Q: I have Purple Gem and White Star dahlias blooming. When I cut the flowers, they die within a day or two. I have cut them with a short stem for single and low flower displays. Is this the problem?
— Randi FischerBolivia, NC
A: Jerry Moreno, president of the Dahlia Society of Ohio, said dahlias are fairly short-lived as cut flowers, but they ought to last longer than a day. His typically last about four, he said.
Moreno said it's possible the short stems could be reducing the flowers' longevity. For most types of dahlias, growers cut the stems about 11/2 feet long for flower shows, he said.
Other factors could be at play, too. Moreno recommended cutting dahlias in the early morning or in the evening after the air has cooled, not in the heat of the day. Fill a bucket with 6 to 8 inches of warm water and take it with you when you cut your flowers, so you can put the stems into the water immediately after cutting.
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