Dahlias - Divide now or Next Year

[lizzyf]

Most of the Dahlias have done really well this year.

Last year when I took them up for over wintering, some of the tubers were huge so in Spring before re-planting I divided the really big tubers but had difficulty

1 Because I couldn't see eyes so guessed and
2 I found it very hard to cut through the Tubers- I guess because they were fairly dry.

So now my query is will I have more success dividing now or is this a bad thing to do

Any advice will be much appreciated

Lizzy

[PyreneesPlot]

I'd like to know too!

[Two_Sheds]

If you've lifted them out of the ground, then keep them frost-free and dryish until spring. If you cut them now, they're likely to just rot (they aren't going to do any growing until April).

Only lift them out of the ground if you're on soggy wet clay: they don't like sitting all winter in a puddle. My soil is sandy & light, so I leave them in situ all winter, then lift some in March to start forcing cuttings material

[Two_Sheds]

Oh look, I have a badge

[PyreneesPlot]

Mine's in a pot where it has been for the last three years with just a change to the top of the compost (once). I'll re-pot and divide in the spring.



(Nice badge, btw )

[Martin H]

I divide mine in the spring when they start growing and I can see where the shoots are.

If I've lifted them in the autumn to over-winter then it's easy to see when they are getting going. I often find that the bigger clumps just pull apart with a bit of careful untangling of the dangly bits. Otherwise I cut carefully down the old stem with a sharp knife, making sure each piece has one nice plump shoot on and at least one intact dangly bit.

If I've left them in the ground over winter I lift and divide in about early April, same procedure. I try and catch them before the shoots show above ground but later is okay too if you miss the moment.

I get between three and about eight plants from each old plant depending on vigour, with a much better success rate than I get from taking cuttings. They grow away quicker than cuttings, too.

[Two_Sheds]

If I've lifted them in the autumn to over-winter then it's easy to see when they are getting going

Yes, it's good if you've got the room and the conditions.

Last year I temporarily left them in a bendy bucket all winter. Forget them, they got bigger, and I had to cut them up to get them out the bucket

[lizzyf]

Thanks fokes.
I will dampen them off and next week, and when they start sprouting I may do better at dividing.

Lizzy

[Kristen]

I will dampen them off and next week, and when they start sprouting I may do better at dividing.

You might do better taking cuttings - from the sprouting shoots on the tubers. The tubers will then make new shoots, but from the cuttings you are likely to get more resultant plants than you would if you divided them. The new cuttings will take a little while to make decent sized plants - but by the end of the season they should have created decent sized tubers - big enough to keep safely until next year.

[lizzyf]

Well I had a look at them yesterday and shock horror.

In on of the boxes they are covered in an an ants nests. Can't see anything but soil and ants going mad carrying lava grubs . Have powdered them well will ant powder and put the lid back on. Don't know what I will find when I delve deeper.!!!

Lizzy

[robmarston]

I've divided mine every year since I bought them and last summer I had what my partner calls 'triffids'! I've never had a problem so far...... I only have 3 species though - bishop of Llandaff, shadow play and moonfire. Pic of last summer below:
They always seem to do well but they are the only dahlias I've ever had......


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