is this a dahlia sprout or a weed?

9 years ago

I planted dahlia tubes in march and these just popped up a 2 months ago. They are growing in a spreading method and not upright.

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Comments (11)

dbarron
9 years ago
Looks like purslane
missingtheobvious
9 years ago
While the overall plant habit is quite similar to purslane, the leaves in the photo: 1) are too small relative to the stems; 2) seem folded like clover leaflets (purslane's leaves are flat); 3) are too wide in relation to their length to be purslane; and 4) do not appear to be succulent leaves (as purslane is).

In any case, it is not a dahlia.

This post was edited by missingtheobvious on Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 0:01
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Dahlia tuber sprouting
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Comments (1)
Sometimes tubers start to sprout when they detect moisture, and they decide it must be spring. Definitely make sure to dry it out if it seems at all damp before storing again. I've heard arguments both ways for snapping the new sprouts off and for leaving them on... Honestly, I've done both, and if the tuber was healthy and sprouted because of too much moisture and warmth, they do just fine either way. Sometimes they sprout during dormancy and perfect storage conditions because there is rot inside the tuber, and sprouting is the last-ditch effort to save itself. I've been able to rescue many varieties for my garden by taking cuttings from rotting tubers and growing them on into plants. But it's a bit too early for that... The resulting plant would have a hard time of it surviving for months at end before you could plant it out. I would check the firmness of every centimeter of the sprouting tuber, and if it gives under your finger at the end, slice the end off with a knife. If its white and beautiful, let it dry for 4-7 days and re-store. If it is brown, gooey or has a ring inside, slice until you have only the crisp white tuber left. Sometimes, you end up with only the neck and sprouts, sometimes you are fortunate and have caught internal rot early enough to save the tuber.
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Dahlias did not sprout
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Comments (1)
Did they actually sprout then disappear? Did you actually see slugs? How much more dirt and mulch did you pile on top? If there's no sprouting, you probably have nothing to lose by digging up the tubers. They may well be mushy and rotten from a wet spring and the ground staying wet under an extra layer of soil and mulching. If so, they cannot be saved. If you love dahlias (and who doesn't), get your gardening experience with them next season by buying a box of tubers from Costco, Sam's Club, hardware stores, or any of the other big box stores for not too much of an $ investment. I've had good luck with those the years I buy them. They might not be the exotic mail order types, but they grow and bloom. I'm not interested in digging and storing so get fresh ones and discard at season's end.
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Too late to divide sprouting dahlia?
Q
Comments (2)
This has been a nice mild winter for tubers left in the ground. The beauty of dahlia tubers is that if you knock or cut off a sprout, the tuber will grow 2-4 more in its place. Now is a great time to dig up and divide your babies. Don't worry about damaging the sprouts, as there is plenty of time for them to grow back if needed. They will help you know where to divide your overwintered clump... Make sure you use hand prunes (not the shovel/spade) to cut the clump up (spray with hose to clean off dirt, not at the highest setting so you don't damage the protective skin). Just make sure that each piece has a sprout, and replant immediately. If a hard frost comes along to kill the green, don't worry. It's late enough in the season that the tubers will be fine and will resprout.
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Re my question Dahlia Sprouts
Q
Comments (1)
The sprout will realign itself with 'up,' whichever direction regardless of the twisting the sprout needs to do. Most growers in the US lay the tuber horizontally (on its side) to make planting it easier. It doesn't really matter- the tuber will be happy as long as it's covered with soil.
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
9 years ago
I can't see it well but had thoughts of Euphorbia maculata and Pilea microphylla. What state or country is this in?
missingtheobvious
9 years ago
The stems are too thick to be Euphorbia maculata -- and there's too much going on there (flowers, etc.) to be E. maculata (or the similar weedy Euphorbia which isn't spotted).

I don't know the Pilea, but apparently it's not prostrate?
Carrie B
9 years ago
Jazer80 - would you post a close up (or two?)
jazer80
Original Author
9 years ago
This is the close up. I'm going to keep it and see what becomes of it. I planted wild flowers and dahlias in this pot. Everything died from the heat wave t. I live in Los Angeles California.
Carrie B
9 years ago
Can you get closer, so there are maybe only four or six leaves in the photo?
jazer80
Original Author
9 years ago
Hope this is better
missingtheobvious
9 years ago
The leaves are heart-shaped and folded.
Carrie B
9 years ago
An amaranthus, I think.
Carrie B
9 years ago
Amaranthus blitoides, I believe. Prostrate pigweed.

Jazer, it's always helpful when you post the location of the plant - city/state, growing conditions, etc. You see how I've got my city & USDA zone included near my name?

Here is a link that might be useful: Prostrate pigweed

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is this a dahlia sprout or a weed?

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dbarron

missingtheobvious

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is this a dahlia sprout or a weed?

Comments (11)

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