How to store dahlias in winter at home until spring, caring for them

Dahlias are a beautiful perennial plant, so loved by gardeners all over Russia. However, the climatic conditions of many regions do not allow leaving the tubers in the open field for the next year. They are dug up and conditions are created for wintering, but not every experienced summer resident manages to ensure the safety of the entire collection. Therefore, the question of how to store dahlias in winter is very relevant, especially among beginners.

When to harvest dahlias for the winter

Dahlias don't need much care when they're in the ground, but it takes a little work to keep the tubers until next year.So, in the southern regions of Russia, in order to preserve the plant, it is recommended to mulch with sawdust or dry leaves. However, in the northern regions, it is recommended to dig up and store tubers in autumn until spring.

In the suburbs

Winter comes to Moscow and the Moscow region a little later, and almost always at different times. It is recommended to collect dahlias based on weather conditions. Usually the optimal time falls on the period from mid-October to mid-November. If frosts are expected in the next 2-3 days, and the cottage needs to be left now, it is recommended to dig up the dahlias a little earlier and process them properly.

In the Leningrad Region

Gardeners in the Leningrad region, because of the special weather conditions, have to be especially careful. After all, a distinctive feature of the region is constant precipitation, and it is recommended to harvest dahlias in dry weather.The best time to collect tubers is the first decade of October.

In the Urals

Dahlia harvesting occurs at the beginning of October, after the frost has already killed the stems of plants, but the ground has not yet frozen.

Important! It is recommended to dig up dahlias in the first days after the tops have frozen. If you stretch at least up to a week, the trunk will begin to rot. The rot passes to the tubers, and the entire collection dies.

Also, if a warm period comes after the cold, there is a risk of swelling of the kidneys, which is extremely inappropriate before winter.

In Siberia

In Siberia, frosts come much earlier, and therefore the garden cleaning season takes place in early autumn. Dahlias are harvested in mid-late September. But do not rush to collect plants. The best time for digging is the first two to three days after the first frost. The stem dies, and no longer needs to be recharged from the tuber, the deplorable state of the aerial part serves as a bell for collecting tubers.

According to the lunar calendar for 2022-2023

Also, some gardeners dig, focusing not on the climatic conditions of the region, but based on the data of the lunar calendar. The most favorable dates will be:

• in September - the first week in full, numbers from 10 to 19, and from 23 to 30 (all numbers except 25);
• in October - first three days, 7th and 8th, week - from 10th to 16th, all numbers from 20th to 30th, except 24;
• in November - the interval from the third to the sixth, from 8 to 12, and the numbers from 17 to 20 inclusive.

How to properly dig up flowers

To keep the tubers in good shape until spring, they should be cut correctly. To do this, it is recommended to cut off the upper part of the stem with secateurs, leaving 10-15 centimeters from the ground. A small stump is required to eliminate the risk of moisture penetration and infection.Then the soil around the tuber should be loosened and gently, without pulling on the remains of the stem, pull out the tubers. It is recommended to dig and lift dahlias with a pitchfork, as a shovel or chopper can seriously damage the plant.

Important! If the humidity of the air allows, it is required to leave the extracted tubers on the beds to dry. Then it is recommended to shake off the adhering soil and inspect the tubers for abrasions or rot.

Preparing tubers for storage

It is important not only to follow the rules of digging and not damage the roots, but to carry out the procedure for preparing for winter storage correctly. To do this, it is recommended to perform the following steps clearly, point by point:

• avoid the risk of disease;
• get rid of excess moisture;
• prepare wintering place;
• take care of storage conditions.

If all actions are performed correctly, then after wintering, dahlias will certainly please their owners with beauty and grandeur.

Processing

In order to avoid the appearance and spread of infection after digging, the tubers are definitely recommended to be processed. Potassium permanganate is considered a popular remedy for root diseases. It is required to prepare a pink solution in a large bowl (the volume depends on the number of tubers) and place the washed roots in it for half an hour. Often, sulfur or any fungicide of similar action is used instead of potassium permanganate.

