Do Dahlias Multiply? How To Know if Dahlia is Multiplying?

Dahlias multiply by dividing their tubers and growing other identical dahlia flowers. When you first see the dahlias growing, they will have small tubers with a few leaves. As they grow and produce more flowers, their tubers will get larger, and many small new plants may emerge from them. If you want to propagate Dahlias by dividing their tubers, make sure to do it before the plants flower too much because then all the seeds will germinate, and the plant will become quite large!

How To Know if Dahlia is Multiplying?

Dahlias are beautiful flowers that can add a splash of color to any landscape. However, they can be tricky to care for, so it’s important to know the basics. For example, dahlias need lots of water and fertilizer to thrive, so check the stem for signs of thickness and robustness. If you’re still having trouble figuring out what’s going on with your dahlia, Consulting A Professional might be a good option for you. Additionally, to tell if your dahlia is multiplying, look for small flower buds forming into new dahlias. Gently tug on the leaves to see how elastic they are – healthy Dahlias have a hearty grip!

How Do You Multiply Dahlias?

The usual way to make more dahlias is to split the thick roots after storing them for the winter. But dahlia cuttings are almost as easy to root as sweet potato cuttings. You can do it if the supplier can send the tubers at least two months before the date you want to plant them.

  1. Wait until the dahlias are dormant in the fall and cut off a tuber about 2 inches long, cleaning it off any leaves or thorns.
  2. Make an incision halfway down the length of the tuber, making sure to break through any hard outer skin (a sharp knife is best for this).
  3. Gently pry off sections of flesh with your fingers so that you end up with tubers about 1-inch square and ¾-inch thick.
  4. Plant the tubers in loose, shallow soil and water moderately.
  5. Keep an eye on them and fertilize as needed.
  6. When the plants start to grow, thin them out by removing the tallest and most vigorous ones.

When to Dig and Divide Dahlias

You should wait to dig up dahlia tubers in cold places until a real frost has hit the plants and the leaves have turned black and mushy. Cut the main stem and any leaves that have turned black back to about 4 to 6 inches tall. Don’t touch the tubers for at least 10 days. Don’t dig them up too soon because you want the tubers to start hardening and growing as much as possible.

But you don’t want to wait too long because dahlias can only survive in zones 7 to 10, and the tubers will die if the soil temperature drops below 20°F.

It’s best to dig up tubers when it’s not going to rain, and the ground is dry. The stems and leaves will be cut off days before the tubers are dug up, and it’s best to keep water out of the hollow stems, so they don’t rot.

Which Ones Should Be Split?

However, once you become accustomed to dividing your dahlias, you may discover that certain varieties require division more frequently than others. This generally depends on the specific variety. Divide more prolific dahlias annually and our slower-growing varieties every two to three years.

All dahlias, from dinner plate dahlias to decorative dahlias, should be divided. The cut flower varieties that we cultivate for weddings and events, such as the ever-popular Café Au Lait, Peaches and Cream, and Sweet Nathalie varieties, benefit just as much from division as the more conventional ball varieties.