We used to think that in order to plant dahlias; you only had to take a clump of stored dahlia tubers and just tear them into mini clumps for planting.

This will work but is not the ideal method. Clumps of tubers should be divided down to single or double tubers, ensuring that each division has at least one eye on the clump side of the tuber's neck.

A single or double tuber may look somewhat insignificant (downright scrawny looking, in most cases) but as long as the tuber is solid and in good shape with at least one eye, it will grow.

A single or double tuber planted this way will grow, say, four to eight stems which will be easier for the root system to nourish. This will result in healthier stems, foliage and much better quality blooms.

A "mini" clump will produce more stems; however, the growth will still be fed by only one root system resulting in inferior foliage, stems and blooms.