How to Pinch Dahlias for more Blooms

Pinching dahlias in Spring is an easy way to get more blooms from your plants. I show you step by step how to pinch Dahlias to get more blooms.

I am a new convert to growing dahlias. I avoided them as having to dig the tubers each Fall seemed like too much work. But I have found they are well worth the effort and now I love them. This will be my fourth year growing dahlias and I continue to learn better ways. When you pinch dahlias you get more bang for your buck!

Pin for Later

If you love dahlias and want more then visit my Dahlias from Cuttings post. It is an easy and free way to propagate your favorites.

Why Pinch Dahlias?

Dahlias will grow just fine without pinching. Now that has been said then why do I pinch back dahlias? Because it results in not only more blooms from a single plant but it also makes them busier and sturdier. This is true of all types of Dahlias.

When to Pinch Your Dahlias

When your dahlias begin to grow in Spring let them get to at least 12 inches to 16 inches tall with 4 sets of leaves on the stalk. This is a rule of thumb but no law so if you plant has gotten a bit taller don’t despair it is not too late.

How to Pinch Dahlias

Find the top sprout on the stem between two leaves and cut off with your pruners or pinch if off with you thumbnail. This one is lower on the plant but that will work too. I was trying to get the best photo for you. If you look to the left you will see the other stems pinched off farther up.

Closer up on this one you can see it towards what your dahlia plant will look like once pinched.

A few weeks later you will see this…

New growth on either side of the pinched area on the dahlia stem.

How does Pinching Dahlias work?

By pinching or cutting back the dahlia stems you are stimulating the plants energy to producing more stems and leaves instead of flower buds. In the video I state I leave one stem alone so it will produce a bud sooner while the cut ones will take a bit longer.

Instead of tall, lanky plants you will have bushier, stronger ones that will be easier to maintain. The big plus is you will get more blooms from each plant.

Dahlias for a Cutting Garden

The most fun is dahlias are the perfect plant for your cutting garden. The more you cut the more flowers it will produce! When they are in full bloom cut flowers frequently for bouquets. Just like pinching, cutting the flowers stimulates new growth and flowers keeping the dahlia healthy and blooming! Win, win.