Mine do that too. I just got some little stakes, the green kind and a roll of what looks like twist ties and I stake them up as needed. My dahlia is new this year but I'm hoping that as the plant matures it will get stronger. My roses do this also.

Julie

My dahlias flopped all over the place this summer. Maybe it was the drought? The color only recently started coming like it was supposed to, as well. It was really washed out all summer. Next year I am going to grow them in a cage.

Okay, I'm no expert, but maybe have something for you to think about. I have both seed grown Dahlias and tuber Dahlias as well. Both this year and last year, the seed grown ones grew as a nice upright bush without the assistance of being staked-ever. The tuber Dahlias (which I bought on clearance for an experiment) seem to kinda grow along the ground, similiar to how a Diffenbacia(sp) houseplant would grow, with the main stems growing horizontal,and all stems would grow up from this main stem. I did not stake these, so I could monitor the growth so I "know better for next year". Those tuber dahlias literally flop all over the place! Some days, the "bush" part of it is on one side, the next on the other. The seed grown ones never do this!

I will NEVER go without tuber dahlias again. I will start purchasing more next year from reputable companies, as I have fallen in love with their blooms, which last forever in a vase. The seed grown dahlias dont last as long, but some blooms are exquisite, such as the 'Diablo'.

However, I will have to consider some staking advice as well. I need to learn whether these should be staked immediately at planting time, or to allow that main stem to grow along the ground a while, then stake the main bush. All my tuber Dahlias (which have very lush, healthy, bushy, green growth) seem to grow about 10 inches along the ground, before starting any stem growth.

Is this growth habit similar to what you are experiencing? Do you have seed grown plants or tubers? We can both learn the reasons for this together! :)

I started these dahlias from seed. They are beautiful bushes, the bushes are fine, they have never flopped over. I guess I wasn't real clear. My problem is the pretty flowers grow on the stem, but right before the the end of the stem, they get bent, so I have a nice bush with tons of flowers, but the stems get bent and aren't strong enough to hold the flower, so basically the flower is hanging upside down. Are they normally this way? Thanks for all your help. Teri.

That's what dahlias do....the flowers sort of hang down.....tip forward.
Linda C

Yes, my dahlias do also hang downwards. Last year, I was unimpressed with this and vowed not to grow them again, but just like everything else I vow not to try, I always do!

I have found a new reason to grow them and love them, and that is when I started experimenting with cut flower bouquets for my home. Dahlias are superb for this! Especially the tuber dahlia blooms, they last far longer than the seed grown ones, oftentimes several days before they look ragged. The seed grown ones will last a few days. Of course, I am still new and practicing at this, and have yet to learn all the specific conditioning needs.

You may also notice that sometimes the flowers are kinda "lobsided", where one side of the bloom is full size and the other side is much shorter.

It sounds like your blooms are doing what they are supposed to. I understand the dissapointment of looking at them this way! I have noticed though, that if deadheaded regularly, the whole bush will remain loaded with blooms, some of which will face upwards.

For me, the only landscaping Dahlias I will grow are the bronze foliage ones, because their foliage color is a great backdrop for other plants. The rest of them, tuber ones included, will be in a cut flower garden from now on.

You might try fertilizing with a fertilizer that has a HIGH last number. This helps produce strong stems and can (but not always) remedy the "weak neck" syndrome (drooping flowers) that affect some flowers, including roses.

This won't fix the immediate problem, but it should gradually help the flowers that form later.

Hope this helps,
Chris

I plant a group of Dahlia tubers each year (usually 3 in a cluster) and I put tall (4-5') stakes behind them early on. It looks bad then, but in no time they are hiding the stake. I tie them all to the stakes as needed. FIrst at about 2' high, then as they grow taller, about 4' high. Sometimes a weak necked stem escapes to the ground, but most of them are tall and straight. I feed and water a lot.

I think I learned my lesson in the past when late summer or fall heavy rains would break huge stems in full bloom. I was crushed. Now I take preventive measures, assuming that a bad rain and wind storm will inevitably show up. Bring it on !!!

As far as downward facing, I suspect it depends on the variety. Mine have always faced outwards.

Yes, Dahlias need support to stay upright and improve air circulation. Here are some suggestions on support for dahlias

Here is a link that might be useful: Support for Dahlias

My dad used to sell dahlias as cut flowers. I remember he did something to the cut stems that made the blooms last longer without flopping. That was 60 years ago and I can't remember the details.

Can anyone help me.