In general, you could have just planted them...they would have probably grown just fine.

Hi Karen

that trick has worked for me sometimes as well.

I doubt that it would have kept growing if just left alone, I'd say, rotted completely seems more likely.

I've read that you can just let the fresh cut dry for a while, another suggestion was cinamon as it seems to work as an anti-fungal or - germ or whatever.

Did not test it myself or research it, but could be.

well, have a nice Dahlia season, bye, Lin