our dahlias poked through the soil about two weeks ago. a week later, at merely an inch tall, two of them were chewed down below the surface of the soil!! leaving a blunt stump about 1/2 of an inch below the soil line. will the stem continue to grow and be ok, or are they like lily's, where if the top of the stem is gone then it wont do anything more?

One of mine survived the initial stem withering completely last year and finally did bloom a week before frost but at least I got a bloom and the tuber did well over winter so I have higher hopes for it this year.

I doubt if there's an absolute yes or no to your question, more like a wait and see.

Dahlias are not like lilies. Many growers pinch back Dahlias - though obviously not quite so early. One of the reasons I pre-start my Dahlias inside, is they are much less likely to get critter damage if they are already leaved out when they are planted outside. If yours were only an inch or two tall then it shouldn't set back bloom time for more than a week or two.

I get the pinching back thing, we do it as well. works wonders! but theres no growing tip at all anymore, just a stump. I hope you're right that its still early enough for them to continue!

Here's the progression of my Zoey Rey:


You can see how it withered but it did eventually rebound and bloom.

Jason
any update ?
Did your Dahlia make it ?

Cinda - sorry for the delayed response. I didnt see your reply until just now... Yes, they made it, big time!!

Beautiful

Did you save tubers for this year ?
Spring should be near in your zone

no, we don't bother with saving them. we just buy new tubers each season. spring is slowly making its presence known here, but its still a ways off. lots of cold rain still. usually plant them the first week of may.

Sounds nice. Just pitch the tube and get fresh ones in the spring. I am sooooo dreading getting my bags from the crawl space. Around the middle of next month for us; lay in moistened soil in flats and see who pops (that haven't already sprouted) then into a pot for them that do.

I've been very diligently checking tubers. Three sprouted but they're tiny, so far. A few bad tubers that I simply cut off. Not bad!

Placed another order last night with Old House Dahlias. Only Swan Island left for a new order thanks to a gift certificate. They all be big showy ones.

Interesting that you are dreading dealing with your saved tubers. I am excited about it! Its a little depressing if I have lost all of a type, but that is rare.

I am really looking forward to getting my seeds started, and the tubers sprouting - it really helps me get through the last few months of winter.