Here's your step by step fall dahlia pruning guide:
AUGUST 08, 2024
A weekly crash course on one thing you can implement right away to be a better gardener.
Itching to get your hands in your garden after a hot summer?
If you live in a climate where dahlias go dormant in the summer, but resume blooming come fall (ahem-Houston-ahem), August is a great month to get them set up for success!
01. Cut back
Check for leaf nodes:
See that tiny leaf poking out above the browned leaf? - That's about to be where you next blooming branch grows.
You can cut back 50% of the plant, but make any cuts about ¼" above a leaf node, like pictured above.
02. Remove damaged leaves + stems
Give your plants a head start on a healthy fall
Cutting back dead leaves and stems takes the stress off the plant - those dead leaves and dying stems are drawing lots of energy from the plant, which is working hard to heal the damage. By removing them, your plant can now divert its energy to new growth.
03. Plan for support
An opportunity
If any of your dahlias got wonky during our summer storms, now is the time to straighten them back out! Placing a stake beside the main stem, and tying it in is a great way to straighten back out your plant before it starts to bloom again.
Remember, straight plants mean straight stems! Straight stems are much easier to work with if you'd like to use th dahlia as a cut flower!
04. Fertilize and Water
Post surgery-care
Giving plants some TLC after a heavy prune will help them recover and begin growing again!
Try watering twice a day for the two weeks following the prune, and applying a high nitrogen fertilizer to encourage green growth.
Not sure which fertilizer to use when? Check out this detailed blog post!
I'm already planning the spring tuber sale, as well as lots of educational offerings around dahlias.
If you have any burning questions OR if you have any tried and true tips, hit reply and let me know what they are!
I'm so grateful to grow with you day after day!
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