Master Doubling Your Dahlias: A Simple Guide
Boost your dahlia yield this year with this secret gardening technique, ensuring an abundant display of stunning blooms.
Ever wondered how to coax even more breathtaking blooms from your dahlias? Well, you're in luck! Gather your gardening essentials, don your gloves, and let's dive in.
Essential Tools
- Protective gloves (such as the Niwaki Gardening Gloves, priced at £6, available at John Lewis)
- Clean, sharp gardening scissors (try the Darlac Ergo Gardening Snips, priced at £16.99, from Amazon)
- A striking dahlia: the Dahlia 'Vancouver', starting at £14.39 for a 3-litre pot from Crocus, or the Dahlia 'Café au Lait', priced at £16.95 for a 3-litre pot from Sarah Raven, are both great choices!
Steps to Follow
In just a few easy steps, you'll be multiplying your flowery wonders in no time!
1. Pinch to Change the Game
It may initially seem counterintuitive, but the secret lies in pinching out the growing tip.
- To double your dahlias, simply remove the growing tip after plants have reached about 30cm tall. This action stimulates more bushy growth, leading to a larger crop of flowers.
- When pinching, aim to take the top of the growing tip down to just above a node or lower leaves. Always use a clean, sharp pair of small snips for precision.
2. Deadhead Consistently
If you aim to not only double but keep dahlias blooming, deadheading is essential.
- By timely removal of spent blossoms, you allow your plants to redirect their energy towards producing new flowers instead of seed production.
- Regular deadheading also offers the added benefit of providing you with an abundant supply of fresh flowers for vases.
3. Hydrate Thoroughly
To ensure healthy dahlia growth, watering is key. Whether you're planting in your garden borders or in pots, adequate watering is crucial.
- Water regularly, particularly during dry spells, and feed your dahlias every couple of weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- For optimal results, mulch the soil around your dahlias, providing improved water retention and weed suppression.
FAQs
Got further questions? Let our gardening experts clear the air.
How to boost dahlias' flower production?
To increase the number of dahlias' flowers, pinching its growing tips when plants are around 20-30cm tall encourages bushier growth, leading to more flowering stems.
What's the best dahlia variety for maximum flowering?
'Bishop of Llandaff at Crocus', 'Cafe au Lait at Crocus', and 'Kelvin Floodlight at Crocus' are some of the most prolific dahlia varieties. You can find these and other delightful options at your local nursery.
Now that you've learned the tricks of the trade, get ready to unleash a floral explosion in your own backyard! Happy gardening!
Tanya ColeTanya Cole is an experienced gardener and writer, passionate about connecting others with the joys of cultivating flowers and vegetables. She relishes finding sustainable solutions for gardeners of all skill levels. Make sure to follow her gardening blog for expert advice, practical tips, and beautiful inspiration!
[1] Gardening Know How, How to Pin Out Dahlias[2] Dahlia.org, Growing Instructions[3] Gardening Know How, How to Propagate Dahlias[4] Hopes Grove Nurseries, Grow Dahlias[5] Crocus, Grow Your Own Dahlias
To take care of your home-and-garden, ensure you have gardening essentials such as gloves, sharp scissors, and choose a striking dahlia like 'Vancouver' or 'Cafe au Lait'. By pinching out the growing tip, deadheading consistently, and providing adequate water and fertilization, you can keep dahlias blooming and multiplying for a lovely lifestyle in your garden.
