Hey everyone! I'm really sorry to bring up dahlias again, but I'm still learning and could use some advice. I bought some tubers from Farmer Gracey about 4 to 5 weeks ago and potted them up as instructed. I placed them in a small greenhouse that gets around 6 hours of sunlight a day, but unfortunately, none of them have sprouted yet. I also got two tubers from Sainsbury's, and they haven't done anything either. I heard they need consistent temperatures around 15 degrees to grow, but it's been a bit cooler at night where I live in Staffordshire. I even moved them inside my dining room to try and warm them up, but that area doesn't get much light either. I'm thinking of taking them outside during the day for some sunlight and bringing them back in at night since I don't have enough windowsills for them (they're occupied with cosmos, aster, and zinnia seedlings). Is it worth the effort to keep trying, or should I just give up on my dream of a stunning cut flower garden this summer? Thanks so much for any tips!
2 Answers
Hey! I'm in Berkshire, and I started mine outside in pots about six weeks ago. They've all started sprouting nicely, so it sounds like your conditions might be a bit off. It’s possible that keeping them in a warm spot is good, but they really do need that bright light to kickstart growth. If the weather is warming up this week, definitely take them outside during the day! Just make sure to keep an eye on nighttime temps and bring them in if it gets chilly.
You might not want to keep them inside too long. Dahlias are typically outdoor plants, so starting them indoors can sometimes lead to issues like this. It sounds like you're trying to help them along, which is great! Just remember, they thrive outdoors once it's warm enough. If you can find a sunny spot outside during the day, give that a shot. They really just need a little patience and maybe some help from the sun!
Got it! I’ll try to take them out during the warmer parts of the day and see if that helps. Thanks for the tips!