Store tubers at 50 to 70 degrees in their unsealed plastic bags with the slightly moist peat, out of sunlight. Do not add water unless very dry, then you may spritz with a few drops of water to prevent shriveling. We like to hang ours from a clothes drying rack to pre-sprout before they go out. We then bury sprout and all 5-6" deep into prepared soil. Wait until soil has warmed to 60F.
To prepare soil, we add 4" of compost and a little organic fertilizer and bonemeal and mix it into existing soil. I like to put my dahlia stake in the hole first and then but the crown of the tuber next to the stake. Lay the tuber, eye up. If the shoot has already formed and twisted, I will plant them which ever direction the shoot is headed. Be sure to label your dahlias upon planting.
Do not water your dahlias until the sprout is out of the ground. We are in the Pacific NW where it rains alot. A few good rain storms have not caused problems for us after planting, but soils will dry out a bit between rains. Do not plant dahlias where there is not good drainage.
Once dahlias are 12" high, pinch out the center to encourage a bushy plant and more blooms. This is a good time to consider how you will support them. Our dahlias often reach over 5' and will fall over if not well supported.
We ship all tubers after careful inspection for viability and a visible eye. Some may even have a sprout. If the sprout breaks off in shipping, do not fear, the tuber wants to grow and will send out a new shoot (usually 2) where the first shoot breaks. However, if you receive a tuber that you feel is damaged upon arrival, please contact us within 5 days of delivery to request a replacement or refund.
