Want to know how to pinch dahlias? Dahlias are one of the most beautiful flowers to grow. Many gardeners and florists love to grow dahlias because they look beautiful on bouquets, vases, and other flower arrangements.
Flower enthusiasts have many different types of dahlias to choose from. They come in different colors like pink, lavender, white, peach, red, yellow, and multi-color as well, and the sizes of the flowers range from two inches to twelve inches wide!
Dahlias grow fine on their own, but pinching them can help your plants produce more flowers. Read on to learn more about how to pinch dahlias.
Why Pinch Dahlias?
Cutting your dahlia’s main bud will encourage more growth on the lower stem, leading to the development of new stems. Your plants will grow two shoots instead of one main stem. When you pinch dahlias, your plant will focus its energy on producing leaves and stems rather than buds. It may take an additional 7 to 14 days to see blooms, but gardeners would rather wait so they could reap stronger and fuller plants. Additionally, you’ll also experience longer-lasting blooms that you’ll enjoy well into October.
Cutting flowers during summer or early for your arrangements and bouquets is also as beneficial as pinching. It keeps your plants healthy and it encourages more buds to develop. Lastly, deadheading also helps your dahlias bloom beautifully.
When and How to Pinch Dahlias
Now that you know why you need to pinch dahlias, the next thing you need to know is when and how you should do it.
The best time to pinch your flowers is when they’re around 12 to 15 inches tall and they have at least four to five sets of leaves on the center stem. At this rate, your dahlias are growing quickly and they’ll easily recover from the pinching.
Here’s what you need to know about pinching dahlias:
When your plants are tall enough, pinch off the top part of the plant (above the leaves). This process is also referred to as “topping” your plants.
To properly pinch your dahlia plant, you can use gardening shears, scissors, or even your fingers. However, make sure to do it gently so you can’t tear the stem. You can continue to pinch your dahlias to encourage new growth and more flowers as they grow. If you want to grow larger flowers, you can pinch a few buds in areas where several are grouped.
The Benefits of Growing Dahlias in a Mini Greenhouse
Growing dahlias in a greenhouse ensure that your flowers will successfully bloom. There are several other benefits of growing plants in a mini greenhouse. Here are some of them:
Protection from pests and diseases
Dahlias are prone to attract thrips, mites, leafhoppers, and aphids. They can also catch several diseases such as stem rot, mosaic virus, aster yellows, viral issues, and botrytis. If you keep your plants inside a mini greenhouse, it reduces the risk of contracting diseases and attracting harmful pests that can damage or even kill your plants.
Great for gardeners without enough space to plant
If you want to plant flowers or crops but you don’t have enough space, you can use a greenhouse. A mini greenhouse is the most cost-effective version of the large greenhouses most people are familiar with. Its standard size of six feet makes it easier for homeowners to place their greenhouses in balconies, patios, and decks. If the standard size is still too large for you, there are smaller options that can fit tabletops.
Perfect for gardeners who want to learn about greenhouse gardening
Interested in learning about greenhouse gardening? A mini greenhouse is a perfect place to start. It’s cheaper than the regular-sized greenhouses, yet it provides the same benefits. You’ll be able to learn the ropes without having to shell out thousands of dollars. You can learn the ideal growing conditions of your favorite plants and how they grow inside a greenhouse.
Start growing your plants early
With a mini greenhouse, you can start growing your dahlias even before planting season begins. Greenhouses allow you to control the temperature inside using heating and cooling systems. Once the weather warms, you can transfer your flowers into your garden or outdoors.
Shield them from harsh weather
Mini greenhouses are great for shielding your plants from bad weather. Keeping them in an enclosed space protects them from snow, frost, drought, heavy rain, and high winds. They’ll continue to grow happily inside your greenhouse until it’s time to transplant or pick them.
Final Thoughts on How to Pinch Dahlias
By pinching your dahlias, you’ll notice a significant improvement in the growth of your plants. You’ll see more lateral shoots that grow into long, upright stems. The flowers that will bloom on these stems will be perfect for bouquets and arrangements.
Once you know how to pinch dahlias, you can enjoy longer-lasting blooms for months! After cutting your stems and flowers, place them in a plastic container with a few inches of boiling water. Let them cool for about an hour. This process can prolong the life of your dahlias and they can last up to a week in your vase, but make sure to change the water every few days.