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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?
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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!
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!
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?
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.
That is so beautiful - and aptly named.
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.
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!