AT A GLANCE
Pruning dahlias is important for healthy growth and plentiful flowering. Regularly remove wilted flowers in summer and cut back radically in autumn. For early-stage cut flowers, prune at an angle and remove diseased shoots to prevent disease.
Do dahlias need pruning?
Because dahlias frost cannot withstand and their tubers are dug up for the winter as a result, it is importantto cut them back. The parts of the plant die off due to sub-zero temperatures and should be rigorously removed. They are not suitable for overwintering.
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When to cut back dahlias
Dahlias are generally grown in Autumn cut back. The right time may vary. You can either prune the dahlias right after the first frost or just before it Digging up the tubers.
However, it is important that the plant already has black leaves when it is cut back. Then the storage organs, the tubers, could already draw a lot of energy from them. You need these for wintering.
How do you cut back the dahlias?
All above-ground plant parts of the dahlias are in autumn radical shortened. Grab a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears. With this you cut the stems to 15 cm above the ground. The clippings can then be disposed of on the compost, unless the respective dahlia was ill.
Why should dahlias be cut while they are growing?
A few weeks after Plant should the dahlias get the first cut in order to grow better afterwards branch and later richer too bloom. The main drive 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 10cm above the ground.
Why should the dahlia be cut regularly in summer?
If you remove wilted flowers of the dahlia in summer, they will then form new flowers. Simply cut back faded stems to a healthy pair of leaves.
Trimming is an important part of the Care and it causes new shoots to emerge from the leaf axils, which branch well and produce new buds within a few weeks. It also reduces the risk of illness. Often the withered flowers fall down on the leaves. There they rot in damp weather and can promote fungal infestation.
How and when to prune dahlias for cut flowers
In order to obtain long-lasting cut flowers, the dahlias should be planted early Morning with long stems aslant be cut off. It is best when they are freshly bloomed.
For what diseases should dahlias receive a pruning?
Even sick dahlias may need a cut, for example mildew or the leaf spot disease. Heavily infested shoots are completely removed to prevent spreading to other parts.
Tip
Do not cut in dry periods
If there is a dry period in summer, it is better not to cut the dahlias. They need the water supply in the stems and leaves to be able to withstand the drought.
