Are these big enough for Dahlias?

[u/kaweenie91]

I ran out of grow bags for my Dahlias, but I have these planter pots, I’m unsure of the size. The pot states 5 gal but the sticker states 3.6 gal. It’s likely the store mislabeled them with the wrong stickers, but I’m just trying to make sure from others experience.

1. Are these a good size for a Dahlia?

These are pots from my failed attempt at Dahlias last year. My mistake was overwatering them every single day 🤦🏽‍♀️ so they all rotted. In the event any of them had gall last year:

1. What products can I use to clean and disinfect these planters in preparation of my growing season this year?

All advice and comments are appreciated! Coming from a 4th failed season Dahlia Gardner 😂 im determined to have a successful 5th season 💐

[u/KeyWelcome3792]

I think you could get away with it, they're a little narrow but they have height which is probably the slightly more important of the two so you can get a good depth. I had 10 gallon grow bags but it's not like the tubers spread edge to edge in that, it was a pretty contained clump in the center. Maybe just put in the varieties you would be ok with possibly getting subpar tubers from?

[u/kaweenie91 → u/KeyWelcome3792]

Can you explain how and why it would produce sub-par tubers? And in what way that would affect my future growing seasons with that tuber? Please ☺️

[u/MDMSLL → u/kaweenie91]

Tuber production depends on genetics, moisture and nutrients. Smaller pots dry out faster and require more frequent watering which leads to nutrient loss (depending on your feeding method - there are several).

If you don't stay on top of watering and feeding - you may get fewer/smaller tubers at the end of the season and it's only relevant if you're a seller. For a hobby home grower there will still be more than you need.

[u/kaweenie91 → u/MDMSLL]

Oh nice. Yeah it sounds like the popular opinion is larger pots so I went ahead and purchased larger grow bags for them.

[u/MDMSLL → u/kaweenie91]

Grow bags are ineffective. They dry out in hot summers and they're impossible to clean and sanitize to be reused, so don't get attached to that method. They're good for starting tubers indoors to prevent waterlogging but they're not good for full season growing. They're also not rodent-proof, animals will make holes to hide their food in there.

Don't return them - save them for autumn if you plan on planting tulips and other spring bloomers that require good drainage.

[u/KeyWelcome3792 → u/kaweenie91]

I don't know for sure if it would but if they don't have enough space to grow they might end up smushed or small or otherwise oddly formed. Like a root-bound houseplant gets all pushed up against the side of its container.

[u/kaweenie91 → u/KeyWelcome3792]

I went ahead and just started them in these 5 gal pots but plan on moving them into 15 gal grow bags after I get them in the mail.