They are stunning flowering plants in late summer and are well suited for the vase. But how should you cut the dahlias to get a particularly large number of large flowers and does this plant even need a radical pruning?
How and when should you prune dahlias?
Pruning dahlias is important for he althy growth and abundant flowering. Remove wilted flowers regularly in summer and cut back radically in autumn. For early-stage cut flowers, cut diagonally and remove diseased shoots to prevent disease.
Do dahlias need pruning?
Since dahlias cannot withstand frost and their tubers are dug up to overwinter, it isimportant to cut them back. The plant parts die due to sub-zero temperatures and should be removed rigorously. They are not suitable for overwintering.
When should dahlias be cut back?
Dahlias are generally cut back inautumn. The right time can vary. You can either cut down the dahlias immediately after the first frost or just before digging up the tubers.
However, it is important that the plant already has black leaves when you cut it back. Then the storage organs, the tubers, were able to draw a lot of energy from them. They need these for overwintering.
How do you cut back the dahlias?
All above-ground parts of the dahlias are shortenedradical in autumn. Grab a pair of clean and sharp secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon). Use this to cut the stems to 15 cm above the ground. The clippings can then be disposed of in the compost, unless the dahlia in question was diseased.
Why should dahlias be cut while growing?
A few weeks after planting, the dahlias should receive the first cut in order tobranch betterand laterbloom. The main shoot is shortened.
The right time for this cut is usually between May and June. As soon as the dahlias are between 20 and 40 cm high, the tips are cut off. Cut the dahlias down to 10 cm above the ground.
Why should the dahlia be cut regularly in summer?
If you remove wilted dahlia flowers in summer,new flowers will form. Simply cut back the spent stems to a he althy pair of leaves.
Pruning is an important part of care and it causes new shoots to emerge from the leaf axils, which branch well and produce new buds within a few weeks. This also reduces the risk of illness. Often the wilted flowers fall onto the leaves. There they rot in damp weather and can encourage fungal infestation.
How and when do you prune dahlias for cut flowers?
In order to obtain long-lasting cut flowers, the dahlias should be cut earlymorningwith long stemsdiagonally. It's best when they are freshly bloomed.
For which diseases should dahlias be cut?
Sick dahlias may also need a cut, for example formildew or leaf spot disease. Severely infected shoots are completely removed to prevent spreading to other parts.
Tip
Do not cut in dry times
If there is a dry period in summer, the dahlias should not be cut. They need the water supply in the stems and leaves to withstand the drought.
