Do You Need to Stake Dahlias? A Guide to Proper Support

Dahlias are known for their beautiful showy blooms that come in a rainbow of colors. But those large heavy flower heads need proper support to reach their full potential. Staking dahlias prevents flopping stems, minimizes storm damage, and allows for better air circulation and pest control. Read on to learn when staking is necessary and the best methods for stabilizing your dahlia plants.

Which Dahlias Need Staking?

Not all dahlias require staking. The shortest varieties under 2 feet tall, such as border or bedding dahlias, generally remain upright without assistance Taller types that grow over 2 feet high benefit from staking Large-flowered specimens like dinnerplate and decorative dahlias especially need support to display their blooms properly.

Windy or stormy locations make staking more critical for any height dahlia. Heavy rain and winds can batter unstaked plants, snapping stems and bruising delicate petals.

Containers also call for staking even short dahlias The confined soil volume and weight of the pot makes plants prone to toppling over.

When to Stake Dahlias

Install staking at planting time or shortly after. This avoids damaging swollen tubers and an extensive root system later on. Wait too long and you risk breaking branches that have become stiff and woody.

For best results, stake dahlias when:

• Plants are 6-12 inches tall
• There are 4+ sets of leaves
• Rapid growth phase begins

Young plants recover quickly from the disturbance of adding stakes. Build your support system as plants grow. Don’t wait until they are already flopping over.

Staking Materials for Dahlias

You have several options when it comes to staking materials. Choose based on your specific needs and budget.

Wood Stakes

• Ideal for staking individual plants
• Use 1.5-2 inch wide, 5-6 foot tall stakes
• Drive stakes 12+ inches into the ground

Bamboo Poles

• Another good choice for individual plants
• Use 1 inch diameter poles, 5-6 feet long
• Place 2-4 poles around each plant

Metal Rebar

• Lasts for many years
• Easy to drive into heavy, compacted soil
• Use 6 foot lengths, one per plant

Tomato Cages

• Quick and easy for individual plants
• Use tall, heavy duty cages
• Anchor cage base securely

String or Twine

• For mass plantings, run lines of string between corner posts
• Use strong T-posts or 2×2 stakes at corners
• Keep strings 12-18 inches apart vertically

Staking Techniques for Proper Support

No matter which materials you choose, follow some basic techniques for securing dahlias:

• Place stakes 6-12 inches from the main stem to avoid puncturing tubers or damaging roots.

• Drive stakes at least 12 inches deep into the ground, more in loose or sandy soils.

• Tie main stems to stakes loosely as they grow. Allow some slack so stems can sway.

• For tomato cages and bamboo poles, securely anchor the base in the ground.

• Check ties frequently and adjust as needed through the season.

• Add tiers of string as plants grow taller, keeping lines 12-18 inches apart.

• Remove lower leaves that would be inside cages or touching string.

• Stake before plants get top heavy and start to flop over.

Pros and Cons of 5 Staking Approaches

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the most common staking techniques and their respective pros and cons.

1. Wooden Stakes

This traditional method involves driving sturdy wooden stakes beside each plant and affixing stems to the stakes as they grow.

Pros:

• Provides excellent anchoring and stem support
• Lets you adjust ties throughout season
• Creates a neat, contained look

Cons:

• More labor intensive for large plantings
• Stakes can loosen over time and require re-securing

2. Bamboo Poles

Bamboo garden stakes offer flexibility and are easy to work with. Circular arrangements work best.

Pros:

• Quick to install around plants
• Easy to find and inexpensive
• Flexible poles move in wind without damage

Cons:

• Multiple poles per plant take up space
• Circular rings may look unsightly or unnatural

3. Tomato Cages

These ready-made wire cages offer built-in stem support. Size and anchor them properly.

Pros:

• Provide all-around anchoring
• Easy to set up around plants
• Keep foliage contained inside cage

Cons:

• Can bend or collapse if not sturdy enough
• Tend to be more expensive than other staking options
• Cages may detract from beauty of plants

4. Metal Rebar

For super sturdy stakes that will last indefinitely, metal rebar is a top choice.

Pros:

• Creates extremely stable, long-lasting stakes
• Not visible behind plants like wood stakes
• Can pound into dense, compacted soil

Cons:

• Requires more work to cut rebar into stakes
• Only anchors the main stem, not branches
• Risk of rust over time if rebar is not galvanized

5. String or Twine

Running a web of string between corner posts allows staking whole rows or beds of dahlias at once.

Pros:

• Supports multiple plants efficiently
• Inexpensive and easy to install
• Can leave ties up year after year

Cons:

• Not as tidy looking or effective as individual staking
• Plants can push through string and require adjustment
• Corner posts can shift and require re-securing

Caring for Staked Dahlias

Once your dahlias are staked, be diligent about maintenance:

• Check ties weekly and adjust as needed through the season.

• Remove spent blooms and cut back excessive growth to keep plants tidy.

• Water and fertilize regularly to support vigorous growth.

• Inspect for pests like earwigs that can hide within support structures.

• Remove lower leaves that touch cages or string to allow air circulation.

• Stake earlier next year to limit plant disturbance.

Remember Proper Staking for Healthy Dahlias

Staking is crucial for keeping tall, top-heavy dahlias from toppling over and sustaining damage, especially in exposed, windy gardens. Take the time to install staking at planting using one of the techniques discussed. Your dahlias will reward you with vibrant, upright blooms all season long.