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March 2005
If you have not divided any of your roots yet, now would be a good time to move them to a warmer spot. I put mine in my basement. Look at them and see if there are any eyes. If some of your clumps are ready to divide put them aside and repack the others. When you divide dahlias do one clump at a time and label every tuber you intend to keep. I use an industrial sharpie and if the tuber survives the season I usually still can read it after I dig it up in the fall. When you find more than one tuber sharing the same eye leave them alone and look at them again next month. When I am finished cutting I cover the tubers lightly with some rags or newspaper and let the cuts heel for a couple of days. Then I put them into vegetable bags along with cedar pet bedding. If you need help learning how to divide dahlia clumps bring a clump to one of our club meetings or to Planting Fields on Wednesday morning and someone will show you how.
February 2005
February is a good time to check your roots if you haven't done so already. If they are a little damp and have some rot you can trim off the bad stuff and spread the good pieces out on some newspaper to heal and dry for a day or so. I cover mine lightly with some rags or newspaper during that time. If you see any gray fuzzy stuff you can just brush it off with an old paintbrush. If there are broken necks on some tubers or if they are dried up and shriveled just cut them off. When you are repacking you can put aside anything you want to make cuttings from. Every Wednesday morning this spring we will be making cuttings at Planting Fields, so join us if you can.
April 2004
Have you ever had the little eyes accidentally fall off when you are handling your dahlias at this time of the year? Guess what? They can be saved! If you put them in some moist potting mix and keep them moist but not wet, most of them will form roots and start to grow. Try it. I have had many plants grow this way. Make sure that you mark the name of each variety and good luck!
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