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- 1). Stop watering your dahlias in mid-fall or 1 to 2 weeks before the first frost date.
- 2). Allow frost to wilt or partially kill the greenery.
- 3). Prune back the wilted leaves and stems to 6 inches. Wait 1 to 2 weeks before digging up the dahlia bulbs. Leaving the bulbs in the ground encourages them to go dormant.
- 4). Dig up the dahlia bulbs using a hand trowel. Don't cut or damage the bulbs. Discard bulbs that are soft or appear rotted. Healthy bulbs are firm to the touch and an even tan or brownish color.
- 5). Use a soft bristle brush to remove as much soil as possible. Place the bulbs in a sunny spot and allow them to dry for 4 to 5 hours. Brush the bulbs again to remove dried soil.
- 6). Trim up the dahlia bulb by removing roots using a sharp knife or pruning shears. Cut the leaves and stems to 1-inch above the eye (the place where the buds emerge).
- 7). Divide dahlia bulbs now if needed. The bulb should be divided if the original bulb is surrounded by smaller bulbs or growths. Each piece needs one to two eyes (the place where growth emerges). Eyes are typically found on a ridge that runs along the top of the bulb. Use a sharp knife to divide the bulb rather than breaking pieces off.
- 8). Label your dahlia bulbs by writing the variety on the bulb itself with indelible pencil or attach plastic plant ties to the stem.
- 9). Fill a cardboard box or plastic container with a 1 to 2-inch layer of slightly moistened horticultural sand, sawdust or peat moss.
- 10
Place a layer of dahlia bulbs on the moistened material. The bulbs should be arraigned so they do not touch. Cover with another 1 to 2 inches of moistened material. Continue layering this way until the container is full. The top layer of dahlia bulbs should be covered. - 11
Place the container in a basement, garage, or outbuilding where temperatures remain between 40 and 50 degrees F. - 12
Check your dahlia bulbs monthly. If the bulbs appear rotted they are too cold and wet. Remove the bulbs, use a sharp knife to cut away rotted sections (remember to leave one to two eyes per bulb) or discard the bulb, allow to dry overnight, use new moistened sand, sawdust or peat moss and a new container to store them. Place in a warmer location. Shriveled bulbs mean they are too warm or dry. Sprinkle with water and place in a cooler location. - 13
Plant dahlia bulbs 1 to 2 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Examine the bulbs before planting. Discard bulbs that have rotted over the winter.
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