Bringing on border dahlias

[robmarston]

Hi all, the other day I read that now is the time to start bringing on Dahlias in an unheated greenhouse. I've been growing dahlias for a couple of years and usually just bung them in the ground around April/May. Each year when I dig up the tubers, they are massive, even though I have split them before planting. Once again this year I have massive tubers. Is it right that I should start bringing them on now? If so, would small pots and compost be ok? How many times would it be ok to divide the tubers? It seems to me a long time before they can be put in the ground, and they usually grow quite fast. I must say, I'm impressed with them as I only bought one flower in a pot originally and now I have four or five of each type! Any ideas much appreciated.

[Martin H]

If you want to get loads of cuttings off them you could start them off now. If you are happy to just triple up your plants you can wait until March to start them off indoors, then divide and pot them up when they show and plant them out in May after the last frost. That's what I do.

[Two_Sheds]

Start them for cuttings now only if you have enough space, light and warmth until they can go in the ground.

I tend to buy a £1 pack around now, and leave it in the unheated gh in a bit of compost, until it sprouts greenery on its own: I don't use indoor heat