Dahlias lack of flowers

Hi folks , my first post on her after joining so here goes. I have a half dozen or so dahlias in pots af home here and find there is loads of foliage etc but only a few buds and flowers through the summer , my question is that is there anything I can do to promote more flowers through the growing months , thanks in advance

 

Have they been in the same pots for a while @Johnnyp? If so they would benefit from being repotted in fresh compost and larger pots to allow adequate root development. A soil based compost like John Innes No 3 would be better than multipurpose compost. Once flower buds start to form, feed your plants weekly with a potassium rich fertiliser like tomato feed which helps to promote flowers. Ensure your pots are in full sun and keep the compost well watered but not waterlogged. Welcome!

 

It is very early for Dahlias to be flowering, I wouldn't expect any here until July.

They like a rich soil and regular feeding.

 

Well I am one of those who doesn't lift dahlias each year. Long story for the reason. Every year they come back and flower and each time I dead head more flowers come. This year at the moment no sign of any growth! But then they are always late compared to other gardens. Will wait and see.

 

If its been a common theme with the dahlias over summer then I will just add that they don't flower very well if they are to dry, in to much shade or if you have been using to much fertiliser (you get lush leaf growth if you provide to much nitrogen, its potassium thry need for flowers as mentioned above).

 

@Johnnyp , I think more info is needed, regarding if they have been in pots a few years, what types they are, they range from pretty small to massive, and the situation they are growing in.

 

They are lifted ever year autumn time and wrapped in paper and stored for the winter frost free . They are in pots with plenty of feeding and fresh compost , as to what types they are I'm not sure , they grow to about 12 -14 inches tall , thanks .

 

There are several popular dwarf varieties and generally they are prolific flowerers.

We have grown several different ones over the years, but we start them off from seed each year as they are so easy to grow vs lifting and storing the tubers each year.

Three things that could be going wrong with yours -
Slugs or other pests nibbling the flower buds off ?
Over feeding, too much Nitrogen giving lush growth ? Try using Tomato fertiliser once you put them out.
Some kind of disease ? Time to try some new tubers or seeds ?

One last thing, what size pot do you have each one in and are they kept well watered in a position with some sun ?
Our dwarfs grown from seed and grown on in the garden border, the tubers by the end of the year would need a 10" diameter pot to fit in.

 

Hi many thanks for all answers , the pots are of a decent size for them so thinking it might be too much feeding or the like , shall keep an eye on them and post my findings back , will take some cuttings to try and increase my stock , thanks again all

 

Will try the seeds next year .

 

Pinching out your young plants also encourages bushier growth and more flower production.

 

Are you dead heading?
Just a thought, I remember on one occasion someone was asking about what the dead flowers look like as it can be difficult to tell the new buds from seed heads.
Other than that only use high potash feed and don't start feeding until the pots are full of roots and you can see flower buds.

 

Thank you