How to store dahlias in winter

Before laying dahlia tubers for the winter, it is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory measures.

Plant tubers must be excavated from the ground with minimal damage. Carefully shake off the remaining soil from the roots and spread them out for subsequent drying.

To do this, you can use a shed, a greenhouse or another room. The main thing is to create a good airing. Open as far as possible all the windows and doors.

At the end of the week, you can start removing roots from the tubers and cutting off the main stem, retreating from the tuber about 4 cm. Slices should be sprinkled with lime.

Dahlias are left to dry for another week. This time will be required to dry the cut off places on the stems. After this, you can stack the dahlia tubers in boxes.

At the bottom of each drawer, place the paper so that its edges go over the edge. To prevent the paper from tearing, take sheets of medium thickness. Then, at the bottom, the earth is distributed uniformly.

It is not necessary to make a thick layer, 3 cm is enough. Dahlias are laid on it in one layer. Formed voids are filled with dry earth.

If the dimensions of the box allow, lay the second layer with tubers, just sprinkling with the earth. We use the remaining edges of the paper to seal the boxes and place them in a cool place. This method of storage can save 100% of planting material.

If you are going to store dahlias in the cellar, the temperature in it should not fall below 3 degrees. With this method of storage, it is necessary to periodically ventilate the floor. Dahlias should be on the shelves.

Causes of loss of dahlia

As a rule, rotting of root crops when stored in winter begins with the upper part of the cut off stalk. Loss of planting material can be very significant due to the rapid spread of rot on the stems to the neck of the root system.

Another reason for the loss of tubers is the inability to distinguish in the early stages of infected plants. In appearance, this is almost impossible to do.

Fungal infection spreads quickly, and when it is detected, the plant can no longer be saved. Therefore, to prevent rotting of the dahlian stump, it should be cleaned before wintering. This can be done with a simple kitchen knife, scraping the upper peel from the stem.

When storing dahlias, one more problem may be encountered. Often, the root cocks dry up. Cope with this problem will help cover the tubers with clay shell.

Carefully dig out dahlias, shake off excess land and dry for a few days in the open air. We remove the remaining land and place the dahlias in a strong solution of potassium permanganate for the whole day.

Tubers slightly dried and dipped in clay solution. The consistency of the clay brewer should be approximated to the consistency of sour cream. Any kind of fungicide can be added to the solution.

Dry the roots to complete curing of the tubers. Such dahlias can be hidden in a cool cellar. Before planting, the clay crust is easily removed by small tapping. Do not try to completely clean the tubers of clay.

If you are going to store dahlias in an apartment, the tubers should be tightly sealed in a plastic bag with a dry insulating material. You can use perlite, peat or vermiculite to spill over.

Well preserve the planting material of sawdust. At a high humidity of the tubers, the dahlia can be covered with a thin layer of paraffin. To do this, melt the paraffin on the fire. Well dried tubers lower for a few seconds in the melted wax. When the first layer hardens, the dahlias are dipped again. Before planting, the paraffin layers are torn.

All florists, experienced or not, should carefully look through the tubers. Upon detection of rot, the affected areas are completely removed. The incised parts of the root crop are lubricated with a mixture of hydrated lime and colloidal sulfur. Sulfur and lime are taken in equal proportions.

Cleaning

Cleaning dahlias fall in the fall. After the first severe frost, the tubers should be excavated. At this time the stems of the plants completely die, after which the sleeping buds begin to wake up. Postponing the excavation of tubers will lead to their death. Dig in the dry days.

Dahlias can be prepared for the first frost. To do this, lower leaves break off and plant the plant 10 cm high. Cut off unwanted stems.

Good luck in the new summer season!