Storing tubers in sawdust....

[lesa]

I have always used peat moss for this purpose, however, I have a lot of saw dust available to me, for free. It is dry and "clean"... any reason I shouldn't use this for my tubers? I have dahlia's, canna's, and elephant ears. I have just learned that you can store elephant ears, wrapped in newspaper ( I think I will try half and half.)

 

[RustyDHart]

Hi lesa, I've never used saw dust....I do use Pine shavings...the ones used for livestock bedding. As long as the saw dust is dry and not from a Walnut tree....you should be fine. I wash the tubers off...freeing them from extra dirt and no bugs/worms are hiding in the nooks and crannys.....and then I let them air dry, label each clump/tuber and store them at about 45 degrees......has worked for me for years.....just don't leave the door open like I did......!:/ I just finished digging all of mine....and it's snowing like crazy today.....I finished just in time. Again....hope it works for you..... This is "Surprise"...again.....wanted to share again....this is one of my favorites.

 

[lesa]

Lovely! I can't resist an experiment (especially with free stuff!) so I will let you know the outcome. When I dug my dahlia's I noticed the clumps had become huge. Any way to separate them?

 

[RustyDHart]

Yes....You only need "ONE" tuber with at least one eye to produce a plant. Congested tubers in a clump that are planted give you several crowded stems and smaller flowers. I cut the plant stocks down to about 6 in. from the ground....after washing and drying....I carefully seperate the tubers from the main stock(s). If you break the "necks" of the tubers or bend them from the crown of the tuber......the tuber is obsolete. Only the crown or head of the tuber connected to the main stem produces the eyes. Look for eyes and carefully seperate them from the stems/stocks. You may break some seperating them....we all make some sacrifices.....it happens. You should have seen me seperating 3,000 lbs. of tubers last year......I was ready for some new medication.... Hope this helps you? Let us know, Rusty