Tuber Appearance & Expectations
The following is part of our Terms & Conditions that you understand and agree to by visiting our site.
You might receive a tuber whose appearance makes you giggle. Enjoy the laugh instead of complaining. You're welcome.
Please know that we will never send you blind, desiccated, rotten, unviable or compromised tubers as that is simply unacceptable. The following information is to elaborate on what normal, viable, GOOD tubers look like.
Tubers are simply the root of the dahlia plant. As the roots, aka “guts” of dahlias, and like any living thing, the “guts” aren’t typically attractive. Imagine if we humans were judged by what our “guts”, aka our intestines, look like…kinda silly isn’t it? When you purchase a tuber of particular variety, you are purchasing the DNA code for the FLOWER you wish to grow. That DNA code comes in all shapes, sizes and textures. Tubers typically resemble potatoes and may be large, small, twisted, lumpy, ugly and are sometimes shaped like male genitalia. Unlike one of the aforementioned characteristics, size does NOT matter when it comes to dahlia tubers. I had to say it! Please don't come for me because your sense of humor is too posh for tuber humor. Life is short and laughter is the best medicine!
Please ask yourself: "Did I buy this tuber for the particular flower it produces? Or for what the roots, that will get buried underground, look like? Tubers are not the pretty part of the plant – the FLOWERS are! Please trust that Mother Nature knew what she was doing.
Below are common cosmetic occurrences in dahlia tubers that are often mistaken for unviability. We will not issue refunds or replacements for cosmetic occurrences. These are all NORMAL and will not have any impact on your tuber’s performance in any way:
- Skin shrinkage or wrinkles: After hibernating in a dormant state all winter, tubers can show some minor signs of skin shrinkage or wrinkles. Just like how many of us need to use moisturizer on our skin after we wake up in the morning. Tubers will plump right back up once they’ve developed roots and are planted.
- Soft or rubbery tubers: Some varieties just store on the slightly softer side. Tubers that are rubbery or bendy are that way because they are "greener" (younger) than the older tubers in the clump. They grow just the same as the really firm tubers. Please note that soft or rubbery vs rotten are very different conditions.
- Stretch marks: Tubers can develop what we call “stretch marks”. This is when a vertical crack develops on the skin along the side of the tuber during a period of rapid growth. Some varieties are more prone to stretch marks than others. It’s entirely cosmetic and does not harm the tuber.
- Trimmed tails: We occasionally trim the tails of tubers prior to storage to check for rot and/or remove a tail that was damaged during the digging process. The cut end callouses over and stores like any other tuber. If it survived storage, it’s completely viable and worthy of being sold. We assure you that you weren't cheated out of anything.
- Flaking skin and/or cracked skin on necks: This is very normal and not the same as a broken neck.
- Tuber nicks or dings: This is an extremely common cosmetic occurrence that is caused by being dug by a pitchfork. It’s nothing to worry about. Please note that we are referring to small nicks or dings, not large "gouges". Typically, if a minor injury has calloused over and the tuber fared storage without issue, it's completely viable.
- Tuber with no neck: Contrary to popular belief, a neck on a tuber isn’t a required part of a tuber's anatomy. Envision Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head - many tubers resemble them. If the tuber does have a neck, it must be intact and can’t be broken – otherwise the tuber won’t grow. However, many tubers are “stubby” and eyes form on the top of the tuber near the ridge that forms by the crown tissue when no neck is present. These “stubby” tubers are also much less likely to be damaged during shipping since there’s no neck to break.
- Sprout broken during shipping: This is very common and sometimes unavoidable. Fortunately, it's no cause for concern. We promise you were not cheated and we would never take cuttings from a tuber that is going to a customer. The spot where the sprout broke off will soon send up 2-4 new sprouts which simply means more stems and more flowers!