frankrichards16 said:

the only thing you can do with dahlias at this time of year in Michigan, is to pot them. Last year I planted my tubers outside ~ the end of May. So, you could easily wait for another 8 weeks.

Right you are Frank! The past two years a have started mine in pots, outside, under a glass table. It has worked for me because then I can control how much moisture they get until they have plenty of growth. I got burned once by a horribly wet spring and many rotted in the ground before they could really get going.

End of May this year is going to be busy for me since I got a second job in a garden center! So getting some stuff done earlier will help me out. I will not have a day off between the two jobs until early June.

Well I am done (for now - 34 more coming in the mail). Potted 114 with five flats having tubers laying horizontally. I don't have lights on over the pots as there is nothing to use the light yet. I don't want to dry out the soil which I moistened slightly.

You certainly have been busy!

Yes, she has! Planting time will be busy for Mary!

Oberon46 said:When they are trying to grow and have long spindly growth, is it alright to just cut it off and plant. I heard they would just send out new growth. Hope so as that is what I have done.

I think that is correct.

thanks Frank

I posted this picture on DG but wanted to post it here also. It is sort of self explanatory. I had planted two tubers, each having two tubers joined. When I saw three sprouts, one on the opposite side of the pot from the others I got curious. Now I have four plants instead of one. Karma Maarten Zwaan

Hurray for more plants!

I just got my order from Swan Island. At least two weeks before I get to them. But nice to know it is here

I couldn't take it anymore! I unwrapped my dahlias in storage. Only a couple got yucky. A few had sprouts starting. I'm only going to keep two of each. I'll probably pick those next weekend and pot them up then.

I can't believe you waited this long. Glad you didn't have much loss

Great work, Jennifer! I'm also glad you didn't have any major losses. Almost all the dahlias I ordered have arrived.

You do have patience ! I unwrappped mine about a month ago. There are still a few that haven't eyed up that I have hopes for (though maybe I shouldn't), but they are extras anyway.

As they start forming sprouts, I have been "potting" them in zip lock baggies, with just enough soil to cover them, and then adding soil as they grow. About 1/3 of them are now above the top and under lights. Now I just have to keep them happy for another month before I can put them out!

I used the zip locks last year and like how many I can fit in a tray (18-20 ) compared to pots I have used in the past. Plus when you have a long tuber, it will still usually fit in, I do have a couple in gallon sized bags, but that still takes a lot less room and soil than a gallon sized pot.

Today I planted the tubers that I got from @mandolls.

They were all so healthy and big! Whatever you're doing, it's working!

I never thought of such a thing - zip locks. I am being run out of the garage with pots. I will try to remember that idea for next year. My tubers were pretty wimpy but have sprouted and are growing nice looking plants in a few cases. I have another month at least before they can go outside. Supposed to be 60 next week.

As soon as I get my raised beds composted and then covered with nice soil I need Damien to set up the drip system I got last year. I should be able to monitor who gets how much much better.

Great idea, Mandolls. I'll use it on Monday, when it will be raining and I won't be in the garden. Thanks!

@ssgardener - glad they are looking good - I didn't realize that warm weather in Maryland came that much earlier, but I suppose there is a big difference between zone 7 and zone 4. I don't usually put men in the ground until the end of May, but should be able to get them in a few weeks earlier this year, as the snow has been gone for quite a while.

The zip locks are something I picked up from someone else, I was doubtful at first, but am very happy with them. You need to cuff the tops to keep them open, and you have to watch out that as the sprouts start shooting up, that they stay clear of the plastic - if they are up against the plastic they tend to rot. I don't poke holes in them for drainage, I am just careful with the water.

Oh yes. I forgot about drainage. But so much easier to see how moist they are in clear bags than in pots. I am swearing this year that I will let them droop before watering rather than rotting any as happens so often around this time. I also use my moisture meter before watering.

If I were to move them to the covered raised beds in their pots and it dipped below 32 and the greenery got 'nipped' a little, do you think they would just grow new leaves? The tubers would be fine. But they might go dormant again if they thought winters was coming early.

I would be afraid that to much cold (below 45) might stunt them. I know that last year, some annuals and vegetables that I moved out to my screened porch to early, were not at all happy about it, and while they survived, it put them about a month behind, and some never grew to full potential.

I am sure you are right. I may hold off til May 1 and see how the temps go.