dahlia question - Ask Extension
Hi. I have started my dahlia tubers indoors this spring, intending to plant them in the ground after the last frost. My tubers have grown quite tall--...
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dahlia question #867756
Asked May 09, 2024, 1:58 PM EDT
Hi. I have started my dahlia tubers indoors this spring, intending to plant them in the ground after the last frost. My tubers have grown quite tall--12-18". I am wondering if i can trim them back now, before planting them in the ground and how much should i take off. I have read in your planting dahlia tubers #1094: "If they have sprouted, you can snip back the new growth to a length of one inch. This will not hurt the dahlias and will actually encourage better growth." Thank you!!
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Steffie,
Thanks for contacting us and doing some initial research by finding our PlantTalk guide. To answer your question, yes, based on what you've described it sounds like the perfect time to pinch your Dahlias. This will help promote bushier growth.
Here is some information on the PennState extension site:
When the plant is about one foot tall and displays three to four pairs of leaves, pinch the terminal (top) shoot to encourage branching. Although one pinching is sufficient, additional pinching will make the plant even bushier with more blooms. For larger single blooms, remove the two side buds on each branch when they are pea-sized, leaving only the central bud to grow.
https://extension.psu.edu/the-dirt-on-dahlias
Hope that helps!
Thanks for contacting us and doing some initial research by finding our PlantTalk guide. To answer your question, yes, based on what you've described it sounds like the perfect time to pinch your Dahlias. This will help promote bushier growth.
Here is some information on the PennState extension site:
When the plant is about one foot tall and displays three to four pairs of leaves, pinch the terminal (top) shoot to encourage branching. Although one pinching is sufficient, additional pinching will make the plant even bushier with more blooms. For larger single blooms, remove the two side buds on each branch when they are pea-sized, leaving only the central bud to grow.
https://extension.psu.edu/the-dirt-on-dahlias
Hope that helps!
Thank you so much!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On May 9, 2024, at 1:00 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
