Can Dahlia's be left in the winter ground?

[Chef_uk]

Read that its best to lift them out before the frost kicks in but is there any harm in leaving them in? Flowering really nice right now so they have got my attention at the mo

[jojo2910]

Yes, but you run the risk of them being killed by hard frosts. I am going to mulch mine on top to help protect them. App if you plant them 20 cm down in the soil then this is enough to protect them.

[alex-adam]

My neighbour left hers in the ground every year for more than a decade - but, alas they are no more !! - last years severe winter saw them off to Dahlia Heaven

[Aberdeenplotter]

Certainly not possible to leave them in the ground up here and expect them to survive the winter. Wait till the first frosts blacken the foliage then lift and take inside to dry off. Once dry clean up the tubers then keep them in a box of dry peat in a cool frost free place till spring when you can either plant out the tuber or take cuttings and propogate new plants.

[Aisles]

I would advise lifting to be sure of saving them for next year. However if they are in a well drained sandy soil, planted a bit deeper than normal, in a area where they'll be more protected from frost and the frozen soil they might just live to see another year.

It's the combination of freezing temperture's/frost and geting waterlogged that kills the Tuber.

[Arthur Pounder]

I've always had a bit of an obsession with Dahlias but never really grown them successfully or put the effort in. I want to start making it a hobby soon and would love to know of any Dahlia resource/idiot's guide that's available.

I'd love to propagate from cuttings, as I have a few varieties already and I'd also love to add to.

How do you do yours?

[Two_Sheds]

I've always left mine in the ground, however last year most of them died (it was snowy & icy for weeks on end)

[Two_Sheds]

I'd love to propagate from cuttings

It's really easy ~ I'll be taking a few stem cuttings today for overwintering on a sunny windowsill, then in late winter I'll pot up a few of the dug up tubers to force for more cuttings

[Gearoid]

I dug up all mine last year (apart from one I forgot) and they all died in storage apart from the one that was left outside by mistake. Since that one managed to get through last winter, I'm going to keep all mine in the ground with a thick mulch in future.

[jojo2910]

I've always had a bit of an obsession with Dahlias but never really grown them successfully or put the effort in. I want to start making it a hobby soon and would love to know of any Dahlia resource/idiot's guide that's available.

I'd love to propagate from cuttings, as I have a few varieties already and I'd also love to add to.

How do you do yours?

Try the National Dahlia Society. I joined last year and they sent me loads of useful guides in the post. This was my first year and I was surprised but had about 90% success. I also had big success growing bishop children seeds this year. If I can do it, anyone can.

[Two_Sheds]

they all died in storage

did you keep them too dry? they shouldn't dry out, keep them in just-damp compost

[Gearoid]

They were too wet. I put them into compost that remained too moist. If I ever lift again, I'll keep them a lot drier and not in the shed.

[Chef_uk]

cheers for the advice. I think I only went to 15cm so will probably be too close to call in a normal winter let alone one like last year. i'll lift them out as stated and will hope they survive.