Need help with my dahlia tubers I'm starting indoors
graceSF
11 years ago
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Comments (9)
mandolls
11 years agograceSF
11 years agoRelated Discussions
How much time needed to start tuberous begonias indoors?
Comments (1)My tuberous begonias tell me when they are ready to grow. I will put them where I can watch them, in a wire basket with room to keep them apart. As I notice the buds develop I plant them, buds facing up with little or no soil covering the buds. Keeping the soil damp, not saturated, inside in good light. I have never paid attention to the time spent inside before putting out in a protected place. Most of mine are planted now. If I wanted to delay them growing, I would keep them cold. Al...See MoreCan I Start Dahlia Tubars Indoors Using Seed Starting Medium?
Comments (2)In my experience tubers need: 1. Water 2. Light inside. When they go outside, the need soil. In other words, you could start them in wet newspapers and they'd likely eye up and sprout. Soil only comes into it when they sprout roots, and when you're starting tubers you're not really going after roots, you want sprouts. The more roots they grow indoors, the more work it is to transplant safely. I'd use the loosest soil you can find, and keep the tubers shallow in the mix. I started mine in a 50-50 mix of Miracle Grow Seed Starter and peat. Worked fine, but I doubt the soil had anything to do with anything. Cheers, Russ...See MoreTransplanting Dahlias started indoors - again
Comments (9)Dahlias grow the very best when the soil temp. is constantly 60*-- no 2 ways about it! If they are already growing & you put them out they might just sit there stunted until the temp. gets up to where they need it to be to grow- or the tuber will rot & not have enough feeder roots growing yet to sustain the plant- then you've got a dead plant. Also- dahlias & tomatoes are related-- so there you go- what's good for one is good for the other! Your dahlias grow all summer long & as the temp gradually gets cooler, they keep going until frost- yes, it's colder than 60* but they've had all summer to put on semi-hardy stems & the fall to get used to the colder temps. The stems in spring are tender new growth & way more susceptible to frost than the woody thick stems that have grown all summer long. Why do Home Depot & all those nurseries have tender plants out now?? When they frost & die you have to go back to the store & buy MORE, of course! Stands to reason- if they can sell you the same plants a few times over they're going to! Most savvy gardeners don't fall for their tactics & don't purchase tender plants until they can stand up to the local weather....See MoreDahlias started indoors
Comments (6)I don't usually start until the end of March or early April under lights. Otherwise they get too lanky. Then they have to be acclimatized to the sun. Maybe this will help you for next year. I don't know if I would cut them back though That might be just too much. Others may disagree. It is just my hunch....See MoregraceSF
11 years agograceSF
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