In my dark, unfinished basement is a large pot with my dahlia tubers. It is scaring me. Long pale shoots are now winding themselves out of the pot and I know I should DO something but I don’t know what. I can’t plant them as it is much too early. I don’t have a sunny spot in the house to start them in a new pot and transfer in May when the fear of frost is gone.
What to do? What to do? I’ll google it. In the meantime, I worked on images I’d taken of this scary tuber’s flowers from last summer. These sorta scare me, too.
Here is the answer from my friend Leonard Osborne
Leonard Osborne Tami/Pat: Sorry for the lag on this, my wife just told me of the posting. Anyway I can’t call myself a Dahlia expert, but I often have shoots on my over-wintered tubers. How long is long? I usually get from 1/2″ to 6″+ and I store them in a paper bag with saw-dust (storing in peat moss is what you will often hear recommended). Bottom line in my opinion; they are beginning to use their food stored in the tuber, no harm should result until you get them in the ground. Make sure they are in a cool dark place (slow their growth a bit), I’ve been amazed at their ability to endure.
31 minutes ago · Like
Leonard Osborne Oops! -hit the return key- Pat those are amazing photos!
29 minutes ago · Like
Thank you so much, Leonard! I am going to move them to my garage which might be cooler than my basement at this time of year. I have one shoot that, no word of a lie, is about 3 feet long. I know that’s bad! I stored them in peat moss and as you said, it is often recommended but I just read today that more experienced gardeners do not use it. Oy! Live and learn. I appreciate you taking the time to help me.