Planting Promise: Why Our Tubers Matter
Behind every dahlia you see in our fields—or in a vase on your kitchen table—there’s a humble tuber that started it all.
A dahlia tuber is a potato-like storage root, full of energy and promise. When planted in the spring, it sends up shoots that grow into lush green plants, eventually producing the stunning blooms dahlias are known for. But not all tubers are created equal—and that’s where we come in.
At Flaming Acres Dahlias, we don’t just grow flowers—we grow the start of something beautiful. Our shop features high-quality, field-tested tubers grown with care right here on our family farm. Each one is inspected, labeled, and stored in a climate-controlled environment to ensure it arrives healthy, viable, and ready to grow.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting your dahlia journey, we want you to feel confident knowing that the tubers you receive have been nurtured with intention—from soil to shipment.
Because we believe what you plant should bring joy—not just in the bloom, but in the process.
What is a Tuber, Anyway? A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re new to dahlias, you’ve probably heard the word tuber tossed around a lot—but what exactly is it, and why does it matter?
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break it down:
What a dahlia tuber is (hint: it’s not a seed!)
Why tubers are the key to growing vibrant, healthy dahlias
How they grow, multiply, and get you ready for next season’s garden
What to look for when buying quality tubers (like the ones we grow here at Flaming Acres)
Whether you're just starting your wishlist or getting ready to plant, this is your simple, down-to-earth intro to the wonderful world beneath the blooms.
Anatomy of a Dahlia Tuber: What Each Part Does
A dahlia tuber isn’t just a lump of stored energy—it’s a living structure with specific parts, each with a role to play in next season’s growth. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
1. Crown (the very top of the tuber)
This is the most important part of the tuber! The crown is the connection point between the tuber and last year’s plant stalk. It’s where new shoots (called eyes) will sprout in spring.
No crown = no eyes = no new plant.
2. Eye
Tiny but mighty, the eye is the growth bud—similar to a potato eye. It's located right on the crown and will become the new stem and foliage.
Healthy tubers must have at least one visible eye to grow.
3. Body (the Tuber Itself)
This is the plump, storage part—a swollen root filled with nutrients and moisture. It nourishes the plant as it starts to grow before the roots and leaves take over.
Think of it as the pantry the plant raids in spring!
4. Skin
The outer layer of the tuber that protects it from rot, dehydration, and damage. During storage, intact skin helps the tuber stay firm and healthy.
