Dahlia Grab Bag

POLICIES:

This listing is for mystery tubers and clumps. They will not be labeled. Clumps are imported and can be divided on receipt (if desired). All tubers/clumps will ship with eyes sprouted.

You are purchasing dahlia tubers, not dahlia plants/flowers. Resembling mini potatoes of all different shapes & sizes, tubers are not pretty, and we cannot exchange tubers because you do not like their appearance. Some important notes on natural tuber characteristics & our policies:

• SIZE: As long as your dahlia is larger than an AA battery, and develops an eye, it will be viable. A smaller tuber and a larger tuber will both produce the same size plant, and the same size flowers. The size of the tuber does not correlate to the size of the flowers or the number of flowers your plant will have. Please note that if you ordered Caramel Antique, these tubers are all long and skinny by nature. 
• COLOR & SURFACE: Coloration, discoloration, and the surface of your tubers can and will vary. The soil the tubers grew in can play a role in this and sometimes the surfaces are rough and flakey, sometimes they are missing the outer surface, sometimes they are dark in areas. As long as your tuber is firm and not mushy, or hollow like a husk, that tuber is considered viable and should grow in your garden.
• (DE)HYDRATION: Some dehydration is normal. If your tubers look shriveled, give them a spritz of water and make sure they stay in the bedding they were shipped in with the bag open so they can breathe until it's time to plant. If you're in an area where it's beyond your last frost date, you can plant them immediately. They will rehydrate once they are in moist (but not sopping wet) soil. If you are in a colder region (I'm in Zone 7 and planting mine late April/early May) then you can pot them up in small pots of moist potting soil until it's time to plant them in the ground. Do not over water them! Do not plant them if you have multiple days of rain in the near forecast. Once planted, let them be until you see green sprouts showing above the soil surface and then you can lightly water.
• EYES: Eyes are not always easily identifiable, but I have only chosen dahlias I believe have viable eyes that will sprout. From what I've seen on these different varieties we offered, many of the eyes sprout in different places and look different from variety to variety. If I packed it up, I believe it to be good.
• CLUMPS: One clump will yield the same amount of flowers as one tuber, which is why they are separated into single tubers. We have mostly divided into single tubers, however do not be alarmed if your divided tuber is a small grouping of tubers. If you're receiving a little group, it's because I only saw one eye when I packed it. If you receive it, and it has two eyes, it may be possible for you to divide it into two should you choose. Make sure you let the cut cure 2-3 days before you plant it.
• VARIATION: Keep in mind that all plants are different and will grow eyes, sprout, grow, bloom, etc, at different rates. Just because one of the same variety has sprouted doesn't mean the other is bad, it just means it most likely needs more time. If you dig down to inspect it, be aware that you may harm or damage new growth coming up that you cannot see.
• HARDINESS: Dahlias can grow anywhere in the US - zones 2-7 lift after first frost. Zones 7/8-11 perennial, divide as needed.
• RETURNS & REFUNDS: If your tuber doesn't sprout growth by end of July, please send us photos to request a credit toward next year's tuber purchase. Given that everyone has different levels of understanding on the nature of tubers, we know there are different opinions on what is viable or not, and we’ve only sent out tubers that I consider to be viable and would plant in my own garden. We cannot offer refunds for the natural characteristics discussed above. We unfortunately cannot be responsible for plant failure or rot due to pests (i.e voles, rabbits, deer, slugs, cucumber beetles, etc), overwatering, neglect, or weather conditions. 
• MISMARKED TUBERS: We make every effort to control the labeling on our tubers however sometimes mistakes happen. Thank you for your patience.
• Mystery tubers and other color bundles will NOT be labelled (hence the word Mystery!)

Dahlias are winter hardy in zones 8-11, but in zones 3-7 they should be dug up after the last frost and stored for replanting. Pinch at 8-12" and tie to a stake as needed to prevent toppling.