Dahlia - could it still be alive?

Hi,

Last year we bought a dahlia. I believe it is a dahlia "mystic spirit", which starts blooming in July. We planted it in a pot.

Before the winter, I cut everything above soil level. There has been no sign of growth since, and with it being late June I considered it dead. So I've decided to re-use the pot.

I was expecting the tubers to be decomposed. Instead, they seem to be in an OK condition. I attach a photo. I accidentally cut a couple of them while getting them out and they don't seem to be dry.

Is there a chance that the dahlia might regrow still? And where do I go from here, should I separate the tubers and plant separately? I would probably be putting them in the ground instead of pots.

Thank you.

 

Problem with dahlias is that the tubers can be healthy and intact but if the neck of the old stems gets frosted and dies there is no way it can shoot the following year.
The new buds form around where the old stems joined the tubers.

 

Thanks both.

I had put the pot in the conservatory, hoping it would be OK. But I have never had a dahlia before so I have probably done lots of mistakes.

Hmm I am not confident they will sprout based on what Pete said. I will have to think about it - I might put them in a pot with a bit of soil & water regularly for a couple more weeks just to be sure they are dead and - if they start sprouting - plant them properly.

 

Don't try splitting it, find the neck where last year's top growth came from and look for any sign of buds.