Dahlia Tuber Inspection 101
Dahlia tubers arriving in the mail? Cue the happy hour dahlia yuber dance! But once the thrill slows down, it’s time to get practical. As exciting as it is to receive these goofy flower potatoes, it’s super important to inspect your dahlia tubers right away. Because here’s the thing: if a tuber isn’t viable, it won’t grow—no matter how much love, compost, or sweet-talking you give it.
So how do you make sure your tubers are ready to grow into gorgeous, blooming machines? Let’s break it down.
First—Know Your Dahlia Tuber Anatomy
Before you start poking and prodding your tubers, it helps to know what you’re looking at. If you’re new to dahlias or need a refresher, check out our Dahlia Tuber Anatomy post. It’ll make the rest of this process make a whole lot more sense.
Next: Open That Package!
Whether you bought a tuber from us or another grower, the first thing to do is open your package immediately. Dahlia tubers are living plant material, and they need proper conditions to stay viable. Plus, most suppliers (us included) have a timeframe for reporting issues. That’s not to be mean or unreasonable—it’s just that tubers need to be stored well, and suppliers can’t be responsible for what happens after delivery if they’re not checked in time. The sooner they’re checked, the better suppliers will be able to help if there are any issues.
Also, you get to say hello to your new little garden babies!
Finally: Inspect Dahlia Tubers Before You Plant
Seriously, put down the potting soil. Do not plant or pot up your tubers before performing your dahlia tuber inspection. Once a tuber is in the ground (or a pot), most refund or replacement policies—ours included—are no longer valid unless there’s a different issue like incorrect variety.
So before you get your hands dirty, follow the checklist below. This is the exact process we use to inspect dahlia tubers on our own farm.
Your 13-Step Dahlia Tuber Inspection Checklist
- Open your package immediately.
Tubers are often shipped in storage mediums like wood shavings, vermiculite, or peat moss. These help regulate moisture, but fluctuating temps during transit can still cause condensation. Let those babies breathe. - Note how the tubers are labeled.
Some growers label individual tubers, some label bags, and some use codes (e.g. P0198 = Valley Tawny). Check the packing slip and don’t toss it just yet. - Confirm your order is correct.
Make sure the varieties you ordered match what was sent. Mistakes happen and catching them early is key. - Acknowledge the weirdness.
Remember that dahlia tubers are a product of nature. They are not perfectly identical, mass-produced products, nor would we want them to be! They come in many shapes and sizes, store differently, wake up at different times, and honestly, some of them are downright bizarre (those are my husband’s favorite—seriously, he saves the really ugly ones🤪). Embrace the weird. - Check for firmness.
Tubers should feel firm and plump—like a raw potato. Slight shriveling is fine. Totally dried out? Not fine. A little soft? Also fine. Mushy? Absolutely not. - Inspect for a viable neck and eye.
The tuber should have an intact neck and at least one eye. Sometimes eyes are actively growing, other times they are tiny or hard to see. (See examples in the Dahlia Tuber Anatomy post). We typically mark them for you unless they are super obvious. If an eye broke off during shipping, don’t panic—it will still grow just fine (we try and leave them, but some suppliers even remove them to avoid unnecessary concern). - Assess size.
A tuber should be roughly the size of a AAA battery. Unlike corms and bulbs, tuber size doesn’t determine plant quality or size, but it does need enough stored energy to grow. - Everything look good?
Skip ahead to Step 12! 🎉 If not, don’t panic—read on. - Take a photo of the issue.
Natural light works best. Suppliers will usually want a picture, and even if they don’t, it helps them help you faster. - Don’t plant yet!
Email the supplier before doing anything with the tuber. Most policies require this step for eligibility on refunds or replacements. - Reach out with info.
Include your order number, a quick explanation, and the photo. Be kind! (You can roast me if it’s my fault—but be nice to the rest of the flower people😅). Most of us are small operations, and we truly want you to be happy. Grace and good vibes go a long way. - Label your tubers.
Make sure you label your tubers. We prefer to label each one on the actual tuber (permanent marker is fine). Even if they’re in labeled bins, this helps avoid mix-ups later. - Store or plant, depending on your weather.
Not sure if it’s time to plant yet? Check out our post I Got My Dahlia Tubers—Now What? for tips on planting and storage based on your climate.
Final Thoughts
A dahlia tuber inspection might not be as thrilling as watching them bloom, but it’s one of the most important parts of the growing journey. A quick check now can save you a ton of heartache later, and make sure every tuber you plant has the best shot at thriving.
If something seems off, reach out. We’re always here to help, and we genuinely want you to love your dahlias as much as we do.
Happy growing, frands 🌸
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