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What is causing the petals to fall off my Dahlias!!

flossy1970flossy1970 Posts: 19
in Talkback

Hi all, any ideas what is causing the petals of my dahlia to fall off?

I've noticed little, what look like small wasps that hover & fly in to "feed" off the flowers.

Each morning I inspect and find that at least one head has lost all its petals when the flower was in perfect condition the day before and nowhere near dead.

Could these insects be doing it?......and what are they?

Thanks for your help! D

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hi flossy - the insects you describe will be hoverflies, which are completely harmless pollinators. Are the petals being nibbled or are they just falling? If nibbled, it could be earwigs - they're a common nuisance with dahlias. I think they do drop their petals quite quickly but I don't grow them. I'm sure someone else will offer better advice. image

    If you can post a  pic that will help too. Click on the little oak tree icon in the toolbar and follow instructions.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • flossy1970flossy1970 Posts: 19

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     Thanks Fairygirl! It's good to know the hover flies aren't doing any harm. Have enclosed pictures as suggested. The 2 buds I've shown had full flower heads on yesterday and this is what they were like this a.m. It may be just natural for them to drop so quickly but doesn't make sense?? Any help would be appreciated! xx

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Dahlia flowers don't last long which is why they aren't usually available as cut flowers in florists.  Make sure you cut the seed head off soon after the petals drop to encourage more flowers.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • flossy1970flossy1970 Posts: 19

    Thanks Bob! Good to know nothing is actually wrong, it is just natural. Will do! Thanks again x

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Make sure you remove every single one of the spent flower heads or the dahlias will stop flowering, reasoning that their work is done.
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