Removing the cuttings from the package
Immediately open and remove your dahlia cuttings from the box when they come. They are sensitive to both heat and cold and will want to be carefully unboxed, given a drink and kept upright in a temperate room indoors for the first day to perk up after their journey. They will want a small amount of light to reacclimate after their dark journey. So a shaded windowsill or a spot close to, but not directly under grow lights is good. If they look as if they will not survive, please take pictures and contact us (kindly) within 7 days of receipt.
Potting them up or putting them outside
After your plant has recovered from its journey through the mail, it will need to be potted up or hardened off to plant outside. Dahlias will not survive frost. Only plant them after all chance of frost has passed. You may keep them potted up inside under grow lights if you’re concerned about frost. They can be put into a four-inch pot with potting soil while you wait for good weather.
If you’re ready to plant them outside, they will need to be slowly acclimated. This is called hardening off. First, put them in the shade outside for a day or two in moderate (not freezing or hot) temperatures. At this stage, they can easily get sunburnt and die. Slowly give them more sun each day. Let them get an hour, then two etc. until they are adjusted to a full day of sun. Once they are fully adjusted to the sun and you are past the risk of frost they can be planted out. Also be careful with wind. A windy day can dry out young, unhardened cuttings quickly.
When do dahlias bloom?
Dahlias can take anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks to bloom after planting. Once they start blooming, they will continue to bloom until first frost.
How long does it take for a dahlia tuber to form?
The general wisdom is that dahlias need to be growing for about 120 days to make tubers. More is great!
