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🌼 Caring for Your Dahlia Tubers Upon Arrival
Thank you for choosing my dahlia tubers—I'm thrilled to be part of your gardening journey. To help you get the most out of your tubers, I've put together this simple care guide for what to do when they arrive at your door.
What to expect in your package
Your tubers will arrive packed for protection, typically in a dry potting mix or wood shavings. Each tuber is hand-checked to ensure it's healthy and ready for planting. It will either have a visible shoot or it's eye will be circled to help you see where it will grow from.
Unpack Immediately
Once your tubers arrive, open the package right away. Dahlia tubers are living things, and they need to breathe.
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Healthy tubers are firm, with at least one "eye" (a small bud or bump) on the crown where the stem will grow. A little dryness or wrinkling is normal after shipping. If any tubers appear mushy or moldy, let me know immediately. I ask that you send a photo of any tuber that you are concerned about.
Storage Until Planting
If you're not ready to plant yet, store the tubers in a cool, dark, and dry place. A basement or garage works well. Keep them in a breathable container (like a pot or box with air holes) with some dry potting mix to help regulate moisture. Check on them regularly.
When to plant
Wait until all danger of frost has passed and your soil has warmed to at least 15°C. Planting too early in cold, wet soil can cause the tubers to rot.
Planting tips
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Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
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Depth: Plant 4–6 inches deep with the eye facing up.
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Spacing: Allow about 18–24 inches between tubers.
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Staking: Most dahlis will need some sort of support. Staking at the same time that you plant will reduce the likelihood of damaging your tuber by staking later.
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Protection: Snails and slugs looooove baby dahlia shoots. You should protect them at the time of planting.
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Watering: Hold off on watering until shoots appear. Overwatering too soon can lead to rot.
Questions?
We’re here to help! If you have any concerns about your tubers or have any other questions, feel free to contact me.
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Happy planting, and here’s to a vibrant, bloom-filled season ahead!