Katy,
I stored mine like you did. I brought them up about a month ago and waited to see how they eyed up before dividing. They are just beginning to show well now. I divide the ones that are showing the best and leave the others for another day. This is so that I can get as many viable tubers as possible. Some are just sitting on soil and some are in pots or plastic bags with soil.

You could divide them without seeing any eyes, but there's no guarantee that they will be viable.

You are smart to think ahead as this is no small task.
Gail

Hello NH-

If you search this site, JRoot did a wonderful thread with pictures about spring dividing. Just excellent.

He makes the point, that while the tubers are more seasoned ergo harder to divide in the spring, the eyes are more obvious. So it's your call.

Read his post. Invaluably instructive.

Luc

Thanks for the reminder of jroot's great post. I have referenced it many times over the years. I know how to divide, I was just wondering about how to store then after I divide but before I plant since I can't pot many if any up this year.

Thanks!

Hi nhdalialover. In my humble opinion, if they are sprouting, they need to be potted. I don't think that dividing now, and waiting to pot later is a viable solution. Sorry about that, but Mother Nature WILL HAVE HER WAY. LOL

Many people on the Oregon coast dig their dahlias in the Spring and divide them into individual tubers and let them dry. They go "dormant" when dry and will take off and grow again when they are placed into moist soil. I just got a batch of tubers from a friend on the coast and have placed the dry tubers into moist potting soil in some pots. I am going to take a few cuttings from them and then plant them in the ground.