Soft Dahlia tubers are never a good sign, they are either dead or dying and sadly there is nothing you can do to bring them back once they have gone soft. Dahlia tubers are just like potatoes, which are also tubers, once either of these gets soft and mushy they have to be thrown out. Soft Dahlia tubers are prone to getting mold, and if the mold is left unchecked it could spread onto the healthy tubers as well.
Inspect your Dahlia tubers carefully, paying attention to any signs of soft spots or discoloration as these could indicate rotting. If you notice rot, you can trim the affected area of the tuber. However, if the tuber feels mushy, it’s best to remove it from the group. Planting rotten Dahlia tubers will likely result in their decomposition in your garden.
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Usually, Dahlia tubers tend to get soft while being overwintered, and once you take them out of the storage during the spring you will notice that they are soft and mushy, at this point they have to be thrown out. Under certain circumstances, the soft tubers can turn into complete mush and they will also start to smell. If you have a bigger clump of Dahlia tubers, and some of the tubers are soft then you need to cut these off as soon as possible.
Dahlia tubers can get soft in the soil as well, and for the most part, this tends to happen if they are being overwatered or the soil is not draining fast enough. The bigger the Dahlia tuber clump is the higher the chances are of some of the tubers going soft, so always check them in the autumn. If your Dahlia tubers started to sprout in storage then check out my recent article Dahlia Tubers Sprouting In Storage ( Top 3 Reasons ).
Soft Dahlia Tubers
Soft dahlia tubers can be a sign of various issues and should be addressed promptly. Softness in dahlia tubers could indicate rot or decay, which can be caused by excessive moisture, fungal diseases, or poor storage conditions. It is important to inspect the tubers carefully before planting and discard any that are soft or mushy. To prevent softness in dahlia tubers, ensure they are properly cured and dried before storage, and store them in a cool and dry location with good airflow. Avoid overwatering the plants during the growing season and provide well-draining soil to prevent waterlogged conditions. If softness is noticed in stored tubers, it is best to discard them to prevent the spread of rot to other healthy tubers.
Frost Damage
One of the main reasons why Dahlia tubers get soft is due to frost damage, these tubers tend to hold plenty of water, and once the water freezes it destroys the entire tuber. Dahlia tubers need to store a lot of water and nutrients, this way they can survive their dormancy period and will have plenty of energy to sprout in the spring. This is one of the main reasons why it is not recommended to water the Dahlia tubers after planting as they already have enough water in the tubers.
Cool temperatures are ideal for storing Dahlia tubers during the winter, but if the temperatures drop below freezing even for a couple of hours it can be fatal for the tubers. As the water in the tubers starts to freeze, it will expand, this, in turn, will damage the cells and the structure of the tuber to a point where the tuber can not survive. Even slight frost damage can be fatal for Dahlia tubers as this creates a weak point where infection or mold can occur.
If you are overwintering your Dahlia tubers indoors then make sure to protect them from frost. If you are overwintering them in the garden then apply a generous amount of mulch on top of them as this provides an extra layer of protection. If you want to know if your Dahlia tubers are dead or not then check out my recent article How To Tell If Dahlia Tubers Are Dead? ( Top 7 Signs ).
Tuber Rot
If you have tried growing Dahlias in your garden several times, but failed miserably then the most likely reason is that the tubers have rotten away. Soft Dahlia tubers are a clear sign that the tubers have started to rot. The tubers rot either if they have been exposed to frost, or because they got too much water. A lot of people tend to overwater their Dahlia tubers, as they tend to be thirsty plants, especially when they are flowering.
However, if you have clay soil, then water them less, this way you will reduce the risk of the tubers rotting. Soft and rotten Dahlia tubers tend to give off a specific smell, so always give the tubers a good sniff once you pull them out of the soil.
Mold
Mold can be a big problem for Dahlia tubers, and once the mold starts to spread on them you can not save them. Mold tends to make the tubers soft to the touch, so if the Dahlia tubers have mold and are also soft to the touch then they are definitely gone. Usually, mold will form on the tubers while they are in storage during the winter, and the main cause of it is high humidity. Different kinds of molds thrive in humid areas, and they can easily grow on Dahlia tubers.
To avoid getting mold growing on your Dahlia tubers, make sure to store them in a cool and dark environment that is relatively dry. Just keep in mind that if the storage space is too dry then the Dahlia tubers can dry out, this is why some people water their tubers even while they are in storage. If your Dahlias are not sprouting in the garden then check out my recent article Dahlias Not Sprouting ( Top 6 Reasons ).
Damaged Tubers
Dahlia tubers can become soft if they are damaged, although this is not that common. Healthy Dahlia tubers are as hard as potatoes, so they will need a significant amount of force in order to be damaged. With that being said this can occur if your local soil is fairly compacted and you have stepped on the planted tubers. As Dahlia tubers have to be planted relatively close to the surface damage can occur if you step on them.
Once the Dahlia tuber is damaged it will try to heal if possible, although if the damage is relatively severe then the tubers will slowly start to become soft and will eventually die of rot.
Key Takeaways
- Soft Dahlia tubers are a result of frost damage, as the water in the tubers freezes it damages the tubers and they will go soft and then mushy. High humidity can make the Dahlia tubers soft by rotting them or by having mold grow on them. In addition to this, damaged Dahlia tubers will get soft after a while as they will start to slowly rot away.
- Soft Dahlia tubers can not be revived, you have to throw them out.
- If the Dahlia tubers have gotten soft due to rot or mold, then make sure to check the nearby tubers as well, and throw the soft ones out.