Keeping Your Dahlias Pest Free
As we’re prepping the dahlia patch for the full swing of summer I’ll share all about how I protect our dahlias from common garden pests like slugs, snails, earwigs, aphids, and more.
When dahlias are young, those first tender shoots can be especially tempting to slugs and snails, so I’m sharing what we do early in the season to help protect the plants and keep them growing strong. We’ll also share about why pinching dahlias, keeping the base of the plants clean, watering at the right time of day, and removing lower leaves can all help improve airflow and reduce pest and disease pressure.
I’ll also tell you what to look for if you see holes in your dahlia blooms, how aphids can spread from plant to plant, when neem oil can be helpful, and why feeding your dahlias makes such a big difference in keeping them strong, healthy, and ready to bloom.
If you’re growing dahlias this season, this is a great checklist to help your plants stay healthier from summer into fall!
Starting off Dahlia Season Strong:
Here are the best things to do for your dahlias when they first begin to sprout and throughout the season!
Shake some Sluggo Plus around the base of your plants. This keep snails, slugs and the like away from your new shoots so they have a chance to grow. Replenish the Sluggo after a few rains if it has gotten washed away. (I’ll link all my favorite plant tools and foods at the end of the blog!)
If your plant was eaten by a slug, let it grow back, don’t give up on it! The stalk is still hiding under the soil and will bounce back with a little time.
Pinch your dahlias! This is the MOST IMPORTANT tip I could ever give you! When your dahlia begins to grow a shoot in the middle or a stalk, cut it off at the base, right above those first leaves. This make your plant bush out and grow bigger and healthier… and produce more blooms!
Remove all leaves and other debris from around your plants. This debris will attract spidermites, earwigs and all sorts of little critters to your plants.
Water onto the soil around the base of your plant. NOT on your plant. We use a drip watering system so the water goes directly onto the soil by the base of the plant and not around it or onto it. Soggy foliage can make your leaves burn or the plant get a disease.
Water in the mornings. Allows your plant to soak up as much water as they can throughout the day and lets the soil dry out, so less attracting bugs or disease to your plants! The Ultimate Goal - keep the base of your plants clean, clear and dry so it’s the least desirable for bugs to nest in.
Keeping Your Dahlias Healthy After Initial Growth:
My tips on keeping your plants happy as they begin to mature.
Once your plant has grown to about a foot, or has multiple stalks and leaf sets, strip the very bottom sets of leaves. Creates airflow and discourages warm, damp spaces for bugs and disease - this tip also discourages powdery mildew! Remember not to leave the stripped foliage in your bed.
Spray leaves with neem oil. Neem oil is a natural oil that keeps pests away from your plants. Neem oil can hurt pollinators so be careful not to get any on your blooms so the pollinators stay clean while they’re working away!
If you see aphids on your plant, spray off the plant with water and then cover the foliage with neem oil or a mix of dish soap and water. The neem oil or soap makes the plant slippery so the aphids can’t climb the stalks.
If you’re noticing holes in your dahlia leaves or blossoms you might have earwigs! They love to chew on the blossoms of your flower and love dark, damp areas of your garden. They’ll go away if you are ensuring that the base of your plants is clean, dry and clear from anything making it extra damp or warm.
Once every month of the growing season, water your dahlias with a bit of fish fertilizer. This keeps your soil full of nutrients!
Things to Keep in Mind:
Dahlias come in all different shapes and sizes! Each variety is going to have different foliage, different stalk length, and different rates of growing. Some have dark purple foliage, while others have pale or dark green. Some foliage might be variegated or smooth. Sometimes leaves might look weird if the plant is too hot or too wet. Make sure you’re researching the right cause and keeping and eye out for signs of pests throughout the season!
Happy Gardening!
My Favorite Dahlia Pest Tools
Sluggo Plus: https://amzn.to/4p1PoRf
Neem Oil: https://amzn.to/4eYiJY7
Alaska Fish Fertilizer: https://amzn.to/4p1Png9
Dahlia Essential Tools: https://a.co/d/0e4931ys
Just getting started with gardening or your own dahlia patch? We have tons of tips, tricks and tutorials waiting for you in our garden and dahlia playlists!
🌸 All About Dahlias Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfPIhWGHaEXGUTP_smVbCKbh9cF1Q1Yi5
Garden Tips Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfPIhWGHaEXGqhkGZlH7FJOwVqSAiDZvA
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