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Post by binnylou on Jan 9, 2020 14:53:44 GMT -5
Today was a good day to check the status of the dahlia tubers. Outside temps are about 50*, so I opened the garage door and changed the air in there. Opened the paper bags, one by one. Most of the tubers were in very good condition, a few smaller ones were shriveled some. Every bag got a spritz of water. If the bag had shriveled tubers, the bag got two spritzes. These paper bags were stored in a plastic garbage can...when I put them back in to the can, I rotated their place within the can.
The only variety that had any problem was Polventon Supreme and it was at the bottom of the storage can. Three of the stalks had a bit of mold, so I did surgery and I’ll hope for the best. Polventon is a beautiful light yellow. There’s lots of tubers in that bag, and I’d hate to lose them. I did put a box in the bottom of the can so the tubers on the bottom won’t absorb so much cold from the garage floor. I should have done that in the fall when I did the storage thing.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jan 12, 2020 8:41:14 GMT -5
heirloomfan, binnylou, I checked those tubers...it seems they prob had too much moisture and parts of the bag froze but not entirely. There was a little bit of mold from the moisture. I am wondering how to handle them. I guess I should unfreeze the frozen parts and remove the mold. Think I should chuck the whole bag?(bags)
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Post by binnylou on Jan 12, 2020 9:27:52 GMT -5
lilolpeapicker , on the tubers, can you feel where the frozen part starts and ends? If so, I would remove the frozen part. And remove the spots of mold. What is the coldest, not freezing temperature you can offer at your home? Do you have a room that isn’t heated during the winter? Having them stored off premise doesn’t make it very handy for you to check on them. I’m thinking if it were me, I’d bring them home, lay them on trays of soil, and see what they do. I assume they weren’t divided in the fall? If they show new growth, start removing the sprouting tubers from the clump. Continue to watch for mold. If mold continues, I’d mist those areas with a 10% bleach solution. I’ve considered giving my tubers a bleach dip before putting them in to storage. Someday, I’ll learn how to successfully divide before storage. Some growers purchase new tubers every year, enjoy their beauty, and discard them when they’ve been killed down by frost. I’m too frugal to do that. And I love a challenge, especially if my efforts help to bring the plant to life. Good luck with your tubers, pea.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jan 12, 2020 11:04:58 GMT -5
Some growers purchase new tubers every year, enjoy their beauty, and discard them when they’ve been killed down by frost. I have been thinking this here as well but the pocketbook then screams at me. I can do that bleach thingy.... thx
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Post by binnylou on Feb 20, 2020 10:06:48 GMT -5
I checked my dahlia tubers yesterday. They have been in the unheated bedroom since winter temps have chilled the garage too much. Most are in good condition and have sprouted. Even a few of the shriveled ones are showing sprouts. But, some of them have green mold on them, so today those with mold will get a bleach dunk. More lessons to be learned. lilolpeapicker, we’re you able to salvage any of your tubers?
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Feb 20, 2020 15:49:37 GMT -5
nothing survived
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Post by tendingmygarden on Feb 20, 2020 18:53:36 GMT -5
I try to check this Dahlia thread at least once a year. So enjoyed the pictures that heirloomfan and binnylou posted last year. Dahlias were one of Bill's (my husband) favorite flowers.
I've always had a lot of stuff to "keep" so I don't take the conventional approach to many things. Dahlias being one of those things.
In the past I'd throw a thick pitchfork of straw over any dahlia tubers and let them fend for themselves in the winter.
When Bill needed 24/7 care I couldn't do it. In spite of that, most of the Dahlias I have made it fine. I have one in the side of a front border (worse spot in the yard) and it comes back faithfully every year with absolutely no mulch. I have some in a back border that I raised from seed that come back without fail each year.
Several years back we had an extremely cold winter for our area. Temperatures even hit zero and stayed in the teens for almost a month. In spite of that, my dahlias did fine.
Theresa
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Post by binnylou on Mar 15, 2020 22:11:56 GMT -5
One of the dahlia seller that I purchase from opened his online store today. I bought more than I should have and still didn't get the two varieties I really wanted.
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Post by binnylou on Apr 14, 2020 13:01:35 GMT -5
My Summer Dreams dahlia order arrived yesterday and I’m still waiting for an order from Swan Island. Most of the tubers that wintered over in the garage and then a spare unseated bedroom have sprouted. They are in trays of soil, just waiting for warmer temps.
Since some of the tubers from last years digging have multiple sprouts, I’ve been toying with the idea of taking cuttings from those sprouts. I don’t need any more tubers, but propagation interests me. There’s lots of info on the internet, and I belong to a FB dahlia group if I need a question answered.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Apr 19, 2020 10:22:07 GMT -5
binnylou , lilolpeapicker , lisaann , tendingmygarden, I haven't grown dahlias in quite a while, but plan to grow some this summer. I checked the last few pages of this thread and found that Unwins, Swan Island, and Summer Dreams have been suppliers. I was wondering if anyone has ever bought dahlias from American Meadows? Their prices seem to be reasonable, and they still have a decent supply available. Anyone have any experience, good or bad, with American Meadows? Thanks for any suggestions.
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Post by binnylou on Apr 19, 2020 11:47:09 GMT -5
SpringRain🕊️, reading reviews on American Meadows, I see too many negative reviews. I would not spend my money with them. I trust Swan Island and Summer Dreams. Purchase from a business that grows the tubers. The growers have the knowledge. Avoid purchasing from a big box store. I’ve read on a dahlia group that tubers purchased at big box stores might be misidentified or diseased.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Apr 19, 2020 15:44:45 GMT -5
binnylou , thanks. I prefer to buy from a source that has a good reputation, and I do recall that you've mentioned Swan Island with posts of beautiful dahlias. I've never really been comfortable buying plants from brick and mortar stores other than greenhouses with which I'm familiar, and there no longer are many in this area. Now, to put that credit card to a good use.... Thanks for enabling me!!
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Post by binnylou on May 18, 2020 16:31:00 GMT -5
lilolpeapicker, are you trying dahlia this year, or did you give up? I've been pre sprouting last year's tubers and also my newly purchased ones. Some are giving multiple shoots, and I'm going to learn how to propagate multiple plants from tubers...come hell or high water. I finally spent the bucks for a splitting tool and it really makes a difference. I tried doing it with a dahlia knife and was too intimidated. Lost the knife anyway. The tool looks like long needle nosed pliers only it has cutting edges. $11 on amazon. I'm sorry I waited so long to make the purchase. Hope this inspires you to try again.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on May 18, 2020 18:18:14 GMT -5
binnylou, I have tubers to plant which I waited for it to get warm. Finally warmth is here and will plant tomorrow or Wednesday. It was damp and cold here I was too afraid of putting them in the ground. Plus been working on starting a few new raised beds. Very physical for me getting them filled. I am a wimp when it's cold. Now it is warmer and been wearing shorts for 2 days. Go figure.
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Post by binnylou on May 18, 2020 18:57:53 GMT -5
Don't put away the sweatpants, lilolpeapicker. I didn't stay our side much today. Gray and cold.
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