Dahlia Tubers: Does size matter?

First of all… we’re keeping this wholesome, my mom might read this.

We’re talking about tubers. The potato-looking things. Stay focused.

Every spring, someone always asks me, “Is this tuber too small?”

Short answer?

No.

Dahlia tubers are a lot like potatoes. They come in all shapes and sizes — long and skinny, short and chunky, crooked, smooth, weirdly shaped. And the size does not predict how many flowers you’re going to get.

A big tuber does not automatically mean a bigger plant.
A small tuber does not mean you’re doomed to flower disappointment.

What actually matters is this:

Your tuber needs three things:

• A body (the potato part)

• A neck (the skinny part that connects it)

• And at least one eye

The most important piece? The eye.

That tiny little eye is where the shoot grows from. No eye = no plant.

The tricky part — sometimes the eye is hard to see. Especially in the winter. They’re much easier to spot once the tuber starts waking up in the spring or has been sitting in a warmer room for a bit. So don’t panic if you don’t immediately see one.

Another thing to look for?

You don’t want your tuber to be shriveled up. We like them plump. Firm. Healthy looking ones.

That’s why storing tubers well over winter matters so much. They sit for six long months before going back into the ground. (If you want the details on that process, check out our tuber storing blog).

So thankfully, when it comes to dahlia tubers…Size does not matter.

A small, healthy tuber with an eye will absolutely give you gorgeous blooms if you plant it well and care for it.

If you’re ready to get your hands on some dahlia tubers, we’ll be at The 507 Outskirts on March 21st with our dahlia tubers — the dreamy, cut-flower varieties we’ve been saving and dividing all winter.

Check out the details of the Event, Click here.