Dahlia imperialis

This 6 foot monster is from seed planted in spring 2014. Kept in a pot until this summer. Now in the ground it has gone crazy! To dig up or not to dig up, that is the question? I'm considering the possibility of mulching it well & leaving in the ground but worried it won't survive a hard frost 😕 Any suggestions or comments from anyone with any experience of these beasts would be most welcome!

You may need to be brave! Monty cut his back and brought it into the greenhouse. Depends where you are as you could cut back and mulch but that doesn't help if it's a wet winter. Your call really do you want it next year for definate? Then I'd cut it back and lift it if you have somewhere to store 🤔🤔😬

Thanks Hayley. I have clay soil, so I think you're right @hayleyaj as it won't like the wet. This will only be my 3rd winter in deepest St Helens. The last 2 have been no colder than about -6C, but I have space in my greenhouse, but I'm figuring on the tuber being humungous so a big pot will be needed! 😀

Jeff, mines clay too. I won't be risking even my std dahlia, let alone a beauty like this!! Just check if you can dry the tuber out for this rather than pot up over winter. As if you can, it's just lots of newspaper in a dark dry spot 🤔🤔😃

Jeff, have you had flowers?

Cheers @hayleyaj No flowers yet & no sign of any flower buds either. Had in a pot in the greenhouse in the last 2 winters, so I think I'll stick with that, keeping it on the dry side. I may put it out in a very big tub next spring though. We will see?

Jeff, I've read that you'll be a very lucky person to have this flower. So I'm now rooting for you and need you to bring it in over winter!! 😂😂😂😂

@hayleyaj Yes ma'am! 😁. Seriously, thanks for looking that up four me. I will dig it up for sure. May post a pic of the tuber when I do! 👍 😀

Ooh yes do need to this this giant!! 😂😂

Wow! That's impressive! 👍🏼 I may have to try one of these just for the hell of it! 😁 hope you manage to overwinter it ok - look forward to see it next year...with flower! 😊🌸

Thanks @rachelbrooks This is only 30 mths from seed, which I bought online. Worth a go just for the curiosity value, with flowers bring a bonus & yes, I've decided to mollycoddle it over winter! 😀

Electric blanket, cups of tea, whatever it wants to watch on telly...oh sorry! Thinking out loud again 😁😂 seriously...be very interested in seeing how you get on! Good luck 🍀👍🏼