Dahlias SPEED UP YOUR TUBERS

[@thebraziliangardener8481]

this channel should have a lot more views

[@helenlatimer9230]

Thank you so much. This was very useful to me as I’ve started my Dahlia’s outside in plastic green houses. I can see from your video that mine are at good stages of development, even thou they are not on hear mats. I’m really looking forward to seeing them grow and bloom. Thank you so much for all your very informative videos. I really appreciate them.

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Thanks so much for your kind comment Helen, and I hope you have a great season.

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

Quite useful. I’m about to start potting up my tubers. I tried to grow some last year but drought and high temperatures did them in.

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Hello Kathryn, thanks for your comment and good luck this year with your Dahlias.

[@timmienorrie]

It would be interesting to see how much root development has occured at this stage but that would set the plant back. I might try this next season. I love experiments.

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Hi Tammie thanks for your comment. You can take a peep at your roots by turning the pot upside down. So long as the soil holds together, it doesn't disturb the roots. I often do this to check them in normal times, for example to ensure watering is efficient.

[@nsgchan]

How long do you keep the tubers on the heat mats? I have woken mine on heat mats at 20c. Some have shoots about 1" tall in the 1'x2' seeding trays. would you recommend I move them off the heat mat after I pot them up into pots? Or maintain the heat even after potting up, until I harden off to transplant into ground? Your videos are a treasure trove of information!

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Hi thanks for your question. It is useful to keep them warm after first potting up, this will help the roots to establish, a slightly lower temperature (15-16C) would be perfect, for about 2 weeks. Space becomes the issue if you are growing more than a small number, and leaving them without heat is satisfactory if needs must. Good luck!

[@yesidtac7863]

Gran video

[@jordanlangford6267]

Brilliant. Iv started mine the same way as u and iv had brilliant results. However a slug as eaten one of my big plants will it come back ?

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Hi Jordan, Thanks for your question. Slugs are Dahlia enemy number 1 for sure. Yes it will come back a number of times as the tuber has a lot of reserve. I wish you luck in the new season.

[@Planty.Q]

Thank you for this video! I have a question, what occurs to me seeing this video that some of them are planted just with the old stem above the soil and in some cases I see parts of the tubers. Is there a reason for this? Or any rule of thumb? I'm quite new to growing Dahlia's. I've always purchased plants but last year I started overwinter them and I bought a lot of new tubers. I live in the Netherlands and just planted them in pots in my house. I'll take them out end of May and put them in containers. I just want to do well. I already discovered one of them rotting (I put it in a pot 3 weeks ago. I guess the soil was too moist). Some varieties have big clumps of tubers other are single. My questions: 1) what about the part above surface? 2) do I have to wait watering till I see sprouts? 3) do i have to divide big clumps of tubers? (Anyone to answer is very welcome 🙏🏼) Thanks in advance!!!

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Hi thanks for your questions. You are absolutely right they are planted higher than usually recommended. I like to get them started in smaller pots for economy of compost and storage space. (I also like to observe them sprouting), Once they fill the pot i will plant them on into larger pots and at that stage cover them with more compost so they sit deeper before finally planting out at the usual depth. To answer the last two questions: 2) Yes it is usual to water only once before spouts appear. 3) There is no rule for division of the tuber clump. Many plant the whole clump (or indeed leave them in the ground to overwinter). Others divide into single tubers - to get the maximum number of plants. Others divide into twos/ threes etc. I can't recommend one method or another, but I do feel that planting the whole clump is rather wasteful of potential because a single area of soil can support a plant of only 3-5 shoots and stay productive. Hope your season goes well.

[@Planty.Q]

@@MoorfieldFarmFlowers Thank you very much for you quick and elaborate reply!! I'm hear to learn and just followed your example. I put 12 new and some own in nursery pots today. I divided a few, just to see what happens and planted them with their crowns a bit above the surface. I planted 2 last week. Too deep. As was advised to plant them 10-15cm deep. They already started rotting. I used your hydroperoxide advice from the other video. I watered them as I thought they needed it to sprout. However 3 others sprouted. And now I know and learned from you, I notice I planted them with their crown above the surface. I just made the soil a little bit damp (I use perlite, clay pebbles and worm castings in the soil) and place them indoors. In my living room and study. In front of a window. And will put them in larger containers on my little terrace in the middle of my tropical garden. My urban oasis. Long story short: I really really appreciate your videos and your advice!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 It's great to learn and experiment as well and hopefully I develop my own technique eventually. It's just such an amazing hobby. 😄

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Thanks again Planty, I am glad you got some to germinate. Tubers are most at risk of rotting when they are cold and damp. If you can switch on their metabolism by keeping them warm they are more likely to survive the critical initial period. Good luck!

[@shanky2926]

very informative vedio. Will these tubers be used for taking cuttings or directly they will be planted out ?

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Hi Shanky, thanks for your question. These were all brought on in pots and then planted out when ready. cuttings are routinely taken early on (Jan/ Feb) as they need time to root and then grow on. Hope that answers your question.

[@shanky2926]

@@MoorfieldFarmFlowers thanks for your reply. Can I get the same type of plants if I grow them using seeds? To specify- I am getting some dahlia pinnata and dahlia figaro seeds here

[@MoorfieldFarmFlowers]

Hi, yes you can grow dahlias from seed. It is an adventure because the flowers will be different from the parent, and may be very good, or not so good. With those particular dahlias (species type) the flowers will be quite simple, and colours will vary. They are likely to be vigorous and flower profusely. Good luck with them!