Dahlia help

[cabbageroses]

growing dahlias this year- large Arabian Night.
I have started them off with the tubers in pots- is this okay? last year I put them straight into the ground and they disappeared:(

I think tubers in pots is the way to go - I've never had any success by just sticking them in the ground. In previous years I've started mine in trays in a heated propagator, but this year they seem to be doing just as well in open trays on the dining room table. It's when I plant them out that they meet their doom.

I've had some dahlia tubers in big pots in the conservatory for about three weeks now & they're beginning to sprout. I've been told by people in the know that you have to wait for all chance of frost to pass before planting them out or they're toast. Suspect slugs/snails would find them pretty tasty as well. Have had varying advice on whether to lift the tubers or not at the end of the season. May experiment!