Some of our favorite flowers don’t last very long. Is that why we love them so much? Is it their ethereal beauty? Dahlias are in this group!
Dahlias are absolutely stunning when in bloom, with their diverse colors and forms lighting up any garden. And while growing dahlias is deeply rewarding, having the ability to cut and enjoy dahlias as bouquets and arrangements takes their beauty to another level.
With proper care, cut dahlias can last up to a week or even longer in a vase, allowing you to appreciate their splendor for days on end. Follow this complete guide to learn how to properly cut, condition, and care for your cut dahlias so they look their best for as long as possible.
When and How to Cut Dahlias for Maximum Vase Life
Timing is everything when it comes to cutting dahlias. Here are some tips on when and how to cut your stems:
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Cut in the early morning or late evening – The coolest times of day are best for cutting. Avoid mid-day heat.
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Cut when the blooms are half to fully open – Do not wait until they are fully open, as dahlias do not continue opening once cut.
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Use clean, sharp pruners or garden scissors – Make sure your tool is sharp for clean cuts that won’t crush stems.
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Cut stems longer than you need – You can trim more off later, but you can’t add length back! 8-12 inches is a good starting point.
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Cut at an angle above a node – Cutting at an angle increases surface area for water intake The node is the swollen knob on the stem where leaves emerge,
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Remove all foliage that would sit below the water line – Leaves promote bacterial growth which will shorten vase life.
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Immediately place in water – Don’t let the stems dry out. Place in a bucket of lukewarm water right after cutting.
Following these simple tips as you cut your dahlias will help maximize hydration and prevent air embolisms that block water flow
Conditioning Dahlias After Cutting
Dahlias benefit greatly from initial conditioning treatments right after cutting. Here are two methods to try:
Hot water treatment – Immerse the cut stems in 160-180°F water for 30 seconds up to 2 minutes. This helps force out any trapped air bubbles and allows better water uptake through the hollow stems.
Cut flower food – Use a commercial flower food like Floralife or make your own DIY recipe. This provides nutrients, sugars, and acids to nourish the blooms. Follow package directions.
After conditioning, re-cut the stems and place immediately into clean water. If properly conditioned, dahlias do not need to be re-treated if cut again.
Caring for Dahlias in a Vase
Once cut and initially conditioned, caring for dahlias is quite simple. Here are tips for maintaining their beauty:
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Use clean vases – Wash thoroughly before placing flowers to prevent bacteria.
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Use cool water – Warm water promotes bacterial growth. Refresh vases with cool tap water or bottled water.
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Change the water daily – Re-cutting stems every 2-3 days allows for better water flow as well.
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Add flower food – Continue adding flower food as directed on the package.
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Display out of direct sunlight – Direct sun can overheat blooms causing them to wilt. Bright indirect light is best.
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Keep leaves out of the water – Leaves quickly decay promoting bacterial growth. Remove all foliage below the water line.
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Mist blooms occasionally – Misting helps hydrate blooms and washes away dust. Use soft or distilled water.
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Enjoy your flowers! – Dahlias can last 5-7 days or even longer. But don’t let them go to waste! Display in Arrangements and enjoy their beauty.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Cut Dahlias
Even with proper care, you may encounter some issues with your cut dahlias. Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:
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Wilting or drooping blooms – This usually indicates insufficient water uptake. Re-cut stems and condition again with hot water or flower food.
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Cloudy or foul smelling water – Bacteria is likely growing. Change water, wash vase thoroughly, and trim stems again.
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Stems bending and kinking – Soft stems usually signals the end of vase life. Enjoy flowers as long as possible and cut new stems.
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Botrytis or other fungi – Gray fuzzy mold indicates botrytis fungus. Remove affected flowers immediately and avoid wetting blooms when watering.
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Discolored leaves – Yellowing leaves are natural as flowers age. But if water is cloudy, bacteria may be blocking water flow to leaves.
With proper conditioning, clean water, and care, your cut dahlias should provide a beautiful focal point in your home for 5-7 days or more! Pay attention for any signs of trouble and take action promptly to maximize vase life.
Caring for Dahlias After the Growing Season
While cut dahlias give us wonderful temporary enjoyment, caring for your dahlia tubers after the growing season is crucial for enjoying flowers year after year. Here are some tips:
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Allow frost to kill foliage – Avoid cutting back plants yourself. Let a light frost blacken and kill the foliage.
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Cut stems to 4-6 inches after frost – Stems can then be cut back to just above the ground once foliage is dead.
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Dig up tubers after first frost – Avoid early freeze damage. Use a garden fork to carefully lift clumps.
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Gently wash and dry tubers – Washing removes excess soil. Dry tubers in the sun for 2-3 hours.
