Dahlia Plant Stages of Growth

Dahlias are beautiful flowers that are available in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. These plants are popular among gardeners because of their stunning blooms and easy-to-grow nature. If you’re planning to grow dahlias, it’s important to understand the different stages of growth that these plants go through. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the various stages of dahlia plant growth.

Stage 1: Planting

The first stage of dahlia plant growth begins with planting. Dahlias can be grown from seeds or tubers. If you’re starting from seeds, you should plant them indoors about six weeks before the last frost date in your area. Once the seedlings have grown to be about 6 inches tall and have a few sets of leaves, they can be transplanted outdoors.

If you’re starting with tubers, you should plant them directly into the ground after the last frost date in your area. Make sure to choose a location that receives full sun for at least six hours a day.

Stage 2: Vegetative Growth

The second stage of dahlia plant growth is vegetative growth. During this stage, the plant will focus on growing leaves and stems. You’ll notice that the plant is getting larger and taller as it puts on new growth.

It’s important to make sure that your dahlias are getting enough water during this stage. They should be watered deeply once a week if there’s no rainfall in your area.

Stage 3: Bud Formation

The third stage of dahlia plant growth is bud formation. During this stage, you’ll start to see buds forming on the plant. These buds will eventually bloom into beautiful flowers.

It’s important to continue watering your dahlias deeply during this stage. Additionally, you may want to fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.

Stage 4: Flowering

The fourth stage of dahlia plant growth is flowering. This is the most exciting stage for gardeners because it’s when the plant produces its beautiful blooms. Dahlias will continue to produce flowers throughout the growing season, which typically lasts from mid-summer until the first frost.

It’s important to deadhead your dahlias during this stage. Deadheading involves removing spent blooms from the plant to encourage it to produce more flowers. Additionally, you should continue to water and fertilize your dahlias to ensure that they stay healthy and produce as many blooms as possible.

Stage 5: Dormancy

The final stage of dahlia plant growth is dormancy. Once the first frost hits, your dahlias will start to die back. The leaves and stems will turn brown and dry up, and the plant will enter a period of dormancy.

At this point, you should cut back the dead foliage and lift the tubers out of the ground if you live in an area with harsh winters. Store the tubers in a cool, dry place until it’s time to plant them again in the spring.

FAQ

How often should I water my dahlias?
Dahlias should be watered deeply once a week if there’s no rainfall in your area.

When should I fertilize my dahlias?
You should fertilize your dahlias with a balanced fertilizer during the vegetative growth stage and throughout the flowering stage.

How do I deadhead my dahlias?
To deadhead your dahlias, simply pinch or cut off spent blooms at their base.

When should I lift my dahlia tubers?
If you live in an area with harsh winters, you should lift your dahlia tubers out of the ground after the first frost and store them in a cool, dry place until it’s time to plant them again in the spring.