Yes, You Can Plant Dahlia Tubers Too Deep. Here's How To Do It Correctly

Is there anything more beautiful than a garden bed filled with stunning dahlia blooms? It's no wonder that these magnificent flowers are loved by gardeners all around the world. And, they're not that difficult to grow, as long as you get the planting depth right and give the plants just a little attention while they're developing. When it's time to pop your dahlia tubers into the ground or plant them in a pretty decorative pot, bear in mind that it is possible to bury them too deep. You also want to ensure they're not planted too shallow and remember that planting dahlia tubers vertically is a big mistake. They should be planted horizontally, just like sweet potatoes.

But, don't let all of this deter you from growing gorgeous dahlias in your garden. With just a little know-how, you'll be absolutely fine and can relish the enjoyment those glorious blooms will give you all summer long. As a general rule, the tubers should be planted 4 to 6 inches deep to ensure success. (Plus, you'll want to find the best place to plant dahlias for stunning blooms.) Before we go into the correct planting technique, let's take a moment to understand why planting the tubers too deep can be a problem.

Each tuber contains just enough energy or food storage to grow the little green sprouts that poke through the surface of the soil, as well as a few initial roots. The plant then needs to use this new growth and the sun's rays to manufacture more energy for the roots to continue growing and feeding the plant. If the tubers are planted too deep, the energy contained within might just get used up before the shoot can break through the soil. When this happens, the tuber will rot and you'll end up with no plants. Or, you might end up with a small plant but no flowers. Essentially, it's all about the energy reserves held in the tuber which is why smallish ones should be planted around 4 inches deep while larger ones can go as deep as 6 inches.

It's best to plant your tubers in slightly damp soil and avoid watering directly after planting because they can rot quite easily. In fact, you should refrain from watering until the plants are at least 4 inches high. Depending on how tall your particular varieties are going to get, you might want to explore ways to prevent dahlias from drooping with a few simple staking methods. If you follow these easy tips, your dahlias will reward you with outstanding blooms every time.