Tuber Rot on a Dahlia

Causes

• Tuber rot on a Dahlia is caused by fungi that thrive in overly wet soils. Although Dahlias need rich, moist soil to bloom well, soil that is too wet will encourage fungi growth. This is especially true in cold, wet soil. For that reason, the soil around Dahlia should be kept just barely moist to the touch, but never soggy or waterlogged. Excessive water in the soil prevents oxygen from reaching the plant, according to the University of Minnesota's Extension website, and leads to tuber rot and other rot diseases.

Symptoms

• Dahlias with rot problems stop growing, wilt and die. You may see white mold growing on the ground around the stem of the plant, according to Michigan State University's Extension website. If you dig up the tubers, you may see soft, black areas that have rotted away.

Prevention and Treatment

• Always plant Dahlias in locations that drain well and are exposed to full sunlight. This will keep the soil warm and encourage better blooming. Never locate Dahlias where standing water develops or in locations where cold air pools (such as depressions or shaded areas), as this may lead to tuber rot. In addition, do not crowd the tubers; instead, plant each one so that air circulates freely around the plant. If the entire tuber is rotted, you must discard the plant. If only part of it is rotted, you can cut away that part and plant the tuber again in the spring if the healthy part has an eye, or bud on it.

Other Considerations

• Protect your Dahlia tubers by lifting them from the ground and storing them during the winter. This will keep them from becoming too cold, which in turn may prevent them from rotting. Dig up your Dahlias after the first frost of fall and after the leaves have turned black. Leave about 6 inches of stem on each tuber. Gently lift them from the soil with a garden rake or spade. Shake off the loose dirt and hang them upside-down in a dry area for two weeks. Once they are dry, lay them in a tray filled with sand or peat moss. In the spring, inspect them for signs of rot, and cut away any rotted or black areas. Plant them again when the soil warms in the spring and after all danger of frost is past.