Size only matters if you're sending a one lb Copper River Salmon instead of the 10 pound lunker the recipient is drooling about in their dreams... : )

Tuber sizes vary by variety, some are round and short, some are long and thin, some are Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers candidates. I imagine the growing season variables can affect tuber size and production along with plant nutrition. I dug up what is usually a massive fat tuber, like a big baking potato in typical years, and they are half their usual girth. Easier to store! We had a very slow start and 'weird' weather season this year; so I am eager to continue digging and see what I get.

One thing to be careful with are those with very skinny necks on the business/eye end. Handle with care so as not to break or bend and hope they stay well during storage. It can be done, but a little thicker tuber neck is more durable.

Does size matter? Hmmmm .... depends what you are talking about. LOL

I usually look for the tubers with the larger girth, and as Poochella says, the essential thing is the maintenance of the "eye". No eye = no dahlia. I usually just cut off those long stringy things, but I look at them carefully ( with MY feeble eyes). Often as not, they are merely food storage tubers..... but not always.

Interestingly enough, my favourite dinnerplate dahlia had the smallest rounded tubers. I was quite surprised.

Does size matter? ... yes and no... I hope that doesn't confuse you too much. Look for the "eyes". That is what matters.

Jroot,
The "eyes" definitely have it.
I'm guessing that your small tuber/large bloom dahlia is Kelvin Floodlight.

You guessed it right, Bernie.

Pardon the blur, but arranged these tubers to show some varying sizes and shapes; Decent tubers are the 4 on the right. Double tuber could not be cut apart safely so will be stored that way- it's less than desirable in thinness, but worth a try. Most at risk is the skinny one on the far left: thin neck prone to breakage, rot, shrinkage if dried too long. I will still try to save it and see what happens. What have I got to lose?
{{gwi:664513}}

Great! I can see from the paper towel the approx. size, and mine aren't a whole lot smaller. I feel better about trading tubers that are smaller than the "baker" size I sometimes receive from the commercial growers. Thanks for the effort, Puchella. I've been dividing every night and will have trade stock/inventory ready by weekend!

clay