How to Cut Back Dahlias

Dahlias are one of the wonders of the summer garden that never fails to astound with the variety of sizes, shapes and colors. There are low-growing bushes and plants as tall as a man. Dinner plate-sized blooms compete for interest with dainty 2-inch varieties. Dahlias grow from tubers planted in the spring and are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8 to 10, but the tubers can easily be dug up and stored inside until spring. Pinching is an important dahlia maintenance chore as is cutting back when the blooms are spent to force more buds.

Hand pruners
Shovel
Sphagnum moss
Paper bag

Instructions

- 1
  Cut out or pinch out the growing point on top of the plants in early summer. This encourages the plant to bush out. It is an especially important technique on tall plants or those with super-sized blooms because bushier plants need less staking.
- 2
  Remove spent flowers as they occur. If a stem is loaded with blooms, simply cut off the ones that are dead and leave the rest to finish. Cut or pinch off the spent flower at the stem.
- 3
  Practice selective cane reduction. When the stem is completely finished blooming, cut it off to the ground to encourage the formation of more buds and fresh stems. Prune dahlia when the plant and surroundings are dry to prevent introducing fungal disease.
- 4
  Cut all the way back at the end of the season or in spring when growing dahlias in warm climates. The canes rise again in spring and removal of the old simply makes room for the new and improves the appearance of the plant.
- 5
  Take the plant all the way to the ground in climates below USDA zone 8 so you can lift the tubers for storage. Dig out the tubers and allow them to dry for two or three days. Then wrap them in sphagnum moss and place them in a paper bag in a dry location. Replant in spring.

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