Dahlia pinching: making your dahlias bushier and more flowering
Dahlias are one of the stars of the summer garden – their flowers are spectacular. To encourage them not only to grow tall, but also to spread out properly and produce lots of flowers, a small procedure is worthwhile: pinching. Sounds complicated? It isn’t! We’ll tell you why pinching your dahlias is such a good idea and how best to do it.
What does pinching dahlias mean?
Pinching – also known as ‘nipping out’ – involves using your fingers or scissors to remove the top shoot of a young dahlia. This encourages the plant to branch out more. The result: more compact, bushier plants with more flower stems – just what you want in summer!
Why pinch dahlias?
If you let your dahlias grow as they please, they will often shoot up quickly and produce fewer side shoots. Not only does this look bulky, but it also means fewer flowers.
The benefits of pinching at a glance
- Your dahlias will grow bushier and more compact
- More flower buds will be formed
- Plants will be more stable and less likely to tip over
- You will get a longer flowering period due to more even growth.
When to pinch dahlias
Wait until your dahlias have formed about 4 to 6 pairs of leaves. This is the ideal time to pinch off the top of the shoot. Don’t start too early as the plant needs a few leaves for energy.
Rule of thumb: Pinch when the main stem is about 15-20 cm high.
How to pinch out – step by step
- Find the growing tip: Look at the main shoot – the youngest tip with the youngest leaves is at the top.
- Pinch off: Pinch off this tip with your fingers or a clean pair of scissors, just above a pair of leaves.
- Done! That’s all you need to do. Now the plant will take over and produce side shoots from the leaf axils.
Tip: If you have several dahlias in the border, don’t pinch them all at once. This will extend the flowering period as some plants will flower earlier and others later.
What happens after pinching?
Don’t worry: your dahlias won’t resent you for pinching their shoots. On the contrary, after a short time you will see new shoots growing out of the leaf axils. These will later develop their own flower buds and you will be rewarded with lots of well spaced flowers.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Dahlia Pinching
Do dahlias need to be fertilised after pinching?
Not necessarily, but it won’t hurt! After pinching, the dahlia invests energy in new side shoots – a little boost of nutrients can help. It’s best to give it an organic flower food or some compost. Be careful not to over-fertilise as this will result in more leaf mass than flowers.
Can I pinch out some of the shoots?
Yes, absolutely! You don’t need to pinch out all the shoots. Pinching out a few shoots will give you a mix of early and late flowering shoots, which will extend the flowering period. It also allows you to test how sensitive your variety is to pinching. Some will grow nicely bushy anyway, while others may need a little nudge.
What to do if you forget to pinch?
No need to worry – dahlias that have not been pinched will still flower beautifully. They just tend to grow a little taller and thinner. If you notice that they are growing too tall or bending over, you can always support them or cut them back later to keep them more compact. So it’s not a must, but it’s a nice trick for more flowering pleasure