Winter tuber storage

calico20hill · 2023-12-31T00:08:04+00:00

I just did a quick check on my tubers and I am encouraged. No whiff of mold, no wrinkles, and these were small tubers that would not necessarily store well...

SteveM

Teddahlia storing tubers in the ground can cause other considerations. My father swore that tubers obtained from Southern growers (like myself) took longer to sprout compared to tubers procured from Northern growers. A biologist told him it was because the tubers needed to convert the starches to sugars before they could sprout and exposure to cold temperatures was one factor that did this conversion in tubers. This was in the 1980's when I was considering selling tubers. I decided on cut flowers instead so never researched it further to determine the necessary time and temperatures needed or other factors (like length of storage) that would also affect the tuber sugar content. There is probably research that has been done since then that provides the answers and is something I will have to study if I ever sell tubers.

Bessie

SteveM the sugar theory of tubers waking up reminded me of a very old post I made regarding a research study that showed 1% or 8% sucrose was effective in breaking seed potato dormancy. However, I actually think warm temperatures contributes the most to breaking dormancy.
https://forum.dahliaaddict.com/d/7-general-dahlia-chat-2023/460

Teddahlia

Getting close to the end of the tuber dividing. I have not stabbed or cut myself in about a week. The worst stab this year was to the "meat" of my left thumb. The tips of the bonsai scissors are sharp and the wound was a clean jab. It was sore for a few days but no infection. I wish an old friend whom I have not seen for long time would grab my hand to shake it. My "tuber dividing grip" is quite impressive.

DarcyD

Teddahlia
I bought some of those chefs gloves. But of course haven’t worn them because I like to feel what I’m working with, well and they’re annoying. 🤦🏻‍♀️

KitCMC

DarcyD I’ve considered of getting some type of glove for my non-dominant hand. Sounds like they’re awkward?

Krista

I purchased these for when I have folks over to split tubers — I can’t live with the possibility of sending someone to the hospital from my own house. Admittedly, I don’t wear them myself mostly because they’re one more thing to disinfect between clumps, and when cold and wet they’re not very comfortable.

katyaker

After a trip to the emergency room last year to have my little finger stitched up and having 3 weeks of down time, I found these gloves at Coastal Farm and Ranch: https://classicrope.com/Details/High%20Performance%20Roping%20Glove/CPCGLOVEWHXL

They come in a large range of sizes and you get 6 gloves for around $25. No more cuts on my non-dominant hand. They are a little slippery which is why I only use them on my non-dominant hand, which is the one I cut the most often.

I also found these little cut-resistant finger tip protectors: https://www.amazon.com/Resistant-Protector-Protectors-Protection-Sculpture/dp/B0937LZK25/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6
Haven't tried them yet. Hoping they will work on my dominant hand thumb, which is where I get the second most cuts while dividing.

KitCMC

katyaker thanks for sharing!

Teddahlia

Are you using bonsai scissors or chainsaws to divide the tubers? Oops, I meant to say knives not chainsaw. 😳Allen of Allen's Dahlias uses an electric bandsaw that would slice off entire fingers or hands.

katyaker

Teddahlia I use Felco's, curved stainless steel snips and a razor sharp utility knife. The utility knife did me in last year. Just one little slip. I do have a friend who divides his tubers with a bandsaw. He has been doing it for decades and still has all his fingers.

SteveM

One year I broke my arm just before digging season and couldn't hold tubers in my left hand to divide them. I bought an electric jigsaw and held the tubers between my thighs to divide them. I divided 2000+ clumps this way and was very fortunate to not have a single slip. I don't recommend this method.

Juliarugula

SteveM that sounds terrifying. 😳

KitCMC

SteveM Juliarugula it really does

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