Planting Tubers
Start your dahlias no more than 6 weeks before transplanting them outside. Starting your dahlias more than 6 weeks ahead of transplanting will cause weak and spindly plants. Be sure your last frost date has passed, as the tender plant will freeze and die back if moved outside too soon. We recommend starting your dahlia tubers in plain potting soil, peat moss, or a combination of the two.
The tubers should be horizontally planted 3-4" deep and be covered completely. Tubers should never be planted vertically with the crown above the soil, as this method voids our guarantee. Start and keep them in a warm area above 70 degrees in a location where they will receive at least 8 hours of light once the sprouts emerge. Without proper direct sunlight the plants will be weak and yellow. The planting material should be kept slightly damp and not wet. (Dahlias can rot or develop poorly if the soil conditions are too wet.)
We recommend hardening off (putting them out during the days and bringing them in at night) your dahlias for a week before transplanting them to help them transition. Transplant your dahlias in your beds after the danger of frost is past. The ground temperature should be approximately 60 degrees or warmer. Plants should be about 12" tall or less when you move them outdoors and transplant. If the plants are over 12" high, pinch them back before transplanting. Be sure to plant the tuber 6" deep (this will cover up part of your stalk). After transplanting your dahlias into your beds, they will be stressed and may wilt, be sure to keep them damp for at least a week until the roots are established and no longer wilting. Once your dahlias are established, start your summer care regimen. Tubers planted to use for cuttings void the guarantee.
Dahlia Cuttings
Cuttings may be taken in January and February from tubers you grew previously as we are unable to ship until March. Please see our video at dahlias.com for information on how we do cuttings. Taking cuttings weakens the original tuber and the tuber is no longer covered under our guarantee.