The Rural Florist

The Rural Florist Growing cut flowers in Gisborne, NZ. Dahlia tuber presale online www.theruralflorist.co.nz

01/06/2026

The most asked question I get every winter…

“Why are my dahlia tubers shrivelling?”

Here’s every reason why 👇

1. Digging too early
Immature tubers haven’t fully hardened their skin yet, so they lose moisture much faster in storage.

2. Washing straight after digging
Freshly dug tubers are vulnerable. Washing immediately removes the protective dirt layer and shocks them before they’ve had time to cure.

3. Dividing before storage
Fresh divisions are weaker and more prone to dehydration than a full clump left intact over winter.

4. Leaving them to dry on concrete
Concrete sucks moisture straight out of your tubers, especially if they’re sitting there for hours or days.

5. Leaving them in the sun after digging
Even a short time baking in the sun can start dehydrating freshly lifted clumps.

6. Storage that’s too warm or dry
Warm sheds, breezy garages, or very low humidity can slowly shrivel tubers over winter.

7. Some varieties are just harder to store
Certain varieties naturally lose moisture faster than others.

SAVE this for digging season and FOLLOW along for more DAHLIA DIARIES. Where we go deeper into winter storage and all the troubleshooting to give your precious bundles the best chance.

29/05/2026

Dahlia Diaries Episode 4: The Big Dig

It’s finally time for one of the biggest jobs of the dahlia calendar… digging!

It’s dirty, physical work, but it’s very satisfying unearthing what each plant has been hiding underground. I liken it to a treasure hunt.

FAQ’s:

Do I need to dig my dahlias?
No. Many NZ gardeners can leave their dahlias in the ground, especially if you have free-draining soil.

Why do you dig yours?
I dig mine so I can divide and sell tubers throughout NZ. I also like being able to inspect every clump and remove any that don’t meet my quality standards.

When do you dig?
After the plants have died back naturally or knocked by frost. Here in Gisborne, that’s usually late May to early June.

How long can tubers stay in the ground?
In many areas, all winter. The biggest risk isn’t cold, it’s rot from sitting in wet soil for long periods.

Should I wash and divide them straight away?
You can, but I prefer to store the clumps whole and divide later in winter. Freshly dug tubers are still curing and are generally more vulnerable to moisture loss and storage issues.

My tubers are shrivelling. What am I doing wrong?
Shrivelling is often caused by digging, washing or dividing too early before the tubers have fully matured. Covering tubers with fresh compost or potting mix can help reduce moisture loss during storage.

What if I find rot?
Don’t panic. It’s quite common for the original mother tuber to be soft or rotten by the end of the season because she’s spent her energy growing the plant and new tubers. Cut away any rot, allow the wound to dry, optional dust with cinnamon before placing into storage.

Why are some clumps huge and others tiny?
Variety plays a big role. Some dahlias naturally produce large, productive clumps, while others are slower to bulk up and may only produce a handful of tubers each season.

What if I accidentally stab a tuber while digging?
It happens to the best of us. Minor damage usually isn’t a problem. Let the wound dry and callous over before storage, and keep an eye on it for signs of rot.

Follow along for more Dahlia Diaries as we move onto Winter storage, trouble shooting, then eventually

28/05/2026

Just a little reminder to stop and soak it in.

There’s a little bit of magic in slowing down long enough to notice what’s right in front of you.

Did you see the sunrise this morning? 🌅

27/05/2026

Flower money well spent 🌸

My first ever purchase was a hedge trimmer for my many metres of box hedging and the collection grew from there.

Do you have a favourite power tool in your collection?

26/05/2026

Dahlia Diaries Ep. 3: Cutting back.

Hundreds of plants, thousands of stems, and one very satisfying job ticked off the list.

Keep firing your questions through while I keep cutting and we’ll chat digging & winter storage next episode.

FAQ’s:

When do you start cutting back?
After a killing frost, or when the stems have died back naturally. In our mild climate, I cut back in late May-early June. Episode 1 gives a good look at how the flower field looks.

Can I leave them in the ground?
YES! You do not have to dig your dahlias, especially if you’ve got well draining soil, and most of New Zealand does not get cold enough to freeze them underground.

Will my tubers rot if I leave them in the ground?
They can if your soil stays wet over winter, especially in heavy clay or poorly draining areas. Good drainage is the biggest factor, which is why some gardeners choose to lift and store their tubers instead.

Why do you dig them?
I dig them so I can divide and sell tubers throughout New Zealand. I do have some garden clumps that I keep in the ground for my own enjoyment.

Do you have to sanitise between every plant?
YES! To help prevent the spread of virus and disease. Between every plant at cutting back, dividing and when picking flower stems.

What tools do you recommend?
I am loving my new battery powered secateurs ‘ASA 20’ and tool pouch to hold everything I need. I also have my favourite special spade that’s probably older than I am!

Why do you leave some stem instead of cutting to ground level?
It helps stop water tracking down into the tuber clump, plus it makes it much easier to remember where your dahlias are once everything dies back for winter.

24/05/2026

Dahlia Diaries Episode 2: Seed Saving.

I’ve touched on dahlia breeding recently and now I’m saving seed for next season. Did you know these tiny seeds can grow a flowering plant and a clump of tubers all in one season?

Every seedling is completely unique, it will not grow true to the parent, it may disappoint or delight!

A few quick FAQs from this season:

Will you be selling seeds?
Possibly! I’ll decide once everything has been harvested, cleaned and counted. There will be plenty available next year.

When do you sow your seeds?
Early Sept in Gisborne, roughly 6 weeks before our last frost.

What are your favourite dahlias to save seed from?
This season I’m focussing more on balls and pom poms. I had a pretty epic fail with collarettes this year!

Can I save seed from my own garden?
Absolutely. Even beginners can collect and grow dahlia seed at home.

Do you hand pollinate?
Not this year, I let the bees do the work. But I’ll dabble in hand pollination next season. It’s a very drawn out process.

How long does it take to create a new variety?
Usually 3–4 years of growing, assessing and trialling before I’d even consider releasing one.

Are dahlias from seed worth growing?
Absolutely. They’re one of the cheapest ways to fill a garden with flowers if you don’t mind a little surprise factor. But if you’re short on space, buying proven dahlia tuber varieties might be the better option.

Coming up on Dahlia Diaries:
✂️ Cutting back
🪏To dig or not to dig
📦 Winter storage

23/05/2026

Filming Episode 2 of Dahlia Diaries this afternoon 🌸

What do you want to know about dahlia seed saving? 👇

Thanks for the tutorial .lange

Address

Gisborne

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Rural Florist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Rural Florist:

Shortcuts

Share

Category