Your Dahlias are Growing, What to do in May/June

When your dahlias have developed 6 pairs of leaves, pinch the top out.  This will stimulate the growth of laterals to grow where each leave joins the main stem.   

Pinching should be done for two reasons: 

1.   To encourage lateral branches to start development so that you will have plenty of blooms in time for show season

2.   To produce a bushier, sturdier and more compact dahlia plant. This will make your plants less susceptible to high winds and inclement weather.

An additional benefit is that because you are actually forcing earlier blooms you will have more blooms during the growing season. 

Before Topping

After Topping

  

Process:  

Grasp the central growing tip on your dahlia plant and bend it until it snaps off. Be careful not to damage the two emerging lateral branches that will just be beginning to form on each side of the plant tip right at the base of each leaf. Now all of your plant’s energy is directed into the growth of the lateral branches rather than the plant’s terminal bud.

After pinching out the top of the dahlias, sprinkle about 2-3 hands of fertilizer (5-10-10) in a 2 foot circle around the plant, cultivate lightly and water.