Dahlia Problems: 7 Things That Can Go Wrong

We love dahlias . It is always special that such unattractive tubers can grow such beautiful flowers. Are you disappointed with your flowering? Are you not getting any flowers at all? Or are you experiencing other problems with your dahlia? Then read on, because there are many moments when growing dahlias can go 'wrong'.

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Depending on where you live and the soil you are gardening on, it may be wise to dig up the tubers in the fall and store them indoors in a dry, dark place. For example, if you leave the tubers in heavy clay soil where water remains, there is a good chance that the tubers will rot.

But rot can also occur when overwintering dahlias . Check your tubers for rot every now and then. As soon as a part is affected, you should prune it away as soon as possible, otherwise there is a big chance that the entire tuber will be damaged. Let your tubers dry out well before storing them, so that they do not end up damp in winter storage.

Just as rot can be a problem in winter storage, so can dehydration. You will quickly notice if (part of) the tuber has dried out: it looks wrinkled and also feels light. Do you often suffer from this? Then try not to store the tubers too clean in the autumn. Some people like to spray the tubers clean (for example, you can see the eyes more easily), but there is also a risk that your tubers will dry out faster. Let them dry well before you put the tubers in their winter storage, but do not remove all the soil.

Gall is a common disease in dahlias that you can recognize by the crazy growth on the tubers. This can cause your dahlias to not grow well or to produce few flowers. Unfortunately, the disease is very contagious. As soon as you come across the gall, remove the tuber from the ground as soon as possible and throw it away, including all plant parts and the soil.

Snails love the young green of the plant. Have you spotted new shoots that later disappeared like snow in the sun? There is a good chance that a snail has feasted on your dahlia. If you have a lot of trouble with snails in your garden, it is advisable to bring your dahlias indoors . That way, the plant is already a bit bigger when you plant it out - and the leaves are a bit less tasty for snails.

Still having trouble with snails? You can use copper tape or rings to deter snails. And if the plague is really too big, you can use nematodes to combat the snails in an organic way.

Tip: you can buy nematodes and anti-slug rings at Rootsum.