Extend the vase life of dahlia flowers with these tips!
Dahlias should be cut in the early morning or late evening when the flowers are well hydrated. Unlike most other types of flowers, dahlias buds will not open in a vase. Wait to cut the blossoms until they are almost fully open. The back of the flower head should be stiff, and the back petals should stay in place when you rub them.
When harvesting, make deep cuts so you get stems that are 18-24 inches long. To get stems this long, you need to sacrifice side buds. This is hard to do, but it’s the correct way to harvest and will pay off with a consistent supply of long stems.
Immediately after harvest, place the stems into 2-3″ of very warm water that is between 160-180°F. If possible, add flower food into the bucket. For best results, use a large plastic or metal bucket and do not crowd the flowers as steam can damage their delicate petals. After at least one hour of conditioning in the bucket, remove the stems and put them into fresh, clean water.
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