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As fall rolls in, it’s time for many of us to start digging up our dahlia tubers. Why? Because if they’re left in the ground in colder climates where the soil freezes, your tubers will turn to mush. If you’re in a warmer region, you might be lucky enough to leave them in the ground all year. But for those of us in areas with freezing winters, digging and storing dahlia tubers is a must.
With so much information available on how to dig and store your dahlia tubers, it can easily feel overwhelming. The reality is, there’s no single “right” way to do it because we all deal with different climates and conditions. The key is to experiment with various techniques and find what works best for you.
And anytime things feel complicated or nuanced, I like to remember the underlying goal—here, it’s to get the tubers out of the ground and keep them alive through the winter. So let’s dive into how to make that happen.
Dahlia tubers sprouting prematurely in storage is a common issue many gardeners face. As dormant tubers sense warmer temperatures, they can mistake the conditions for spring and begin growing. If left unchecked, this early sprouting depletes the tuber’s energy reserves required for robust growth when planted. Fortunately, with attentive storage methods and prompt response, gardeners can get sprouting dahlia tubers back on track.
Why Dahlia Tubers Sprout Early In Storage
Dahlia tubers are living organisms that enter dormancy through the winter months. This dormant period allows the tubers to survive freezing temperatures and utilize their stored energy when growth resumes in spring. The tubers initiate sprouting and leaves once conditions indicate it is time to emerge from dormancy. However, tubers left in warm storage can incorrectly signal that spring has arrived early.
Dahlia tubers require cool storage temperatures around 40-50°F to remain dormant Warmth above 60°F will trick the tubers into thinking it is planting time. High humidity around the tubers also encourages untimely sprouting With signals of spring present, the tubers prematurely break dormancy and begin using their energy reserves to produce shoots and leaves.
Signs Of Early Sprouting In Stored Dahlia Tubers
Gardeners using proper harvest, curing, and storage methods should not see growth from dahlia tubers until the designated spring planting time. However, if storage conditions are too warm and humid, you may discover
- Small green shoots emerging from the tuber’s eyes
- Short stems and leaves growing directly from the main tuber
- Tiny new white roots visible on some tubers
This aboveground and root growth means your storage area was likely too hot and moist. The tubers perceived the environment as ideal for renewed spring growth. Action must be taken to halt further sprouting.
Should You Remove Sprouts From Stored Tubers?
Discovering sprouts on your dormant dahlia tubers can be worrying. Are the tubers still viable for planting? Should you pinch off the sprouts?
The good news is some premature sprouting will not harm the tubers. The sprouts can be removed but leaving them intact will not inherently damage the tuber’s ability to grow when planted in spring. Removing sprouts now does not negatively impact the tuber.
However, any substantial growth at this early stage redirects energy away from the tuber’s food reserves. That stored energy funds the future growth of a robust dahlia plant. Leaving sprouts to continued development will weaken and starve the tuber. It is best to stop early sprouting progress.
Stopping Additional Sprouting Of Stored Dahlia Tubers
If your stored dahlia tubers have already initiated early season growth, take prompt action to halt further sprouting:
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Move tubers to a cooler location – Get the tubers into a temperature controlled area maintaining 40-50°F. An unheated basement, garage, or shed are suitable options.
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Separate and inspect tubers – Break apart clumps and discard any rotting tubers. Check for signs of disease or insect pest damage.
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Dry tubers and change storage medium – Dry off any moisture on tubers before returning to storage. Replace old vermiculite, sawdust, peat moss, etc. with fresh storing material.
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Store in paper vs plastic – Paper bags allow needed air circulation while preventing light exposure. Plastic retains detrimental moisture.
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Try apple cider vinegar – The acidity of diluted apple cider vinegar prevents sprouting when added to storage mediums.
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Use cardboard boxes – Lined boxes keep tubers cooler, drier, and in complete darkness to prevent growth.
With quick adjustments to storage conditions, you can get sprouting dahlia tubers back on track. But future growth must be halted to conserve the tubers’ energy.
When To Pot Up Sprouted Dahlia Tubers
Potting dahlia tubers early and forcing them to grow indoors can provide a head start on spring planting. But tubers made to sprout too early will stretch and weaken by planting time outdoors. Wait until 6-8 weeks prior to your projected outdoor planting date before starting tubers.
Check sprouted tubers daily and transplant outdoors promptly when weather warms. Avoid shock by hardening off young plants first. Protect new growth if cold temperatures threaten. Discard potted plants after your garden dahlias are established.
Emergency Action For Severely Sprouted Tubers
What if your dahlia tubers have already advanced too far, with excessive stems and roots from storage growth? Take emergency action:
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Immediately move tubers to the coolest location possible, even temporarily in the refrigerator.
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Prune off all storage growth down to the main tuber. Discard any shriveled tubers.
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Thoroughly dry tubers before returning to improved storage conditions.
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Pot up only the healthiest sprouted tubers to cultivate as backups. Toss after garden dahlias are planted.
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Prioritize sprouted tubers first when planting the dahlia garden. Use others as needed.
With urgent modifications, even repeatedly sprouted dahlia tubers can be rescued. Supply ideal storage factors going forward to avoid recurrent premature sprouting issues. When rightly planted, even troubled tubers should flourish.
