Dahlia tuber FAqs

Thank you for your order. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about dahlia tubers! 

I received my tubers but I’m not ready to plant them. What should I do with them?

We try to send dahlia tubers when it is appropriate to plant them in your area. That being said, you might receive your order before you are ready to plant. You can leave your tubers in the compostable bags they came in, making sure to open the bag slightly so that humidity doesn’t build up and lead to mold/rot. Leave your tubers in a cool, dark space until you are ready to plant. Check in on them every week or so to make sure they aren’t drying out or developing mold. To get a jump on the growing season, you can also start your tubers in a pot indoors and transplant out to their final location at a later date. 

I don’t see a sprout. Does that mean my tuber doesn’t have an eye?

If you don’t see a sprout on your tuber it doesn’t mean that the tuber doesn’t have an eye. We store our tubers at 50*F and different varieties take shorter/longer to “eye up” – some even up to four weeks.  We inspect our tubers multiple times before shipping and guarantee that each tuber has an eye. Please use this form if you would like to submit a claim for an eyeless tuber.

What does an eye look like?

It’s important to know that an “eye” and a “sprout” are two different things. Many people are concerned that their tuber doesn’t have an eye when they don’t see a sprout. Eyes look like small black or white bumps, and, similar to a potato, the sprout will develop from this spot. See pictures below for some examples of eyes and sprouts.

My tuber had a sprout but it fell off. Is my tuber still ok? 

The sprouts on a tuber can be fragile and fall off. Try your best to keep the sprout attached and facing upward when planting. However, if the sprout breaks off it will grow back again.

My tuber is a little wrinkly. Will it grow?

Dahlia storage can be tricky! Too humid and they will mold/rot; too dry and they will start to shrivel. Some varieties, too, are just harder to store. Here at Fivefork we strive to grow and only send out quality tubers from our stock. We want you to be as successful as we are at growing dahlias so we promise to not send you anything we wouldn’t plant ourselves. As long as the tuber has an eye it will grow. If you are unhappy with the quality of your tuber, please let us know by submitting a claim. 

My tuber feels soft. Is it ok? 

We strive to only send out the best tubers that we know will grow. Hopefully a rotting tuber does not make it off the farm. It’s important that you inspect your tubers when they arrive so you can let us know if anything feels wrong. A tuber should not be so squishy that your finger can go thru it. If the tuber has a little give, it will still grow as long as there is an eye. 

What if I find mold on my tubers?

Surface mold on tubers may develop during shipping and should not overly concern you. You can use a Lysol wipe or a 10% vinegar/water solution to wipe off the mold. Make sure to let the tuber surface dry before returning it to storage. 

What do I do if my tuber doesn’t sprout?

Some varieties take longer to eye/sprout than others. Given the right conditions, tubers usually sprout within 6 weeks of planting. If you see no signs of growth from your tuber after 6 weeks, carefully dig up the tuber to see what’s going on under the ground. If the tuber is still intact, do not throw the tuber away. Please send us photo documentation of what you are seeing. Fivefork Farms cannot be held responsible for tubers rotting after planting. If needed, replacement tubers will be sent out as inventory allows until July 1, 2025. If replacement tubers of the same variety are not available, we will provide you with a similar variety/color, refund, or credit towards future tuber purchases. All tuber issues/concerns must be reported by September 1, 2025. We cannot honor tuber replacements or refunds after September 1. Our replacement policy is limited to the purchase price of the tubers only; shipping costs are nonrefundable. We will not issue any replacements or refunds without proper photo documentation. 

How do I care for tubers after planting?

Please see our “Dahlia Growing Guide” for more information on caring for your dahlias after planting.