dahlia Tubers, or read some of the following articles on our website: All About Dahlias, How to Pinch and Stake Dahlias, How to Plant Dahlias (video), and Dahlias: 8 Great Looks.

Learn More:

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 properly store dahlias in winter

Dahlias are unusually beautiful and, moreover, long-flowering 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.

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 characteristics, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Tie the neck of each section 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 section must be completely immersed in liquid paraffin.

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 remove it immediately 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.

Paraffin will set 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 being affected by various diseases.

How to store dahlias in the vegetable compartment of 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.

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.

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.

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.

THE BEST DAHALH VARIETIES FROM OUR COLLECTION

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

DECORATIVE: Blue-eyed, Gits Perfection, Daria in Love, Paso Doble, Mero Constellation, Glory of Nordvik, Passionate, Gypsy Girl, Cream Peach.

CACTUS: Silent Folly, Pastel Set, Aloha, Freewheel, Expression Set.

POM-POMS: Set Fruit Trouble, Sunny Boy, Lipoma.

SEMI-CACTUS: Kennemer, Firebird, Beloved.

MINIATURE: Pablo, Riviera, El Salvador.

You can read more about each variety on our website or in the Spring 2021 catalog.

And you can buy them or order them for spring today!

planting, care, winter storage and how to properly dig

Description and varieties of dahlias

Dahlias are divided into classes based on their appearance and organization of the inflorescence.

9001 in modern 10 most popular varieties are planted:

  1. Varieties collared . Dahlias of this class grow up to 1 meter. They have the appearance of a collar, thanks to the marginal outer row of flowers, at the top of which are twisted smaller and different colors of petals. Hootenanny is a variety that has a yellow heart with a red inflorescence. Very large flowers. Claire de Luna has creamy blooms. An adult bush has a height of 1 meter.
  2. Anemone varieties . The inflorescences are characteristic in appearance and are similar to a terry anemone. They are dressed up in large, oval flowers of one row. The core has oblong tubular petals. In this class, the Boogie Woogie variety can be distinguished. It is distinguished by false ligulate lilac blooms in 3 rows, which creates additional basket volume. Yellow coloration of tubular petals makes the flower visually lush.
  3. Peony varieties . Flowers of this species practically do not differ from the appearance of peonies. False reed flowers form 3 circles and surround tubular petals with a tight fit. Very large baskets. The bush reaches up to 70 centimeters in height, ideal for growing hedges of flowers. The representative of this Fascination class stands out for its neat appearance and pink color of the inflorescence, which mainly emphasizes it against the general background of the flower garden.
  4. Cactus varieties . The disheveled appearance of flowering is characteristic of the name of this class of dahlias. The basket is very large in size with long and sharp petals that randomly diverge from the middle of the flower. Bevensen has a soft purple color and grows up to 1. 5 meters.
  5. Nymphaeal varieties . They have the correct shape and look slightly reminiscent of a water lily. Growth averages about 1 meter, with a flower diameter of 20 centimeters. Flowers, reed form form 7 rows, while several rows in the middle of the flower do not open. Almand Joy won sympathy for itself because of the large size of the flower and the combination of pink and white petals.
  6. Grades spherical . The spherical shape, large inflorescence and high growth distinguish this class from other types of dahlias. Twisted, densely planted reed petals give it a beautiful rounded shape. A bush can have about 20 of these flowering balls at a time. The new variety Icoon attracts the eye with its variegated coloration. Basket color is yellow with red ends.
  7. Decorative varieties . The most common variety in horticulture. Inflorescences have a terry surface with flowers twisted and curved towards the stem. The basket is very large, up to 25 centimeters in diameter. In appearance, the flower is incredibly lush. Variety Agnes Bernauer, a very bright representative of this class. A small bush with a variegated pink color, which attracts the attention of inveterate flower growers.
  8. Mixed varieties . This group of dahlias combines all existing species and hybrid classes, which, for a number of reasons, do not belong to other varieties.
    Peony
    Collar
    Anemone

    But to save yourself the hassle, you can grow annual flowers using seeds. Seeds are sown in late spring, but dahlias will only bloom by August. For earlier flowering, it is recommended to germinate the seeds.

    Planting dahlias with tubers requires careful preparation and a number of nuances:

    1. Dahlias easily tolerate acidic soils, but a neutral environment is best suited.
    2. If the site has soil with very high acidity, adding slaked lime to the soil will help reduce it.
    3. If the acidity is not enough, the soil is enriched with peat.
    4. After digging the site, in autumn, fertilizers such as humus or compost are applied to the soil.
    5. In early spring, the earth is loosened and the wood ash is dug in with a rake.
    6. In order for dahlias to be resistant to various diseases, every year you need to change the place for planting them.
    7. Asters are very susceptible to infection by fungal diseases, so you should not plant dahlias where they grew.

    1. Site selection and preparation

    The choice of landing site must be taken with all responsibility. Dahlia flowers do not tolerate drafts and shadows, so it is recommended to plant them on the windless sunny side of the site.

    Planting soil must have good drainage. Depressions are unacceptable, as excess fluid can accumulate in them, which adversely affects the plant. The soil should be rich in nutrients and have low acidity.

    The structure of the soil is improved by introducing manure, leaf humus, various composts, straw, peat.

    In case of clayey soils, it is necessary to increase the water tightness. This is done using sand, gravel or rock ash.

    2. Preparation of tubers

    With the onset of noticeable warming in the spring, begin the preparation of tubers, which has a number of features:

    1. Clean the tubers from the dried root system;
    2. If there are damages, they should be cut off and then treated with iodine or brilliant green;
    3. Tubers are planted in a box of nutrient-enriched soil so that they can be seen above the ground. It is necessary to provide sunlight and an air temperature of about 20 degrees. In this state, the tubers should stay for 14 days;
    4. With the appearance of visible buds, the tubers are divided into parts. It is necessary that on a piece there is a kidney that already has a root neck;
    5. It is recommended to grow the cut parts of the tubers for a certain period in a box, until the first shoots appear. Then the sprouts are broken off, and the tubers are planted in open ground;
    6. Cut cuttings can germinate, so they can also be planted in the soil. Those that take root are dug up and transplanted to a sunny area.

    3. Outdoor planting technology

    Planting dahlias in open soil has its own principles:

    1. Planting dahlias is carried out exclusively in warm ground. Do it at the beginning of summer;
    2. The planting hole should be three times the size of the root system;
    3. The bottom of the hole is fertilized with manure and sprinkled with a thick layer of earth. This is done so that the roots of the plant do not get burned;
    4. Dahlia tuber, carefully placed in a hole and added dropwise so that the stem of the flower sinks 2 centimeters into the ground;
    5. After planting, make a mulch of sawdust with peat, a layer of about 5 centimeters, and water the plant abundantly.

    How to take care of dahlias

    1. Mulching the area with dahlias will provide protection against slugs. It will save you from the hassle of weeding and loosening the soil and increase the rate of drying of the soil soil on hot summer days.
    2. If there is no precipitation for a long time, it is recommended to fill the flower with water 2 times a week.
    3. Watering in summer should be moderately plentiful. Do not allow excess moisture to stagnate in the roots of the plant, this can lead to their decay.
    4. On days of intense heat, after watering, dahlias should be hilled. This action will prevent moisture from evaporating.
    5. When the time for the next watering comes, the earth is raked and watered, then rolled over again.

    1. Fertilizer

    During the intensive growth of the plant and immediately before planting, various types and methods of fertilizers are used:

    1. It is customary to feed dahlias with manure dissolved in water. Do this once every 14 days.
    2. Initial feeding is carried out a week after planting in the soil. Then their introduction is done with an interval of 10 days. Flower growers recommend making depressions around the stem and fertilizing them, then dig in with a small layer of earth.
    3. A mixture of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and manure is the perfect fertilizer for a flower in late spring.
    4. Don't over-fertilize with nitrogen in the spring to avoid reducing flowering.
    5. Fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus are ideal until mid-summer. To do this, dilute 5 tablespoons of superphosphate in a bucket of water.
    6. At the end of summer one potash fertilizer is applied.

    2. Support

    If high growing varieties of dahlias are selected, the support will need to be installed and secured. The flower has an empty stem, and the wind increase can easily damage it. High dahlia, must be tied to the base of the support.

    If the stem does break, a splint will help save the plant. For this, a strong branch or thin rail is taken and fixed at the site of damage with a rope. The stem itself needs to be provided with reliable support so that it does not tilt in different directions.

    3. Pruning

    Pruned plants have a number of features:

    1. No more than 3 shoots should be left on the bush to achieve quality inflorescences;
    2. Preferably only 2 buds per pedicel;
    3. In order not to inhibit the growth of the flower, dried and finished flowering buds must be removed;
    4. If the dahlia shrub is tall, the lower part of its stem must be trimmed.

    4. Disease and pest control

    The young stem of the flower is attacked by slugs and twotails. As soon as the first manifestations of the presence of pests appear, it is necessary to treat the plant. For these purposes, an indispensable assistant will be a decoction of wormwood.

    Apply it after dark once a week. In the summer months, the bushes are sprayed with aphids and mites. Pests do not tolerate soap solution, so it will be the best remedy in this case.

    How to dig up dahlia tubers

    Every step of digging up dahlias should be taken with the utmost care:

    1. With the onset of the first significant cold weather, the stem of the plant should be cut, leaving only 5 centimeters above the ground.
    2. The cut must be wrapped. Foil is perfect.
    3. Start digging in the morning. The tubers will have a whole day to dry in the air, after which the remnants of the earth are easily removed from the root system, and the fragility of the tuber neck decreases.
    4. 30 centimeters recede from the stem and dig in a circle.
    5. Use a fork to trim long roots. They are introduced into the ground and the entire root of the plant is pushed out.
    6. After digging up all the tubers, they are thoroughly washed under the pressure of water from a hose. Then let it air dry.

    How to properly store tubers in winter

    High-quality storage of tubers in winter is the key to the success of their cultivation.

    But for proper storage, several conventions must be observed:

    1. Tubers left in the winter should not be overdried, otherwise they will germinate weakly;
    2. Visible damage should be removed and cut with charcoal;
    3. An excellent storage temperature would be 5 degrees with average room humidity. Ideally, a basement is suitable, preferably dry;
    4. You can stack the tubers in the peat box so that they are covered on top and bottom.
    5. For better preservation of tubers, wrap them in a film, this will not allow moisture to escape and prevent drying out;
    6. If there is no basement and the tubers will have to be stored in a house or apartment, then they must be placed near a cool place, for example, a balcony;
    7. Paraffin wax is an indispensable tool for storing dahlia tubers in the winter.

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