What to do with broken dahlia tubers and how to save them.

A broken dahlia- is it as bad as it looks?

One of the most incredible things about dahlias is their ability to repair and regenerate. If you have a few broken tubers on your dahlia, don't worry. They are such an awkward shape that it's very common for some dahlias to arrive with bent limbs. The industry practice is just to cut them off. 

A difficult structure

As a structure, dahlias are designed to be in the ground, and the soil supports their swollen tubers that store nutrients. When you lift them, it is very easy for them to get bent out of shape, but it doesn't mean your tuber won't grow. 

Here, we explain how to manage your damaged dahlias. Remember that these long hanging limbs are just a storage unit for the plant. Peter Nyssen offers over 250 varieties of dahlia, and the tubers all have different shapes. 

Experience is often the best way to tell if a tuber is worth saving. You can soak the tuber to see if the roots can provide nutrients to the plant. If the neck is firm, then it will be okay to save it; if not, it is best to cut it off. 

To be a healthy summer plant, a tuber should have 2-3 eyes at minimum. Tubers are phenomenally productive, so cuttings and divided tubers will produce a lot of growth in one season. It is always worth trying to save what you can to grow next summer.

Peter Nyssen is here to help.

We take great care in providing you with the biggest and best-value tubers. We are always available if you have questions about your order!

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