14/09/2026
Dahlia post #2
I like to wake my dahlias up early, and I do this by pre-sprouting.
After I have divided my tuber clumps, I dust a little sulphur powder on the cuts, and leave them for a day or two to cure/dry. I use sulphur as a fungicide, to help stop fungi and bacteria from entering the cut, and to dry the cuts, so they callous over more quickly.
Once my tubers have calloused over enough, I use breathable trays, (have also used cardboard boxes), lined with newspaper, then semi filled with a mix of compost and coconut coir.
Because the tubers hold all the nutrients required, I don't use any feed or fertilizer.
50/50 compost and coir is probably better, but I just purchase a bag of plain compost, and soak a block of coconut coir (9 liters once soaked).
I find the damp coconut coir, mixed in with the dry bag of compost, is damp enough for my tubers.
You don't want them to sit wet, or you'll increase the chance of rot.
I then layer my tubers, making sure they don't touch each other, then add enough mix just to cover them.
I then move them into my greenhouse, where they get warmth and more light, so they begin to wake up earlier.
I don't water until I get green shoots, and then only lightly as required!
The tuber should be able to sustain the shoots until they have 3-5 true sets of leaves.
I do this process, so by late October, or early November, when my soils are warm enough, I plant them out, and they're ready to go.
Any that haven't produced, (maybe I wasn't sure about eyes, but tried anyway) don't waste space in my garden.
Plus, being in an often wet area, there's less chance of the tubers rotting away while the eye's are waking up.
No video this time, then I can add photos here!
