If you want showstopping dahlia blooms this summer, there is one job for you to remember. That is disbudding dahlias, a technique that involves removing side buds to concentrate energy into the main terminal bud.
It may sound cruel to remove buds that will otherwise produce flowers. However, disbudding dahlias gives you larger blooms on a longer stem. This is ideal if you grow dahlias as cut flowers or want to exhibit them in a local show.
Disbudding dahlias is a quick and easy task that rewards you with impressive blooms. To also ensure the best flowers, fertilize dahlias in summer with a product high in potassium and phosphorus, such as this bloom booster fertilizer on Amazon.
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Benefits of Disbudding Dahlias
(Image credit: Future)
For many years, I grew dahlias as cut flowers in a walled garden that was part of a historic garden I looked after. We routinely spent time disbudding dahlias to get the best blooms, but it was a big ask given the numbers we grew.
It should be easier to keep on top of disbudding dahlias on a smaller scale at home. Disbudding is beneficial, but if you forget, it is not the end of the world. You’ll still get lots of, albeit smaller, dahlia flowers to enjoy that will still brighten up any flower beds.
Disbudding dahlias means reducing the number of buds on each to focus energy into the largest. The American Dahlia Society describes it as one of two ‘relatively simple actions that will enhance the appearance’ along with tying in the plants.
‘Remove the outer two buds from the three that develop at the end of each branch,’ they continue. ‘While that reduces the total number of flowers, many flowers remain, and those show up well on the plant.’
When it comes to which two of the three to remove, it is the two smaller buds on either side of the central main bud.
‘If you pinch off those two side buds, the plant gets to put more of its energy into the center bloom, which usually gives you a bigger flower and a longer, cleaner stem,’ says Christina Stembel, the founder at Farmgirl Flowers.
‘If I were growing dahlias specifically for cut flowers, I would absolutely disbud them. That’s really where the technique is most useful,’ she continues.
‘One large bloom on a nice long stem is so much easier to use as a focal flower in a bouquet than three flowers all bunched together at the top. It also gives you a cleaner stem, which makes the flower much easier to arrange.’
Disbudding dahlias is especially recommended for larger dinnerplate types of dahlias that produce huge flowers. Removing the buds allows these impressive blooms to reach their full potential.
If your gardening goal is for bloom-packed displays of dahlias in pots or mixed in flower borders, disbudding may not be for you. You will still get a fantastic, full display of blooms without disbudding dahlias in July or August.
Christina Stembel launched Farmgirl Flowers in San Francisco in 2010. She has grown it into a wildly successful national brand and the only large-scale, woman-owned and predominantly women-led D2C e-commerce flower company.
Farmgirl ships signature burlap-wrapped bouquets, centerpieces, and plants to recipients from coast to coast. Every arrangement is filled with the best-of-the-best, freshest, seasonal flowers and not only does Farmgirl combat the floral industry’s plastic waste issue by wrapping bouquets in upcycled burlap from coffee roasters, but this sustainable style is a bestseller too.
How to Disbud Dahlias
(Image credit: Future)
Start checking your dahlia plants for buds in midsummer, and continue to check regularly and disbud as needed throughout the following weeks. Dahlias continuously produce new buds throughout the flowering season, and need to be checked at least weekly to catch buds when they are small.
‘The best time to disbud is when you can clearly see the three buds, but the two side buds are still pretty small, around pea-sized,’ recommends Christina.
‘I usually just hold the stem gently and pinch them off with my fingers. You can use small snips too, but I find fingers are often easier. Dahlia stems can be a little fragile, so gentle is definitely the key.’
Carefully pinch or snap the buds off where they reach the main stem, avoiding doing any inadvertent damage to the main bud or stem.
It can be safer to use pruners for disbudding dahlias, such as these pruning snips on Walmart, as it reduces the risk of accidental harm. Make sure any pruning tools are clean and sharp to make clean cuts and avoid spreading diseases around your dahlias.
If you want to get longer, cleaner stems for summer flower displays, the American Dahlia Society has one more piece of dahlia pruning advice. They add: ‘For a longer stem, remove one or two pairs of laterals going down the stem. But don’t remove the leaves.’
A pair of pruning snips with long 190 mm chromium blades that are perfect for disbudding and deadheading dahlias through the summer.
Natural Bamboo Plant Stakes
A set of 10 8 ft. x 3/4 in. bamboo stakes that are ideal for supporting dahlias throughout the growing season.
These soft, reusable ties are made from 65% recycled plastic. The Velcro non-slip grip supports plants, while the soft side prevents scratching or damage.
Once your plants are blooming in summer, keep deadheading dahlias for a long display of flowers. Removing the spent flower heads directs energy toward developing new buds and blooms. It is good to check the plants at least weekly for deadheading, cutting back to the next set of buds.
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