Drying

Next, you need to dry the tubers well and prepare the dahlias for storage. The procedure is simple, but it is recommended to follow a few rules:

1. The roots should dry well and get rid of external moisture.
2. Tubers should be placed with the rest of the stalk down to remove the liquid stuck in the offshoot.
3. It is not recommended to dry dahlias in a warm room, as the evaporation of moisture will cause the root to dry out completely.

The best place for drying will be a shelf or window sill in the open air, in the absence of precipitation. However, it is recommended to perform the procedure on a sunny, relatively warm day, and not leave the tubers overnight.

Locations and storage conditions

It is also important to think in advance where the dahlias will be stored all winter. The tubers of the plant are unpretentious, but require minor conditions. Usually summer residents prefer to leave dahlias for the winter in the cellar, but not everyone can boast of having it. Then leave the plant in the living room. But what are the conditions required?

In the apartment

Important! The permitted air temperature for storing tubers varies from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius, but the humidity should not exceed 70 percent.

Therefore, gardeners often take them to the basement, but if there is no basement, you can find many other places for tubers to stay at home in winter:

• glazed unheated loggia or a special cabinet for storing vegetables on the balcony;
• a place in the bathroom (with a separate bathroom) under the sink;
• stairwell;
• specially equipped box on the outside of the windowsill;
• if there is a small amount of material, the tubers are stored in the refrigerator, in the lower section for vegetables.

In the cellar

Also, dahlias are stored in the cellar at their summer cottage. But in this case, it is required to completely secure the wintering place from the invasion of rodents. It is recommended to treat the floor with special pest repellents.

Another problem is the inability to independently control the humidity of the air, from which the tubers can rot. Therefore, gardeners advise at least once a month or two to get a few tubers and inspect them.

Methods of storing tubers

To ensure proper care of the tubers during wintering, it is recommended to store dahlias in small boxes filled with any of the suitable fillers.

In boxes

Wooden boxes for keeping dahlias until spring are the best place for several reasons:

• if necessary, they can be easily moved to a more suitable location;
• wood absorbs moisture, reducing the risk of rot;
• in apartment conditions, boxes are decorated outside; they can be made part of the interior.

In the sand

When choosing a filler, many prefer sand, which has a lot of advantages:

• not expensive;
• easy to pull out dahlias to check condition;
• does not accumulate excess moisture.

However, there are a couple of drawbacks. First, you will need a lot of sand and large boxes. It is also heavy, and if necessary, you will have to make an effort to change the storage location.

Important! Sand should not be watered while the tubers are overwintering, even if the roots seem to be losing too much of their moisture. Slightly overdried dahlias can be restored, but nothing will save rotten dahlias.

In sawdust

Sawdust, especially coniferous, creates optimal conditions for storing dahlias:

• absorb moisture well;
• create the right temperature;
• cheap;
• pine sawdust also has disinfecting properties;
• light.

When covering the tubers with sawdust, it is important to make sure they are well dried and free of pests. If the gardener is not sure of their quality, it is recommended to dry them yourself in the open air, spreading them in a thin layer in the sun.

Washing of dahlia tubers

Very time-consuming, but very effective method of increasing the safety of dahlias - waxing. Paraffin destroys possible infections and creates an optimal microflora for tubers, eliminating the influence of the external environment. Also, waxed roots take up much less space.

Ordinary old candles are suitable for the procedure:

• on a water bath is required to melt the material;
• dip the root hanging on a string and immediately pull it out;
• hold in a suspended state until the paraffin is completely hardened (about a minute).

Using vermiculite

Vermiculite is also used for storage. It is enough to cover the bottom of the box with a small layer of coarse-grained vermiculite, put dahlias on top, cover the box with cling film and transfer to a cool place.Any increase in storage temperature in this case may cause the plant to germinate prematurely.

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