Dahlias

[cairnoscar]

I have grown dahlias this year from seed in addition to planting tubers. Can I lift and store them as I would tubers or do I have to sow new seed next year

[NoWayPedro]

You can lift and store them but there are issues. IMO you are better off just chopping the stems down to ground level and then covering with a mulch, e.g. chipped bark.

[vicky]

I've tried storing home sown dahlias alongside shop bought tubers and the home-grown didn't survive the winter whereas shop ones did. But don't be put off - if you have the space try it!
(If I leave mine in the ground less than 50% come through the winter - plus I forget where they are and the slugs get the shoots as they emerge!)

[cairnoscar]

Thanks

Sam

[Two_Sheds]

I no longer bother lifting my dahlias for the winter. We only get a little frost, in February, so I leave them in the ground

[nick the grief]

If you do want to lift and store them give them a hi potash feed around now and that will help ripen the tubers and build them up - they'll store better. The advantage of lifting the tubers is they can be started into growth earlier and you can either take more cuttings of them or split the tubers once you see where the eyes are and there by giving you more stock. If you only want them for garden decoration then you pays yer money etc. If you want to grow them for showing then it's essential to lift them and store.

One of the biggest problems people face is they store them too cold ( they must be kept frost free) and too damp - thats when things start to rot. When you lift them, wash off as much of the soil of as possible and better stil soak for about 5 minutes in a solution of 5% bleach - it will kill all sorts of bugs and pests ( especially slug eggs) then leave them on the greenhouse bench to dry off for a couple of days - upside down.

It used to be advised that you wait for the 1st frost to blacken and kill the foliage off before lifting but as TS says we don't really get them these days.

[Alice]

It's really up to yourself Cairnoscar.
If it's a special Dahlia you really want to save then follow Nick's excellent advice.
If it's just bedding Dahlias then I find it as easy to grow from seed than to lift and stoere. I leave mine in the ground and about 50% reappear. I sow some seeds to make up the numbers.

[cairnoscar]

Thanks to all for your help.

Sam