Question
I was given a dahlia as a gift, a small one as a potted plant.  It bloomed and did OK this summer.  My main problem was some sort of pests eating the leaves!  I'm not sure if it was slugs or another pest.  My main question relates to how can I care for it this winter?  I know nothing about dahlias, didn't even know they were a tuber plant until recently I read that they are.  I know outdoors they can grow quite tall, but mine is only about 12 inches tall, (in the pot).  I DID repot it when I received it, to a next sized pot.  What can I do?  Keep the plant inside?  Dig the tubers up?  I am fairly clueless?  I live in NC, zone 7b.  Thanks in advance.

Answer
Dahlias are wonderful tubers. Your plant is not small because it is in a container, but because it is a smaller variety.
Snails and slugs love to dine on the dahlias. Try snail bait.
There are three important things to know when storing your dahlia.
1. Temperature- keep your tuber in a frost free environment. If you have a basement or garage that does not get below 35 degrees or above 60 degrees. The best temperature is 45 to 50 degrees.
2. Dark- keep the tuber covered so that it will stay dormant until you are ready for it to grow again.
3. Moisture-the tubers must be kept dry, but not allowed to dry out completely. Keeping it in the container will be fine, as long as you remember to check it often to see if it is still healthy, and dry.  Take it out of the soil carefuly,if you see that it has started to shrival from being too dry, soak it in water over night, then plant it in the dry soil again. Place a plastic bag over the container to keep the tuber from drying to quickly. If the tuber does not show signs of wilt, then you will not need to use the plastic bag.
You will not need to store the plant indoors until the first danger of frost. Then prepare the plant by cutting the stock to about 4 to 6 inches up from the soil line.
When you see the little "eyes" at the top of the tuber start to develop, it is time to slowly bring the tuber out into the light again. It will not be able to go outside until the danger of frost has past, but the light will help it to start growing. When the growth appears, and it is moved to the light, it is time to gradually start watering again. Start with small amounts. Increase the amount in proportion to the size of the plant. Remember that tubers are prone to rot if they are too wet. So let it dry out before you water again.
When you return it to the outdoors, put snail bate around the soil in the pot, and watch for aphids. Give it plenty of sun, and fertilize once a month.
bakerplanter.