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Divide and inspect tubers – Break apart tuber clumps. Inspect for rot or damage. Discard any diseased portions.
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Store tubers over winter – Pack tubers in vermiculite, sawdust, or peat moss. Store dormant tubers at 45-50°F.
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Plant again in spring! – Well-stored tubers will reward you with vigorous growth and flowers year after year.
Storing tubers properly over winter provides the energy for lush, floriferous plants when replanted. With proper care, you can enjoy gorgeous cut dahlias from your garden for many seasons to come.
Frequently Asked Questions about Caring for Cut Dahlias
How long do cut dahlias last in a vase?
With proper conditioning and care, cut dahlias can last 5-7 days or even longer in a vase. Flower size, growing conditions, and variety also impact vase life.
How often should I change the water for cut dahlias?
Change the vase water every 1-2 days. Re-cutting the stems every 2-3 days also improves water uptake. Use clean, cool water each time.
What’s the best temperature for vase water?
Cool tap water around 60-68°F is ideal. Warm water speeds up bacterial growth reducing vase life.
Should I remove leaves that will sit under the water line?
Absolutely! Remove all foliage that will sit in the water, as decaying leaves provide food for bacteria.
Can I use an aspirin in the vase water for cut dahlias?
A crushed aspirin contains salicylic acid that can help extend vase life. Use 1/4 tablet per quart of water.
How cold can I keep stored dahlia tubers over winter?
Ideally store dormant tubers between 45-50°F. Avoid letting tubers freeze but cooler temperatures prevent premature sprouting.
When should I dig up and store my dahlia tubers for winter?
Dig up tubers within 2-3 weeks after the first light frost of fall. Allow foliage to be killed back by frost before digging up.
Can I cut back my dahlia plants before frost?
It’s best to leave your dahlia plants intact until killed by frost. Cutting back too early can reduce energy stored in the tubers.
How do I revive limp dahlia blooms?
Recut the stems and condition again with hot water or flower food to improve water flow. Stems may need clipped every few days as blooms age.
What causes botrytis or gray mold on dahlia blooms?
The fungal disease botrytis cinerea thrives in cool, wet conditions on many flowers including dahlias. Avoid wetting blooms when watering to help prevent.
Bringing the Beautiful Blooms Indoors
Dahlias are the quintessential late summer and fall flower. Their diverse forms and vivid colors enliven any garden. While growing dahlias is deeply fulfilling, the ability to cut and enjoy
For the Home Gardener:
Before we begin, let’s set some expectations. Dahlias are a shorter vase life flower. There’s no way around it- it’s not gonna last 2 weeks. On average dahlias last from 3-7 days. Rarely do I find a variety that goes longer than 7 days. However there are some basic tips to get the longest life possible out of your blooms. (And don’t you dare skip this part b/c everyone thinks they know this but almost everyone doesn’t do at least one of these!)
- Clean the bucket, vase, or vessel that your flowers are going to go into. Yeah, yeah, yeah— We know this. But really, do you? Most of the time, when people come to pick up flowers, they just grab any old bucket, and it’s always dirty. Florist and retail customers alike. I rarely see nice clean buckets. I know that some people clean their bucket when they get home or to work, but by then, the bacteria has already been spread to the flowers. Bacteria are the main reason why vase life is short. The bucket should be so clean that you would let your kids drink from it.
- Clean and Sharpen Your Clippers—Make sure you clean your clippers often. Like at least once a week. One way to clean them is to scrub them or dip them in alcohol. It doesn’t really matter how you clean them; just do it. Additionally, make sure they are clean and sharp, and use real clippers—kitchen and craft scissors aren’t designed for cutting flowers. If you’d rather cut with scissors than clippers, there are floral scissors that can work. ARS is my favorite brand, and the light duty fruit pruner is great for picking fruit.
- Harvest early in the morning or late at night. If you live in a hot area, never cut in the middle of the day. I always feel bad for northern farmers in the summer because they get to work all day. The plants have the most sugar in the morning, so that’s when you should cut them. The plants will re-hydrate faster. If you’re not a morning person, though, the evening will work too.
These 3 tips work with all cut flowers but now let’s talk about dahlias specifically. Last week, I talked to another grower about vase life, and we were sharing how we do things. Again, like many other times, each grower I talk to does it a little differently. So I’m going to tell you how I do it; yours may be different! Why isn’t it “one size fits all”? Because dahlias are more sensitive to changes in water (city or well, minerals in the water, etc.), how wet the plants are in the field, the weather, and other things. Time of year is also very important. In the summer, vase life drops by one to two days. In the fall, vase life increases by the same amount.
I’m going to talk about this from 3 points of view: