So , you ’ve imbed your dahlias with care , parent them through the season , and now you ’re wondering when the best time is to labour them up to see their survival until the next growing season . Well , fear not , because I ’m here to steer you through the process !
When it comes to savvy up dahlia , timing is key . You ’ll want to hold off until the top growth of the plant has died back or been killed off by the first hard frost . This signals that the plant is entering quiescence and is train to store energy in its tubers for the winter ahead .
While it may be tempting to apprehend up your dahlias as soon as the first signboard of frost look , it ’s important to exercise patience . Even though the foliage may calculate dead , the tubers are still actively developing underneath the soil Earth’s surface . Allowing them fourth dimension to maturate amply will ensure a healthy start to the next grow time of year .
Typically , the idealistic time to dig up your dahlias shine in the later fall , around 2 to 4 weeks after the first Robert Frost hits your area . wait until this windowpane will give the tubers ample sentence to arrive at their full potential and store up the necessary nutrients for wintertime quiescence .
Before you set out the digging process , it ’s crucial to check that you have the ripe tools on hand . A garden fork or shovel will come in handy for lightly lifting the genus Tuber out of the ground without causing damage . Take care to travail around the plant at a distance to avoid nicking the tubers .
Once you ’ve carefully unearthed the Dahlia pinnata tubers , it ’s time to prepare them for storage . Start by lightly stimulate off any excess territory , being careful not to remove the protective skin on the tuber . Trim back any remaining foliation , pass on a few inches on each bow to help with handling .
Next , it ’s significant to get the tubers dry out for a few hours in a well - give vent area . This will assist forestall rot during storage . Once they ’ve dried out , you may gently brush off any remain soil and inspect the genus Tuber for any signs of damage or disease .
For optimal store condition , place the tubers in a composition board box or paper bag fill up with peat moss or vermiculite . Make certain they are space out to avoid overcrowding , which can lead to mold growth . Store the corner in a cool , ironical location , such as a basement or garage , where temperatures stay around 40 - 50 ° F .
Throughout the winter months , it ’s of the essence to check on your dahlia tubers periodically to ascertain they are not drying out or showing signs of rot . If any tubers appear voiced or musty , remove them immediately to prevent the bedspread of disease to the healthy tubers .
As the springtime season approaches , you’re able to begin the process of preparing your dahlia tubers for implant once again . Around 4 - 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area , you may set forth the tuber segmentation process by carefully cutting the tuber into sections , ensure each piece has an “ eye ” or growth bud .
By following these steps and clock your Dahlia pinnata digging outgrowth correctly , you ’ll be well on your way to ensuring a successful growing time of year year after class . So , take the prison term to handle for your dahlias with patience and attention to point , and you ’ll be reward with a bountiful display of colorful flower in the seasons to come !
Caroline Bates