Avoiding Premature Sprouting In Future Storage
Learning from my dahlias’ too early awakening this year, I plan to implement improved storage methods for next year’s dormant tubers:
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Harvest tubers only after first fall frost, when all foliage has died back.
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Cure harvested tubers 1-2 weeks in a warm, dry space before storage.
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Select a 40-50°F storage area like an unheated basement, garage, or crawl space.
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Use vermiculite, peat moss, sawdust, or wood shavings as storing mediums.
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Inspect tubers every 2-3 weeks for sprouting, rotting, or drying out issues.
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Repack any sprouting tubers in fresh medium and move to a cooler location immediately.
With proper harvesting, curing, temperature, humidity control, storage containers, and medium choices, tubers can remain dormant until spring. Frequent tuber inspection and rapid response to sprouting will prevent premature growth issues. Implementing sound storage methods avoids next year’s tubers awakening early.
Troubleshooting Sprouted Tubers
If your dahlia tubers initiate untimely growth, utilize these troubleshooting tips:
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Consult gardening experts online for advice about your particular situation. Check sites like GardenHelper for experienced dahlia grower insights.
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Reference articles on dahlia storage problems for science-based guidance. Resources like GardenMaking provide storage best practices.
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Inspect tubers regularly during storage to catch early sprouting right away. Frequent checks allow prompt action before growth advances.
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Evaluate storage conditions. Is temperature and humidity controlled sufficiently? Are tubers exposed to light or warmth anywhere?
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Reassess storage methods. Peat moss and vermiculite retain moisture. Try cardboard boxes or paper bags for increased airflow.
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Explore commercial storage products made for bulb and tuber dormancy. Some contain sprout inhibitors.
With attentive storage procedures and rapid response to any sprouting, dahlia tubers can remain dormant until outdoor planting time. Don’t let surprise sprouts ruin your dahlia gardening plans. Implement sound storage practices and get hands-on at the first sign of early spring growth. With this approach, you can get your tubers back on track and save your dahlia garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my stored dahlia tubers sprouting weeks before planting?
Dahlia tubers require cool 40-50°F temperatures to stay dormant. Warmer conditions trick them into thinking spring has begun early. High humidity also encourages untimely sprouting.
Should I remove sprouts on tubers in storage?
You can remove sprouts but it’s not necessary. Halt further sprouting right away by moving tubers to a cooler location. Ongoing growth will drain food reserves.
Can I pot up dahlia tubers sprouted early?
You can force sprouted tubers, but wait until 2-3 months before planting outside. Tubers started too early stretch and weaken. Use grow lights and warmth for rapid growth.
Can tubers sprouted repeatedly still grow well when planted?
Yes, tubers that sprouted multiple times can still thrive planted at the right time. Prune excess growth and select the healthiest tubers. Prioritize planting any sprouted tubers first.
How can I prevent early sprouting of my tubers next year?
Proper harvesting, curing, temperature, humidity control, storage containers, and medium selection help tubers stay dormant. Monitor regularly and act quickly if sprouting occurs.
What is the ideal way to store dahlia tubers?
After harvest, cure tubers 1-2 weeks in a warm spot. Store at 40-50°F like an unheated basement or garage. Use vermiculite, peat moss, sawdust for storage mediums to prevent premature sprouting.
Conclusion
Dahlia tubers sprouting early while in storage is a common issue for gardeners. Warm conditions and excessive humidity trick the tubers into breaking dormancy too soon. This premature sprouting drains energy reserves required for vigorous growth when planted in spring. With attentive harvesting, storage methods, and quick response to any growth, gardeners can halt early sprouting and keep tubers dormant. Implementing sound storage practices and troubleshooting techniques will get sprouted dahlia tubers back on track. Don’t let surprise sprouts ruin your plans. Take action at the first sign of untimely spring growth to redirect your tubers and save your dahlia garden.
To Wash or Not to Wash Your Tubers?
When it comes to washing your dahlia tubers, its entirely up to you. Ive tried both ways, and here are a few things I’ve learned from my experience:
Washing Pros
- If you don’t wash your tubers, you’ll bring a lot of soil (and all the little critters that live in it) into your storage area. This can get messy and isnt ideal if you’re storing them indoors.
- Receiving tubers covered in another farm’s soil left me with an ick feeling. Ever since that experience, I’ve made it a habit to wash my tubers since I sell them.
- Splitting your tubers is much easier when they’re washed because you can see the “eyes” more clearly.
Washing Cons
- In storage, tubers with dirt left on have actually performed better for me in the past. The soil acts almost like an insulator, providing some protection.
At the end of the day, do what works best for you and your storage situation. If you decide to wash your tubers, I recommend this hose sprayer that allows you to control the water pressure making the job easier.
Drying Your Dahlia Tubers
If you’ve washed your tubers, the next step is to let them dry before putting them into storage. But here’s a word of caution—don’t let them dry out too much. I’ve had tubers shrivel in a very short period of time because I wasn’t paying close enough attention.
There’s no set drying time because it will depend on your weather conditions, but I like to keep mine in a shaded spot for 12-24 hours. Just be sure to keep an eye on them to make sure they dry enough without completely drying out!
