confused about overwintering Dahlias in pots.

[Wren]

I purchased a gorgeous Dahlia this year from the garden centre and it has been outside in a large glazed pot all summer and has just flowered and flowered. My plan was to cut back the stems about now (first frost last night and then over winter it in the shed whilst still in the pot. I was just going to give it a bit of bubble wrap around the whole pot and drag it back out next spring. I have just been googling tonight and have come across lots of differing information an now i can't make up my mind what to do with it. To lift, or not to lift the tubers from the pot over winter in the shed. That is the question?

many thanks ,

Wren

[Scarlet]

Dahlias are my favourites and I have several in the garden. I leave most in the ground but my best ones I dig up and replant early next spring as I often loose a couple over winter. In a pot I think they would be more vunerable, if you want to be a 100% sure I would dig it up.

[Wren]

Do you think they would be more vulnerable if the pot were in the shed over winter?

[rustylady]

They should be OK in the pot in the shed as long as it doesn't get frozen and you keep it fairly dry.

[Two_Sheds]

Wet soil is worse than frozen ground for them. I leave mine outside all year round, always have, but then I have sandy, free-draining soil

[rana]

As TS says it is important to keep them dry. Your Dahlia should then be OK in a bubble wrapped pot in a shed for the winter.

[jackie j]

Last year I went to a talk on Dahlia's frrom a very experienced Dahlia grower,
he said if you live in the south you can leave them in the ground, wait till the stems are black before cutting back to a couple of inches from the ground, then add a very thick layer of mulch.
Another tip was to dig around the tuber and put a pot over the top, so the pot is buried quite a bit, put mulch under pot, that way you know where they are.

Another tip for the cut flowers was to take petals from the underside as they wilt, they look like new flowers.

[Wren]

Many thanks for all you're replies

I left one in the ground last year , mulched it an lost it to the very hard winter we had , even this far south. I think i will cut it down an then bring it into the shed to dry out in the pot whilst the night temperatures are not to sever, bubble wrap it when its dry and drag it out next spring then.
I will look at lifting it next winter so i can divide the tubers an fingers crossed transfer some to other pots or into the ground to make more plants . It really is a beauty

Dahlia Waltzing Matilda link for you Google Image Result for http://shop1.actinicexpress.co.uk/shops/rosecottageplants/images/catalog/Waltzing-Matilda-big.jpg