Dahlia tubers

I had quite a few dahlias growing in pots etc last year, and they were pretty slow to die back presumably due to the mild, wet weather - I have also been very remiss, and shoved all the planters into a corner that was sheltered from the wind (to stop them blowing away in the storms), and there they have remained.

This evening whilst I was out pulling a couple of leeks, I decided to pull a dahlia out to see what the tuber was like - it seems chunky and healthy enough, so I will clean it off tomorrow and get it dusted with sulphur before pulling any more up. However, the stem still felt quite firm and 'green' if you know what I mean? Should I leave the stem on until it dies back any further, or should I whip it off?

 

You'll need to keep an inch or two of stem, any more I'd cut it off - it's going to die away at some point anyway.

 

Thanks John

I have this feeling that I am going to be over-run with dahlias this year.....

 

I'll check that when I cut them - they don't feel hollow, but I suppose there is no way to tell.