Dahlias: Key October job will ‘squeeze a last bloom’ out and ‘extend their flowering season’ says Monty Don
Mulching dahlias will protect them for months to come
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A simple task to master could be the key to extending colourful hues in your garden throughout autumn.
Removing the heads of spent flowers may enable gardeners to squeeze out a last bloom from their dahlias this month, according to Monty Don.
The horticulturalist shared: “Keep deadheading throughout October, particularly the equatorial plants like dahlias.
“This will extend their flowering season and squeeze the last bloom from them.
Monty Don recommends deadheading all equatorial plants this month
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“Spent dahlia flowers can be tricky to differentiate from unopened buds, but the foolproof difference is that when they have finished flowering, they become pointed and a cone shape, whereas the unopened buds are rounded.”
Deadheading - one of the most crucial gardening techniques - simply describes the removal of dead flowers from plants.
Not only does this help maintain the visual appeal of the flower beds, borders and containers, but it also gives the plants a new lease of life.
By removing spent blooms, gardeners redirect the plant’s energy away from seed production and towards strong growth and increased flower production.
This encourages plants to continue blooming for longer periods, resulting in more vibrant and prolific displays throughout the growing season.
Deadheading should not be confused with pruning, which involves the removal of branches stems and foliage.
The blooming season of the dahlias generally starts in July, with most flowers already in full display by August.
September is typically the heaviest blooming period for most gardeners, while the production of flowers starts slowing down in October.
This coincides with lower light levels and shorter hours of daylight, but their deadheading can ensure you get the most from your flowers.
Other flowering species that benefit from deadheading in October include Camellia, Agapanthus, peonies, roses and cosmos.
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As tubers, dahlias typically perform best when kept in rich soils with plenty of added nutrients. They are also thirsty so benefit from additional hydration in dry and hot weather.
In the cooler conditions of October, the flowers need less water, as too much liquid around the base of the plant could pave the way for root rot.
As frost begins to settle in later in the month, gardeners should consider mulching the plants to prevent weed growth.
Experts at the National Dahlia Society recommend using one straw mulch at a rate of one bale per 20 plants.