How to Preserve Annual Dahlia Tubers: Helpful Tips

Dahlia

Gardeners with large garden plots love flowers like dahlias. And they often ask, "How do I preserve annual dahlia tubers until spring?" It's quite easy to do if you know the proper storage guidelines. By following all the recommendations, your dahlias will delight your eyes for years to come.

Rules for storing tubers of annual dahlias

Dahlia tubers can be stored in the same way as vegetables. The main thing to remember is that to ensure they last until spring, they need to be protected from frost and drying out, and to prevent them from rotting or sprouting prematurely.

Dahlia rhizomes can be successfully stored in a cellar, and there's no need to separate them. Racks or boxes are ideal for storage.

If cellar space is limited, you can stack the tubers on top of each other. However, in this case, it's best to use sawdust or sand.

The rhizomes should be checked for damage at least once a month. If a rotten tuber appears, it should be removed immediately. If the damage is minor, you can try to save the rhizome using a sharp knife and a disinfectant. Brilliant green or potassium permanganate can be used for this purpose. The affected tuber should then be stored separately. The sand or sawdust for the remaining rhizomes should be replaced.

It's also worth paying special attention to the air in the cellar. The air must be fresh. To achieve this, the cellar needs to be ventilated.

If the tubers start to dry out, they need to be sprayed. The key is to do everything in moderation. Excess moisture can lead to rot.

Sometimes the cellar is very warm, and in this case, the tubers can sprout. What can you do? Simply plant them immediately in containers or move them to a bright spot. If you plant the tubers and leave them in the cellar, the sprouts will stretch.

We've covered storage a bit, but in addition to proper storage, you need to know the rules for preparing for storage. These rules are simple, but they must be followed.

So:

First, you need to dig up the rhizomes. At this stage, be careful not to damage the roots. As for the stem, it needs to be trimmed.
The rhizomes should be cleaned of soil and washed thoroughly. Afterwards, they should be treated with a fungicide.
The roots should be dried and put in a cool place for 7-8 days.
To make storing the tubers more convenient, they can be separated.

How to Make Annual Dahlias Perennial

If you're wondering, "Can I store annual dahlias in a cellar until next year?" the answer is yes. Of course, this requires a lot of effort and proper storage. Tubers store very well in a cellar. Let's look at the most effective storage methods.

Storage with clay

First, the tubers need to be prepared. This means washing and drying them. Then, prepare a clay solution. The solution should have the consistency of thick sour cream. Then, dip each tuber into this solution and dry it. It's best to place the roots in specially prepared containers. When planting the tubers, carefully remove the clay shell.

Polyethylene

This storage method is also popular. When storing in plastic wrap, wrap the roots one at a time, tightly next to each other. The wrap can be purchased at a hardware store. The advantage of this method is that even the smallest tubers can be preserved.

Storage in paraffin

For this storage method, you'll need liquid paraffin. Heat it in a double boiler to 60 degrees Celsius and dip the tubers one by one. After the first layer of paraffin has dried, repeat this process.

Then, the tubers need to be placed in cellophane and sprinkled with sawdust.

Sand as a storage material

To store the flowers this way, you'll need a container and some dried sand. Fill the container with sand, and immerse the flower roots in it. Then cover the entire container with burlap. You can check the condition of the roots throughout the winter.

In addition to the methods discussed, tubers can also be stored in sawdust or vermiculite. As we can see, there are plenty of options; the main thing is to carefully follow the instructions for preparing for storage and the storage itself.

Reviews

Irena Gromova:

"Yes, all these storage methods are valid, but I want to tell you about another method. I store dahlia tubers this way for about five years. The idea is to dig a hole at least 1.5 meters deep. Place a container in the hole and place the tubers, previously dipped in a clay slurry. Then cover the container with a lid and bury it. In the spring, take the tubers out and plant them."

Yanina Petrova:

"I've tried every possible method. I've stored them in clay and cellophane. For the last few years, I've been storing them in sand. I like this method better than the others. It's very convenient; you can check the tubers at any time and see if everything is OK. Of course, you need a fair amount of sand, because dahlias are my favorite flowers. I have so many different varieties, and I try to preserve them all. But it's worth it."

Alenka:

"I'm a fan of these flowers. And so my neighbors often ask how to preserve annual dahlias until spring. The answer is simple. For many years now, I've been storing the tubers in dry sawdust. I take boxes, fill them with sawdust, and place the tubers on top, then cover them with more sawdust. Then I put the boxes in the cellar. The main thing is that the temperature in the cellar is at least +3°C."

Tatyana Kim:

"Annual dahlias, can I preserve the tubers? I hear this question often from people around me. It's possible, but you just need to know the proper storage instructions. First, wash the tubers, dry them, treat them with foundation, and then proceed to storage. I really liked the method of storing them in plastic. I have many different types of dahlias, and this method is also suitable because I store dahlias by type. That is, tubers of the same type in the same plastic bag, and so on."