Looks like you did your homework, Terri, and chaffing at the bit to start growing! We all wish you the best, through the ups and downs.

Couple things...

Beware of putting too much moisture into the pot while roots are forming. Tubers drown quite easily while dormant- slightly damp soil is the best until you see lots of growth.

Try time-release pellets for fertilizer. Don't count on an organic soil mix to deliver enough nutrients to your growing baby.

You can set in a baby tomato cage for support, which is probably the only thing that would work in a 12" pot. That was sufficient with the potted dahlias I grew at one point... They just didn't get full size for me with out-of-ground pots.

Even if this 'baby' doesn't do well, don't give up on dahlias! A raised bed is a great way to go next year!

Thank you so much for the advice! I have been Googling and researching like crazy to get as much information as possible to be successful!

I won't give up, no matter the outcome of this year. I am determined to have a garden (and pots) full of beautiful dahlias! I may be wrong about the 12" being self-watering.

I was worrying about the "baby" yesterday and inspected the pot. There is no place to put water in at the bottom. I then discovered that there were punch places for drainage. I went ahead and punched them. The bottom flooded out. So it may not be self watering. I then gently uncovered her in hopes that I didn't drown her. She didn't feel soaked.

There was a little new growth on the sprout and a couple of others that look like they may have tiny srpouts on them. The soil feels moist but not soaked. I wont water again until she breaks ground.

I planted 3 of the pom pon tubers today. I am a little worried about 2 of them. The first, I can't see any eyes on, I placed it in an empty pot with some soil to see if it does sprout. I am not confident enough in my ability to see the eyes yet, so I don't want to give up just in case. I am wondering if I should spritz it with water to see if that encourages growth. The seond is a large tuber that already has one srout coming off the main stem. On one of the tubers, there appears to be some damage. The end of the tuber looks like it was waterlogged at one point and feels hollow. I could see the eyes on that one for sure, the are all near the damaged tuber. I planted her and will watch to see what happens. Maybe there will be new tubers near that patch of eyes and I can divide safely this fall or next spring.

I am going to go and Google how to use my cuttings to make new plants. I may need to stock up on more containers.

Thank you again! I am sure I will be back with more questions!

Hi Terri,

I also like west of Asheville. Have you looked into the Carolina Dahlia Society? They are having a growing and propagating dahlias meeting on April 14 at Bullington Gardens. I know you have already started your tubers this year but it may be helpful to get some input in other methods of growing and dividing.

Tim

Thank you! I am going to look up the event now!

Terri

Hi Terri! I live in CT and I give my "babies" some manure and cover them with a dressing of mulch when planted in the ground. I have also planted in cleaned out milk or water gallons with the top 1/4 or so cut off. If you have some long fallen tree branches, take 3 of the same height and use some ribbon to loosely tie these for support. Be sure they are in full sun on the Eastern exposure. You can feed with Miracle Grow every other week as directed on container to keep your "baby" blooming. I would love to see pictures when "baby" blooms and we can exchange tubers if you would like when the growing season is over. Enjoy! Sincerely, Mary

Just plant your tubers as instructed and trust that they have the eyes for a stem or two of growth. Although some people germinate seeds in a way that they can see them, part of the wonder of planting non-food plants is to see it peeking out of the ground and growing into some big and magnificent by the end of the season.

Thank you! My babies are certainly growing now! My Tropical is on its 3rd leaf set and my pon poms are about 10 inches high with laterals started! I am photographing every week and keeping a diary for them. I am going to start feeding now that they are established. Mary, I never thought about using branches from around here. Purslanegarden, I love checking everyday to see what has changed!

Any update Terri? Pls send us pictures,

I planted two tubers this year as my first go at it and am thrilled to say that one finally sprouted above ground! What have you been using to feed them once yours started growing?

Kelley. Boise. ID

Hi Kelley you can feed them every other week with Miraclegrow, but make sure the water is a pale blue in the gallon of water. These will grow at lightening speed. My plants are 5 -6' tall. Take lots of photos and enjoy these beauties! If anyone would like to exchange tubers, I would be happy to!

Sincerely Mary in Ct

Hi, Kelley!
I have only fed once so far. I used Miracle Grow Bloom Booster, which is 18-24-16. I used one scoop per gallon of water. I got some residue on my leaves after doing that so when I feed again this week I am going to put just 1 scoop in my 2gal watering can.

I am so excited! I check every day and hopefully will have my first bloom this week! Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. :)

This is my Dahlia Tropical. She is at 6 leaf sets now. Planted 3/21/15. I need to pinch her but I am unsure if I should let her go or not. :) Her laterals are coming in. Hopefully by next month I will have blooms!
This one is a sprout that I cut from my Tropical. She rooted (YAY!) and is growing quickly! Her I will definitely pinch off.
This guy is a Semi-cactus veritable that I rescued from Big Lots. The main shoot was wrapped about the clump and I just planted afraid to hurt the guy. The center broke off but started sprouting from the laterals. The aphids wouldn't leave the new growth alone so I pinched off at 6 leaf sets. I am seeing lateral laterals and hopefully this guy will bloom for me. He will purple and lime.
This is my big guy! These are mixed pom poms. There are 3 in that container. (I will not do that again next year!) The tall one is not pinched. He is going to be the first to bloom. The one on the right is pinched and has thick laterals coming in. The one in the front was just pinched. I hope the big one will not steal all the energy and soon I will get a ton of blooms to enjoy!
And finally........MY FIRST BLOOM!!!!!!!! :):):):)

Very nice Terry! What type of dahlia is your first bud? Congatuslations!

Hi, Mary! My first bloom is part of a pom pom mix. :)