In many modern houses there are no cellars anymore or there are only converted rooms. They are too warm to store dahlia tubers in winter. To overwinter your georgines, you need to look for alternatives.
How do I overwinter dahlias without a cellar?
To overwinter dahlias without a basement, store the tubers in cool, dry rooms such as a frost-free attic, cool greenhouse, dry garage or garden shed with a frost guard. Make sure that enough air can circulate between the tubers.
Overwinter dahlias in cool, dry rooms
The ideal wintering temperature for dahlias is between four and eight degrees. If it gets warmer, the georgines sprout too early.
As an alternative to the basement, rooms that are as dry and cool as possible are ideal:
- Frost-free attic
- Cool Greenhouse
- Dry Garage
- Garden house with frost monitor (€27.00 on Amazon)
Do not store the tubers too close together. Air must be able to circulate between the dahlia bulbs to prevent the bulbs from rotting or molding.
Overwintering dahlias in a pot
Some hobby gardeners have successfully tried to overwinter dahlias in pots. The pots must be kept as cool as possible and the georgines may only be given a little water now and then.
The risk that the dahlia bulbs will start to rot in the ground is very high.
If you still want to give it a try, only overwinter dahlias in the pot that you don't particularly care about. Then a loss is easier to cope with.
Overwintering dahlias outside
Overwintering dahlias outside can work in certain circumstances. In mild winters, the Georgian tubers do not freeze if they are well protected.
Unfortunately, you don't know beforehand how cold the winter will be. You should therefore dig up particularly beautiful dahlia varieties beforehand and overwinter in a cool, frost-free place.
Tips & Tricks
If you overwinter your dahlias without a cellar, it is important to check the tubers regularly. Mold and rot are contagious. Break off infected tubers and throw them away.
