The dahlia is a favorite flower of many gardeners. The plant is classified as a perennial herbaceous plant. Overwintering in open ground has a negative effect on the plant. There are low-growing (height 20 cm) and tall (2.5 meters) plants. It features beautiful lush flowers with pale green leaves. The plant begins to bloom in August and ends flowering in late autumn. But it happens that there are no flowers for a long time or there are no flowers at all. Why dahlias don’t bloom and what to do in this case interests many gardeners. There may be several reasons.
Possible reasons for dahlias not blooming
Perennial plants with unusually beautiful buds decorate the garden from late July to late autumn. Sometimes flowering can be delayed by two weeks. The absence of open buds in mid-August indicates the presence of certain problems with the flower. Or vice versa, there are buds, but they bloom poorly. This also signals certain shortcomings in the care process.
Poor lighting
Wild counterparts of the cultivated plant prefer to grow in well-lit areas. Dahlias require plenty of sunlight to grow and bloom. Lack of lighting is accompanied by a decrease in flowers, a decrease in color saturation, or a complete absence of flowers.
Therefore, before planting, it is recommended to carefully select a place for the dahlia.
If there are no flowers, then nothing can be changed this season. No additional measures taken will help. It is worth transplanting the plant to a more suitable place in the fall or early spring.
Lack of moisture
Along with good lighting, abundant and regular watering is required. The soil must be constantly moist. It is especially recommended to monitor moisture during the first week after planting in open ground. You need to pour at least 6 liters of water onto one bush. Soil impregnation is required to a depth of 40 cm.
Therefore, the reason for the lack of flowers may be a lack of water. Lack of moisture can also cause poor flowering with discreet petal color. To prevent this, you need to water the plant in the morning and evening, then there will be no problems with the bush.
Dry weather
Summer with abnormally high temperatures and lack of rain negatively affects dahlias. The plant stops growing and begins to dry out. The plant simply does not have enough natural strength and nutrients to form a bud and subsequent flowering.
In this case, it is recommended to foresee such a development of events and prevent it. You can mulch the soil with freshly cut grass and water the bushes regularly. This will save the flower from overheating and lack of moisture.
Excess nitrogen fertilizers
Overuse of fertilizers with high nitrogen content throughout the entire growth period is not recommended. This leads to the active formation of green mass, and the maturation of flower buds is inhibited. Nitrogen fertilizing is needed only at the initial stage of the growing season. To do this, you can use bird droppings diluted with water 1:20, mullein infusion (1:10) or superphosphate with ammonium nitrate (20 g of substance per 10 liters of water). Feed no more than 2-3 weeks. Over the entire period it will be up to 4 times.
At the time of flowering, nitrogen is not needed. Phosphorus and potassium are suitable here - superphosphate with potassium nitrate, wood ash or potassium monophosphate. All fertilizers must be diluted with water. You can’t pour it on the bush - make special grooves nearby.
Lack of bush formation
Systematic formation of dahlias is recommended, which involves plucking out excess shoots. This will help the plant distribute nutrients evenly throughout the stem. In the absence of pinching, water with beneficial microelements is redirected to strong and large shoots.
Ignoring this procedure is accompanied by a complete absence of flowers.
Miniature and low-growing bushes do not require pinching. Here the formation of the bush occurs naturally.
Late boarding
Planting unprepared shoots at a fairly late date leads to inadequate flowering. This will be expressed in the scarcity of flowers and pale color. A full-fledged bud requires a lot of strength and nutrients. An unprepared plant is unable to provide these conditions.
To prevent this, it is recommended to pre-prepare the dahlia. You can take it to a greenhouse or greenhouse before planting in open ground and place it in a well-lit place. At the same time, the plant is gradually accustomed to fresh air.
Incorrect division of tubers
If the tubers were not divided into separate ones in the fall, then the next summer the plant will not be able to please with abundant flowering. Such bushes are distinguished by the presence of green mass, but with the absence of buds. This is a mistake that beginner gardeners make. It is recommended to carefully separate the tubers. One tuber planted in the ground produces a lush bush with an abundance of flowers.
They need to be divided in the fall immediately after digging, when they have not yet hardened. When dividing, it is necessary to leave a bud on the tuber. If you look at this moment, there will be no sprout.
What to do to make dahlias bloom as quickly as possible?
Many gardeners strive to ensure that the process of admiring the most beautiful flowers begins as early as possible. This does not require special knowledge or special techniques. In order for the bush to bloom ahead of schedule and be rich in color, it is recommended to perform a number of simple manipulations:
- before planting in open ground, the tubers need to be slightly grown and prepared;
- soil mixed with peat or sawdust retains moisture longer, which will have a beneficial effect on soil moisture;
- a properly selected place with plenty of sunlight will stimulate the bush to ripen buds early;
- also, the regular formation of a bush is accompanied by an even distribution of nutrients and water;
- some gardeners resort to additional stimulants.
If you follow these simple rules, the dahlia will definitely delight you with early flowering and an abundance of beautiful and large buds.
How to prolong the flowering of dahlia?
Dahlias have special flowers that you want to admire until the last day of autumn. To extend the flowering period, do not leave drooping heads on the stem. You need to pick them, then the bush will have an incentive to form new buds. During the frost period, you can cover the dahlia with cellophane. The protection can be removed or left on during the daytime (depending on the temperature).
Properly formed soil before planting will allow the plant to receive nutrients throughout the entire growth period. Uniform distribution of green mass and buds will extend the period of enjoying the most beautiful flowers.
