The Rural Florist

Caught in a trance of dahlia tuber dividing. Multiple alarms are set to remind me I have a family. Anyone else feel like the hours just vanish and there’s never enough of them right now?

Before you can confidently divide a dahlia, you need to know what you’re looking at.

Every clump is made up of a few key parts, and understanding what each one does makes the dividing process much less intimidating.

Next week in Dahlia Diaries, we’ll tackle tuber dividing.

Follow so you don’t miss it, and send this to a friend who’s planning to dig and divide their dahlias this winter.

Dahlia Diaries Ep 6: Washing up.

After a couple of months in storage, it’s finally time to wash the dahlia tuber clumps for dividing.

I don’t wash them straight after digging. Giving them time to cure helps reduce moisture loss, although it does make the job a little bigger.

The goal isn’t to get every speck of dirt off. It’s simply to expose the crown and tubers so I can inspect each clump before dividing.

As they’re washed, I’m checking for rot, damaged necks and any clumps that won’t make the cut. They’re looking good so far, although the occasional tragedy of a whole clump ending up in the bin.

Once clean, they’re left to dry before waiting their turn on the dividing table.

I work through my collection in a particular order. The reliable workhorses are washed first, while the unicorns are left until as close to packing as possible. The less time they spend in storage after washing, the better.

Next up in Dahlia Diaries… we’ll be learning the anatomy of a dahlia clump. Follow Kate - Dahlia Tuber & Flower Grower NZ as we delve into the detail before dividing.

FAQ’s

Do I have to wash my tubers?
No. If your soil brushes away easily, washing may not be necessary. The goal is simply to expose the crown and tubers so you can clearly see what you’re working with.

Why do you leave dirt on them after digging?
I find they lose less moisture and store better when they’re left to cure before washing.

What if I find rot?
It’s very common for the mother tuber to be soft or rotten by this stage because she’s already spent her energy growing the plant and producing new tubers. Remove any rotten tissue, allow the cut to dry, and dust with cinnamon before placing it back into storage.

Do I have to dig and divide?
No. In many parts of NZ, dahlias can be left in the ground all winter. I lift and divide mine because I sell tubers, it also allows me to inspect quality and multiply my plants.

Why are some clumps huge and others tiny?
Some varieties are naturally prolific and produce large clumps every year, while others are more stingy. Growing conditions play a part, but genetics have the biggest influence. Remember, it’s not always the size that counts.

Confession: I’ve been a bad seedling mum. The sweet pea seedlings did not survive the school holidays.

Anyone else guilty of a cheeky punnet backup?