Dahlias...Where to snip?

[Deleted]

Hi

Have had great success this year growing Dahlias in one of my borders, but this wet weather we've been having is causing the flowers to go over quicker than they should and I would like to keep them flowering as long as possible. Can anyone advise on where exactly you take off the spent buds? Is it the bud itself leaving the stalk, or do you cut the stalk right back? I only ask because I seem to have more empty stalks in the border now, than I do flowers (although new buds are forming) and it doesn't look that great.

Thanks.

[andy]

If you take just the bud off, the stalk that was supporting it becomes redundant and dies off. This can increase the chances of bacterial infections (especially in the wet weather we've been getting) and also can look horrible.

So therefore, cut it right back....almost like you'd be cutting it for a vase.

HTH

[weedorcas]

This is a common question with all plants, oh Drunken One, I think because of the term 'Deadheading". Perhaps it should be 'Redundant Stalking"
No matter how large or small the plant, always cut off the whole flowerstalk, back to a leaf, or to the ground. Apart from the disease issue, bare stalks look so ugly. Like chopsticks all over the place. Will you be busy all day now?? ;D

[andy]

There's an echo in here

[Pip]

My dahlias have been marvellous this year as well DG, apart from the earwigs that they seem to be covered in. I don't see one until I cut a few off for the house and then they seem to decend all over my tablecloth.

Yes weedorcas, the term deadheading can be misleading can't it. I always hate it in the Spring when I cut back the Trollus, they always look so unsightly. I now cut right back to the ground and use some of the leaves for decoration purposes.

Pip

[Chuckles]

I'm the same Pip I was just going to say that I'd picked some Dahlias the other day and had earwigs all on the kitchen worktop I hate them and like you don't see them until they crawl out in the house

[Deleted]

Many thanks to all! Didn't get to check this today unfortunately, so looks I've got a busy evening tomorrow night.

Cheers!

[Cheerypeabrain]

pip said:

My dahlias have been marvellous this year as well DG, apart from the earwigs that they seem to be covered in. I don't see one until I cut a few off for the house and then they seem to decend all over my tablecloth.

Yes weedorcas, the term deadheading can be misleading can't it. I always hate it in the Spring when I cut back the Trollus, they always look so unsightly. I now cut right back to the ground and use some of the leaves for decoration purposes.

Pip

I'm glad somebody's had nice dahlias this year because mine have been pathetic. I think it's because we just haven't had much sun at all...I only have ONE plant surviving in the border (Bishop's Children) and that is yet to flower... We've only had two completely rain-free days since the end of May...