Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Cut dahlias

I am growing dahlias for my sons wedding and have been experimenting with arrangements. I have conditioned them in hot water before putting them in vases but they wilt after one day! I need them to last at least 2 days,any ideas? 

Posts

  • Hi Paula - they're not the longest-lasting cut flower but mine seem to last 3/4 days with no special treatment - cut, immediately into cool tap water.  I've bought some cut flower food and would expect them to last even longer in this.  It'll of course depend on the variety: my dahlias are something like Arabian Night.  Hope helps!

  • Paula55Paula55 Posts: 2

    Thank you Rob,I'll stop putting them in hot water to condition them!! Thought it was an odd thing to do! I'll let you know!

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    I think the hot water treatment is only for things with hollow stems.

    I just put dahlias in cold water. That said, some last better than others. I find the doubles last better than the bishop single flowers series.

    When is the wedding?

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,905

    Hi Paula. Another tip, Dahlias have to be picked when they are completely open as they won't open in water as most other cut flowers do.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    imageimage The big one is cafe au lait. Very late flowering. Dinner plate size flower.

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,905

    That is so beautiful - and aptly named.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • With Dahlias if you cut them from the plant and when putting them into the vase recut a little bit of the bottom of the stem whilst under the water. It is supposed to prevent an airlock forming and your blooms to last longer. Could be tricky if your vase has a small neck of course.image

  • Pink lilyPink lily Posts: 175

    cut stems at a steep angle so they have more surface area to take up water. 

    Also helps to wash all your vases out with a bleach solution.  Cut flowers are very succeptable to bacteria.  

    That Cafe au lait bloom is fabulous! 

    image

Sign In or Register to comment.