We were given a couple of containers for the garden, with dahlias, gladioli, and various annuals. The gladioli have long since fallen over and I cut them back for the winter. Most of the dahlias, however, keep putting out new leaves -- some of them are even putting out new buds. Our last bloom was just a couple of weeks ago. Should I just let the dahlias keep going until they finally give up on their own, or should I cut them back now so the bulbs can save their energy for spring? And can I leave the dahlia and gladioli bulbs in the pot for the winter, or should I dig them up and store them indoors? Thanks for any advice!
Anitra, after the frost kills off the tops I dig mine up and store them in my crawlspace for the winter. They are usually just stored in a box or milk crate. I pot them back up in the spring. I've had the same ones for 4 years now and they are all OK.
Oh, we're buried in snow now so I hope you dug up those gladiola's and dahlias and brought them indoors. I store mine in a box or bags along with the canna's and in April I will pot them up and put them under grow lights. This gives them a headstart for when they go into the ground the last of May. I know some people who treat them like annuals and leave them in the ground to die. I suppose if you don't have storage room...and you didn't pay much...
