Overwintering Dahlias 4 Methods

[@annshurtzpianostudio9937]

Thanks!

[@YorkshireKRIS]

Thank you!

[@stuartwooldridge1551]

I find they are tough enough to cut back then leave with no mulch protection. I have a couple of bishop of llandaff that were planted 10 years ago and they come back every year. A few slug pellets in late april to get them through safely. What I do mulch is my cannas, they are not as winter hardy for me. They've just been cut down and will be mulched with old tomato compost tomorrow. I do dig them up mid feb to break their dormancy by potting up and putting them in the house until they sprout, then into an unheated greenhouse. They will sprout outside if left alone but not until late june. I am always disappointed with the cannas I don't start early, they're small and don't flower until sept. Not digging up the cannas until feb works best for me as the rhizomes are so fresh and sprout quickly when brought into the warmth of the house. I am overwintering 2 colocasia as growing plants that I potted up yesterday and put in my south facing porch, 8 other colocasias are cleaned up corms that are drying in my garage. They are tough to get moving next spring, I find but a heated propagator gets them out of dormancy eventually. I love your channel kris and you've inspired me to try so many tropicals.

[@dougieduck95]

Great video . I would like to see you cook and eat dahlia as I’ve often wondered what they would be like. Would a different variety taste different like potatoes? Also have you done a video on growing cannas from seed. I do it regularly with great germination but growing on is less successful?

[@YorkshireKRIS]

Thanks, yes I've done canna germination video using the boiling water method. I've also featured the seedlings in my spring greenhouse tours in the past. Different dahlias should taste different yes! As they've been bred for flowers and not taste it would be interesting to taste them

[@paulineellison9047]

i leave mine in every year but this yr im digging them up as iv got a lot of weed that grows back year on yr so need to get rid of it then plant back next yr

[@setthegooseloose]

Thanks Kris for the informative video👍 Is it a viable idea to store the cleaned tubers in sawdust and left in say a loft space overwinter? Also, any dahlias grown in pots, is it necessary to replace the damp compost before storing in the greenhouse? Cheers!

[@YorkshireKRIS]

If in a pot I wouldn't disturb them now, wait until spring to refresh with new compost and feed.

[@Stephen_Martin]

Can I keep both a dahlia and Canna in the same pot in a shed overwinter?

[@YorkshireKRIS]

Providing the shed doesn't get too cold then they should be fine, yes. Cannas don't like to freeze through

[@philippehoyez9398]

The dalhias are never dug up with a spade but with a gardening fork so as not to injure or cut the tubers!

[@YorkshireKRIS]

I think either if fine. I've damaged tubers with a fork as often as with a spade