About our tubers

Where are your tubers grown?

All tubers are grown on our property in rural Gisborne, New Zealand. Every variety has been grown from our own stock for at least one season, most for three or more seasons.

How many tubers will I receive?

Most orders are for a single tuber, though some varieties may include a small clump. Tubers come in many shapes and sizes and a lot of this is variety dependent. Rest assured, even the smallest tuber will grow into a beautiful, healthy plant.

Are the tubers inspected before dispatch?

Yes, all tubers are carefully inspected at planting, lifting, dividing and dispatch time. Cut ends are dipped in cinnamon and each tuber is checked for visible eyes at dividing time.

What if my tuber arrives and something seems wrong?

Please check your tubers when they arrive and email us with details and photos within 7 days if there are any concerns. We'll discuss and remedy as needed.

 

Presales

How do your presales work?

We run two main dahlia tuber sales each year, one presale in late Autumn a another in late Winter or early Spring one dividing is complete. Initial stock numbers are set conservatively to manage risk over the winter storage period. A second release follows once final tuber numbers are confirmed, combined courier is available for both presales.

What if a variety sells out before I can order?

Use the "Notify me when available" button on any sold-out variety, you'll get an automatic email if stock becomes available in the second release.

What if a variety doesn't store well over winter?

In the unlikely event a variety doesn't store well, we'll contact you directly to offer a refund or a replacement variety.

Can I combine two orders into one parcel?

Yes, if you place an order in either of the first two sales, you can combine all orders into one courier parcel for a $2 handling fee. This option is only available before dispatch of any orders begins.

 

Shipping

What are your shipping rates?

Shipping is via NZ Post. Please select the correct option for your location at checkout:

 

Location	Cost
Gisborne local pickup (Makaraka Veges)	$5
North Island urban	$13
North Island rural	$18
South Island urban	$17
South Island rural	$23
Combined courier handling fee	$2

 

How do I know if I'm rural?

NZ Post classifies some addresses as rural delivery. If you're unsure, check at nzpost.co.nz

When will my order be dispatched?

All orders are dispatched approximately September. We'll confirm exact timing when dividing is complete and the second presale opens.

Tuber care

How do I store my tubers when they arrive?

Tubers will arrive ready to store until planting time. Basic care and planting instructions are included with every order. There are many great resources online, YouTube and Google are a good start, and the Floret "Discovering Dahlias" book is excellent for in-depth guidance including storage. We have a series called Dahlia Diaries on Instagram running in real time throughout the season, each episode is also attached to the website blog for easy reference.

My tubers look a bit shriveled, is that normal?

Yes, completely normal. Dahlia tubers naturally experience some shriveling during storage but will still shoot and produce a healthy, vigorous plant. We inspect every tuber carefully at order packing time and will not send out anything that we would not be happy to plant. 

Who is responsible for tuber care after delivery?

The purchaser is responsible for the care of tubers between arrival and planting time. We take great care to dispatch healthy, quality tubers but as this is a live product, we cannot take responsibility for what happens after delivery.

Disease

What steps do you take to prevent disease?

We take best practice steps at every stage. New varieties are quarantined in a separate growing area for a season. Tools are sanitised between plants during the growing season and between each tuber clump at digging and dividing time. Please be aware that disease can be present in existing soil or transmitted by insects or gardening tools during the growing season, we cannot take responsibility for disease that appears after planting.