What is the best way to store tender bulbs such as dahlia over the winter?

Answer

First, dispose of any plants that were weakened by disease or insects during the season as well as any that seemed to perform poorly. Keep in mind that some cultivars simply don't do as well as others in storage, so some loss of bulbs during the winter is likely. But you are also likely to have a significant amount of success if you are careful in your technique!

After the first hard frost, cut back the blackened stems and gently lift the clump of roots with a spading fork. To prepare them for winter storage, label each clump with the variety name and stand the clumps upside down to drain away any moisture. After about a week of drying, place them in a deep box and cover the clumps with vermiculite or wrap them in newspaper before storing. They are best stored in a place where the temperature is between 40 to 50 degrees. Temperatures outside of these guidelines can lead to freezing or drying out of clumps over the winter. Be sure to examine the tubers for any rotting during the winter and remove decaying portions immediately.

You can also divide dahlia tubers from their clumps in the fall before storage if you like. To do that, rinse off the soil once you have dug up your dahlia tubers and allow them to dry in a protected space overnight. Identify tubers in each clump that have an eye and divide the tuber, narrow neck and eye from the clump using disinfected, narrow-tipped pruners. Mark your tuber for type with permanent ink or loose tape and let them callus for one or two days to avoid rot. When the cuts are dry and healed, it is time to store them in layers of vermiculite or newspaper in containers. Mark the box with the cultivar name before storage, as above, in a dark space with steady temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees.

>Courtesy of the NYBG Plant Information Service

  • Last Updated Nov 03, 2023
  • Views 158
  • Answered By Plant Information

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