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pinching out dahlias

Rosie31Rosie31 Posts: 483
in Plants

My dahlia tubers are sprouting nicely in trays of compost in the greenhouse. Some are getting too tall and leggy for my liking, but I don't want to put them out in the flower beds yet.  If I pinch out the shoots at the tip (like I would with sweet-peas) will that help them bulk up rather than just getting taller?

Posts

  • David The Potting Shed PotterDavid The Potting Shed Potter Posts: 16

    Hi Rosie Pinching them will be fine, I've always pinched dahlia's to encourage bushy growth, And it will always increase your blooms. David

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546

    And you can grow the tips as cuttings to get more of your favourites! Warning - this is a dangerous road to go down, I am getting more and more of them!

  • michael watson3michael watson3 Posts: 1

    never thought about using the pinched tops for cuttings, gonna try that myself now image

  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,538

    Hi there image sorry to jump in, but I'm at the stage where I think I should be pinching out my Dahlia's also. Could somebody tell me whether it's OK to use my deadhead snippers? Lost all my fingernails in the great ash tree root visit to Doves! image

    Thanks for the advice image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    Yes, use your little snippers, cutting back to a pair of leaves - you can also pinch back the sideshoots, so that they grow bushier image

    Wipe your snippers afterwards - good garden hygiene practiceimage


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,538

    Brilliant! Thanks Dove! Will do! imageimage

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