Dahlias can be propagated very easily by dividing the dahlia tubers. This will give you two or more identical georgines that you can care for in the garden or in pots. This is how dahlia tubers are divided correctly.
How and when should you divide dahlia tubers?
Divide dahlia tubers in the spring before planting in order to obtain he althy and flowering plants. Either break off individual tubers or cut them with a clean knife, making sure to leave at least one eye per section. Then plant out immediately.
When is it necessary to divide the tubers?
Dividing is particularly recommended if the tubers are very large and a little older.
If a dahlia has a lot of large individual tubers, new tubers can hardly develop. They rob each other of nutrients. The shoots that grow from such tubers usually remain very thin.
Dahlia bulbs have a lifespan of just a few years. If you have a particularly beautiful dahlia variety in your garden, you should divide it in good time to get young plants before the old tuber stops sprouting.
The best time to divide dahlia tubers
Divide dahlias in spring before planting them out. Sometimes it is advisable to take the tubers out of their winter quarters and let them grow indoors for a few days.
You can then better see which tubers are he althy. The buds are also visible on the root necks. This makes division easier.
How to divide dahlias correctly
Sharing is very easy. Either break off individual tubers or take a sharp and, above all, clean knife and cut the tuber into parts.
Make sure that there is at least one eye, or preferably several, on the root collar of each section. The new shoots will later sprout from these.
Treat cuts or breaks – yes or no?
Some gardeners recommend treating cuts and broken areas with charcoal powder to prevent diseases from establishing themselves. It's not really necessary. Only very rare varieties should be given special protection.
Planting divided georgines
- Prepare planting holes or pot
- Do not insert tubers too deep
- Fill up soil
- Approach carefully
- Water
Plant the dahlias immediately after dividing them. Otherwise the tubers will dry out too much.
Tips & Tricks
Make sure that you plant the Georgian tubers the right way up. The root necks must point upwards. Then the dahlia will bloom earlier because the shoots don't have to struggle through thick layers of soil.
