Starting tubers early indoors

dahlia1972 · 2023-04-10T19:56:35+00:00

Because I have such a short growing season here in Rhode Island, I'm starting my tubers in pots indoors this year. I've planted them in 3 inch pots with 1/4...

KitCMC

Krista yup! I just followed the instructions on the bag. If I remember correctly you mix the bits with water and let them sit for 30 min, then saturate the soil. Repeat every 7 (5?) days for a total of three treatments. I also used the yellow sticky cards to trap adults.

Krista

Bessie KitCMC Thank you! I’ve got mosquito bits arriving tomorrow and yellow sticky traps set for tonight. Thank you for these suggestions - I’d never heard of mosquito bits before!

Bessie

Krista I used a similar product to mosquito bites, called mosquito dunks which are made for ponds. As my second attempt to kill the gnats, the soaking of the bits was a real pain, and leaves a messy granular by-product. After researching, it took a while to figure out a product with the active ingredient of Spinosad. It's an amazing product ( the Monterey Spray) that works really well. It's approved for organic growing use! It's very convenient to mix up a batch. I seem to remember it has a 3 week residual effect. I sprayed the surfaces of the potted up dahlias, then if eggs are laid, the larva encounters that top soil and are killed by ingesting the Spinosad. I hate to use pesticides, but this product is essential.

Krista

Bessie This is a great help, I appreciate you explaining the chemicals involved - I also have a desire to keep my gardening organic. I believe I may have a couple of Monterey products unopened in our crawl space so I’ll see if I have the one you’re mentioning - jst spraying the surface of the potted plants sounds conveniently mess-free! I’ll give my new Mosquito Bits a whirl first and if I need to go for another round, having these suggestions is wonderful, thank you to you and @KitCMC !

PNWGal

Krista When the leaves curl down like that in pot-started dahlias, I have found it was because they wanted more light. Maybe they are feeling crowded?

Krista

PNWGal Thank you very much, this is so helpful, they are relatively close to one another so I’ll spread them out right away! Thank you!

Krista

PNWGal This advice was the charm, thank you! Leaves are uncurling and plants look beautiful!

PegMc

I have a tuber that has been in house for gosh, 3-4 weeks I noticed a long split in the skin and made sure that I kept that exposed, but also have the tail of it in a 4" pot. It has finally eyed up and has two shoots that are roughly 1.5" ... and it has roots. Now the problem is, the rot that I was worried about is taking hold. Do I cut it apart or do I trust that the roots will keep doing their thing to keep the shoots growing, enough to plant it? Thoughts?

Teddahlia

Do I cut it apart? Remove rot; we are dahlia surgeons.

Krista

I just received a last-minute order of a stack of 1020 trays and 2” nursery pots to take me to the finish line of this stage in dahlia growing. My indoor sprouted plants are large enough that they’re spaced out all over my dining room. Without more trays, carrying 100+ individual nursery pots outdoors to harden off was going to be a pretty time consuming project. 🤣 And bringing in a few sleeves of 2” pots pushed me into free shipping and will set me up for cutting season 2024!

Bessie

@SteveM I remember your gnat control chemical of choice is Bacillus thurengiensis israeliensis.
I am looking for a wettable powder but all I find on Amazon is Mosquitoe Bits. Can you recommend a better source (powder) for the larvaecide?
SUMMIT CHEMICAL CO 117-6 30OZ Mosquito Bits https://a.co/d/7W0Nmge

SteveM

Bessie I buy small quantities of Gnatrol here:

https://www.organicbti.com/gnatrol

Flowernut

Bessie I use the mosquito bits by placing in water (for a period of time) and allowing them to create a solution that I then use to spray my pre started tubers. I also place the bits on top of my potting mix so each time I spray with water, they continue to release the 'good stuff'.

Bessie

SteveM thank you! I just purchased one ounce which will mix to be many gallons of solution to treat the soil.

SteveM

Bessie I think the directions said something like use once a week for three weeks.

Bessie

SteveM since Bacillus thurengiensis israeliensis is a bacteria, I keep thinking I could get the bacteria to multiply in water using a sugar solution. Basically a "grow your own" solution using a small starter inoculation. We all know how easy all kinds of contaminants grow in water. The problem is testing the theory. I don't think my little hand held microscope is powerful enough to see bacteria. At this point, counting hatching fungus gnats in an experimental setup doesn't sound like fun when I have so many other tasks to attend to.

Bessie

Flowernut I've used the mosquito bits (actually the dunks) but have not been consistent in applying.😨
Good idea of spraying the tubers. I'm gonna use that idea. As well, a soil surface treatment will help.

MIDahlias

I'm getting ready to pot up tubers with children 3-5yrs old. I usually use a spiless medium. The school has enough potting soil left over from winter sowing and seed planting to start tubers. The soil has fertilizer or something in it that feeds plants for 9 months.

Is potting soil OK to use? It says wet longer so I'm a little concerned. Also should I be concerned about the fertilizer?

I would like to use what we have, but if it's a bad idea, please let me know.

Flowernut

MIDahlias I use Paonia Soil Co. "Featherweight Champion". It is a coconut coir based potting soil. It does have some goodies mixed in, but I wouldn't use anything else. Some potting soils are very heavy, so if you want to use what you have on hand, maybe add some cocount coir to lighten up the mixture. I can't comment on the added fertilier in your mix.

MIDahlias

Flowernut
Heavy is a good way to describe potting soil. When wet it's heavier than other mediums.

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