Storing dahlia tubers in the winter at home

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:37

The key to guaranteed conservation of dahlia tubers in winter is proper preparation. They need to be dug out only against the background of the approaching cold weather, as the leaves darken. You should not rush to this process at the beginning of autumn, because green leaves speak of vegetative processes in the flower. Interference with them can cause injury and weakening of the flower, as a result of which the chances of overwintering are reduced.

In the article we will tell you how to prepare and store dahlia tubers in winter so that they are well preserved at home.

Preparatory stages

Before digging out the tubers, it is important to trim the stems, leaving a length of no more than 20 cm. It is important not to damage the tubers and the neck of the flower, for this you will have to dig in each bush from all sides and carefully remove them. The optimal digging radius cannot be less than 30 cm around the perimeter of the entire flower.

It is necessary to get rid of the remnants of the soil on the tubers and rinse with running water, drying after that. Excess rhizomes can be trimmed as they dry out and draw forces from the viable part of the tubers. They need to be shortened by about 15 cm, which will increase the chances of safe storage without difficulty or damage.

Knowing how to store dahlias dug out tubers in winter at home, if there is no cellar, you will see that dahlias will delight you with flowering next year!

Dividing tubers

The next step in working with dahlias is dividing the tubers. It is important to carefully carry out this procedure, observing that there are healthy buds on each tuber. Immediately after this, it is important to ensure disinfection by lowering the tubers in a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes.

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All dark spots or doubtful areas with possible manifestations of diseases must first be removed, since they can provoke the process of death of tubers. For high-quality and thorough processing, you can use specialized plant protection products.

It is necessary to carefully examine each tuber for damage or the onset of disease. The most common manifestation of white bloom, which is a sign of fungi.

In the absence of a timely response to such a disease, the chances of successful storage of tubers throughout the winter are significantly reduced.

After all the preparatory steps, the dahlias should dry out and quenched in a cool place for 10 days. This will allow growers to assess the condition and vitality of the tubers, giving them new strength and preparing them for climate change over a long period. Minor injuries and wounds on the tubers received during digging during this period should be completely healed.

Storage options

The simplest and cheapest way is to store the tubers in a box. To do this, it is enough to put a layer of peat on the bottom of the container, placing dry and healthy tubers on it, on top they can also be sprinkled with peat or sawdust. After that, it is worth putting the box in the coolest place, without direct sunlight or temperature changes.

For these purposes, you can use a place in the basement where you can store both dahlias and other flower roots in the winter at home.

A good option for storing dahlias at home in winter is to place them in the sand. To do this, you can take a large container filled with sand and simply immerse the tubers in it. Leave the container in the apartment, in a cool place. With this option, it is important not to overdo it with moisture, since it can provoke vegetative processes and cause growth to begin. In the future, the danger of plant death increases due to the lack of full-fledged conditions for formation.

Storing dahlias in paraffin is a proven and successful method of protection, but it will take a long time. To carry it out, you will have to melt a large amount of paraffin, bringing it to a liquid state. After that, you need to dip each tuber separately in the liquid for a short time.

As it cools, the paraffin will create a protective film that will not only preserve all the characteristics and viable qualities of the roots, but also become an additional stage of disinfection. The created barrier will protect the plant from the influence of negative environmental factors and a possible attack of insects. Only such tubers will begin to wake up later than the rest, which should be taken into account when planting in spring.

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Often, flower growers use sawdust or wood chips to store flower tubers, simply by immersing the roots in it. For this, it is important to choose large sawdust, since small ones can draw out moisture, which will negatively affect the condition of dahlias. This method requires a minimum amount of time and is practical.

Garden vermiculite perfectly retains moisture in the roots, so its use will also have a positive effect on the condition of flowers. For successful storage, experts recommend choosing large-fraction vermiculite, which need to line the bottom of the container, and then lay out all the tubers.

After that, the container with the plants should be covered with plastic wrap and moved to a cool room with a temperature of no more than 6 ° C heat. Given constant heat, there is a high probability of root growth due to the abundance of moisture and heat, so flower lovers will have to constantly monitor temperature indicators.

At home in winter, you can use a method such as storing dahlia roots in the refrigerator. But in the event that you have a small number of them. To do this, the roots must be placed in plastic bags and covered with sawdust, while making sure that the temperature does not drop below 2 ° C and does not rise above 6-7 ° C, be sure not to forget to ventilate.

All storage options involve finding the tubers in a cool and ventilated room without sudden changes in the microclimate, which can negatively affect the condition of the flowers. If it is supposed to preserve flowers in the basement, then, regardless of the choice of insulation option, it is important to pay attention to the presence of moisture.

It is undesirable to keep dahlias next to potatoes or other vegetables. Excessive moisture can lead to the development of numerous diseases and the spread of fungi. The area where flowers are found should be as dry as possible for their own safety.

One of the most common mistakes flower lovers make is trying to store them in plastic bags throughout the winter. Even with the correct and careful preparation of the tubers, there is a high probability of a negative effect on them of condensation, which will form periodically. It will negatively affect the condition of the tubers, increasing the risk of putrefactive diseases.

The article provided information on how best to store dahlias in the winter at home so that they do not dry out in the apartment and deteriorate in the refrigerator.

Bonus

1. Dahlias must be stored at a temperature not lower than +6 ° C.
2. Ventilated dry rooms are ideal for storing roots.
3. Before storing dahlias, their roots must be washed and treated with special agents, then dried.