Preparing Dahlias Post-Flowering: A 4-Step Guide to Maintain Summer Blossoms and Set the Stage for Next Year's Blooms
Caring for Dahlias: A Guide for a Vibrant Blooming Season
Dahlias, with their bright and colourful blooms, are a popular choice for summer and fall gardens. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to care for these beautiful plants to ensure a vibrant blooming season next year.
1. Cutting Back Once the flowering season comes to an end, it's time to cut back your dahlias. This should be done after the first frost or when the plants naturally start dying back. If frost is harsh, you can cut them back beforehand to avoid damage to the tubers.
2. Lifting Tubers Use a garden fork or spade to carefully loosen and lift the tubers from the soil, trying to avoid bruising or cutting them. Lift the entire clump of tubers after the foliage has died back or been cut.
3. Cleaning and Drying Rinse the tubers gently to remove soil, then allow them to dry completely in a cool, shaded, and well-ventilated area for several days. This helps prevent rot during storage.
4. Storing Tubers Store dried tubers in a cool, dark place such as a basement or garage. Place them in a breathable container (like a box with peat moss, sawdust, or vermiculite) to maintain moderate humidity and prevent shriveling. The ideal storage temperature is around 40-50°F (4-10°C).
5. Replanting in Spring In late winter or early spring, check stored tubers for firmness and signs of new growth ("eyes"). Discard any tubers that are soft or moldy. You may pre-sprout them indoors in a warm spot to encourage earlier shoots before planting outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
Throughout the growing season, routinely deadhead fading blooms to encourage continuous flowering and maximize the season's bloom period. Harvest cut dahlias early in the day, cut stems low near the base, and plunge stems in water quickly to preserve freshness.
Dahlias are known for blooming through summer and into the fall. New growth can be initiated from eyes near each tuber's neck. Typically, 4-6 weeks are required for tubers to break dormancy. Proper care can ensure beautiful summer blooming plants the following year. The arrival of the first frost marks the end of the dahlia flowering season.
For those living outside the recommended hardiness zone, dahlias can be potted into individual containers prior to sprouting or lifted from the soil and stored indoors to protect them during the winter months.
To monitor temperature and humidity during storage, consider using a ThermoPro TP50 Hygrometer. This will help maintain the ideal conditions for your dahlia tubers. With these care tips, you can enjoy the beauty of dahlias in your garden for many seasons to come.
After the first frost or when the dahlias naturally start dying back, cut back the plants and store the tubers for next year's blooming season. For optimal tuber storage, place them in a cool, dark location with moderate humidity and allow them to dry completely before storing.
