WHEN YOUR PACKAGE ARRIVES
Bring your box inside, open it up and carefully remove all of your goodies, making sure to handle them gently and protect their necks. Double check your packing slip to make sure your order is correct - you'll likely find some gifts in there, too!
Next, open up your baggies and let your tubers breathe. They were packed with a bit of vermiculite to maintain humidity levels and protect them during shipping, and it is important to open them after shipping to neutralize any excess moisture.
WHAT SHOULD A TUBER LOOK LIKE?
Tubers come in all shapes and sizes. Even the smallest tubers produce the most beautiful flowers- don't worry about tiny tubers!
Your tubers will have a crown, at least one eye, a neck and a body. Tubers vary a lot in size, texture, color and shape but all will have those characteristics.
Some tubers wake up quickly in spring and show their eyes right away, and others need a little more time. We promise that all of the tubers we packed have eyes and will all grow beautiful flowers for you if cared for correctly. If you can't see the eye and are stressing, please send us an email and we'll help.
STORING YOUR TUBERS UNTIL PLANTING TIME
If your tubers arrive before your soil temperature is 55-60 degrees, it will be important for you to store them properly until planting time, or get them going indoors in pots. Keeping them naked in the plastic bag for weeks may lead to them shriveling or dying completely.
Since we are in Wisconsin and ship out mid-spring, you will likely receive your tubers from us within a month of planting time. In that case, it works well to get them sprouting indoors. The simplest way to do that is to plant them in a pot, horizontally and about 4" deep, and put them in a warm sunny window. They will start to wake up, and it will give them a bit of a jump start once they get outside.
Proper care for your tubers will help ensure a productive, healthy, and gorgeous growing season!
Check out tips for next steps at PLANTING YOUR DAHLIA TUBERS