Might as well enjoy the bloom now- the pinching off should have happened when the stem had about 2 sets of leaves. Be sure to dead-head when the bloom is spent & you will be just fine- it will send out side shoots just as if you had stopped it earlier. The trimming of extra shoots is done early on- when planting if there is more than one eye you pinch of the extras. Now is OK to take off the spindly stems.

Plant Lady --

Thanks for the advice. I'm glad I asked before I went out with the clippers.

JR

Not to question you, but the plant is only 1 foot high and budding? when did you plant? February? It usually takes 90 days to get a flower and it is would have to be a very dwarfed variety to be blooming that small. Are you sure it's a bud and not a new leaf clump?

Well, now you have me thinking. It looked like a bud, but I'm going to double check. Since writing the original question, I've noticed the same thing on another plant. They were not supposed to be drawf plants -- they were supposed to be 4'. I did plant them in late February.

I'll let you know what I find (might include a picture if I can figure out how to do it).

Thanks -
JR

Well, I checked -- it's a bud alright and there is one on another dahlia that's only 12-14" high to. Am I doing something wrong?

It sounds like what I call a "bedding dahlia" shorter, meant for edges of gardens or pots, rather than it's taller cousins.
Perhaps that's what explains it's early budding and shortness. Just a guess. I'd say, just enjoy the bloom whenever it shows up.

This is my first time growing the tall dahlias. I started the tubers indoors, and they are getting quite big now. My question is regarding pinching them back. As I understand it, you pinch out all side shoots and disbud side buds in order to get larger flowers. This would give you larger flowers but less of them, right? I'd prefer more flowers even if they were a little smaller, so I am wondering, should I let them grow naturally without pinching? Or, are they pinched in the same way as other annuals, to give you more bloom? I've grown the shorter, bedding dahlias but these seemed to take care of themselves, and I am not sure about the tall ones.

Well I hope it's not a bedding dahlia - I already have those and the ones I purchased were supposed to be 4 feet tall. Oh well, as long as the flowers are pretty, I'll be happy.

Thanks!!

JR

Sometimes the taller ones esp. if started in pots early will bud up when short. Don't worry about it- we've had Zorro, Simon's Honor & Ivory Palaces put out a top bud at 1-1 1/2' & then go on to grow the usual 4-5' as the season goes on.

Excellent news plantlady -- because now even more have buds at that height - this is my first year and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

JR