Thought they'd never wake up - the dahlias. Now they have and there's nowhere to put them; the spring bulbs haven't yet finished. Problems. Problems.
These tubers in tray now have shoots which need stronger light. They need putting outside. No problem. Just move outside. Can be left out. But beware of slugs and frost.
The tubers we awakened with water have also produced new shoot buds, though not as large as in the trays. They have also just started to grow new roots (below).
It's always best - with all plants - not to disturb the roots too much. So these tubers need putting in the soil before their roots get tangled. But can't do this yet. So. Compromise. Stand clumps on soil surface next to spring bulbs. This way, they keep growing, producing strong short growth. Again, watch out for slugs and frost. Roots will grow down into soil a bit, but not into other plants - and they shouldn't be there long.
BEST TIME FOR DIVISION
If you want to increase your stock, now is a really good time to divide them. Get a sharp knife or spade and cut between the buds and down through the tubers, so that each half has bud(s), a stem(s) and at least a bit of tuber attached. Take care not to damage the buds. Each bud will produce a new stem. So you can determine the size of each new plant. The further you split them (i.e. down to a single bud with stem and piece of tuber), the stronger they will grow. You won't get as many flowers - although these will be larger.
TUBERS IN TRAYS AND POTS
These tubers in tray now have shoots which need stronger light. They need putting outside. No problem. Just move outside. Can be left out. But beware of slugs and frost.AWAKENED DAHLIA TUBERS
The tubers we awakened with water have also produced new shoot buds, though not as large as in the trays. They have also just started to grow new roots (below).
It's always best - with all plants - not to disturb the roots too much. So these tubers need putting in the soil before their roots get tangled. But can't do this yet. So. Compromise. Stand clumps on soil surface next to spring bulbs. This way, they keep growing, producing strong short growth. Again, watch out for slugs and frost. Roots will grow down into soil a bit, but not into other plants - and they shouldn't be there long.BEST TIME FOR DIVISION
If you want to increase your stock, now is a really good time to divide them. Get a sharp knife or spade and cut between the buds and down through the tubers, so that each half has bud(s), a stem(s) and at least a bit of tuber attached. Take care not to damage the buds. Each bud will produce a new stem. So you can determine the size of each new plant. The further you split them (i.e. down to a single bud with stem and piece of tuber), the stronger they will grow. You won't get as many flowers - although these will be larger.
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