Dahlias, Disbud for Larger Flowers

For specimen show flowers disbudding is vital.

When flower buds in the cluster reach the size of a pea, use your fingers or a knife to remove all but one in a cluster. In addition, to flower buds there may be side shoots or branches developing, remove all of them.

Disbudding is a vital dahlia culture practice if you expect specimen flowers like those shown on planting instructions. In simple terms disbudding means growing one flower per stem since flower buds are usually formed in clusters of 3 or more.

When flower buds in the cluster reach the size of a pea, use your fingers or a knife to remove all but one in a cluster. In addition, to flower buds there may be side shoots or branches developing, remove all of them. Dahlia plants often produce more flower buds than the plant can adequately supply with food.

Disbudded Dahlias can be show stoppers.

Most dahlias with exception of the extremely dwarf ones that reach a height of 12 - 18 inches will respond to disbudding. Those large specimen blooms that are exhibited at flower shows are the result of careful disbudding and close adherence to the other cultural practices.

Frequent watering a must…

The two most serious problems with dahlias, other than disbudding, are the staking and repeated tying of the stems to the stakes and supplying plenty of water. Dahlias stems and flowers are approximately 80% water, consequently they must have plenty and frequent watering. Always try to water during the early morning hours. Late evening or night time watering can prove disastrous in that wet foliage, stems and flower buds are much more subject to diseases.

The best way to water is to lay the garden hose between plantings or rows and turn on a soft, slow stream of water. Allow it to remain in each place for 1 to 2 hours. This will reduce waste of water and give a good, deep soaking which is essential for healthy vigorous growth and flowering.

For more information on dahlias, contact your local county Extension office.