Dahlias wilting after being transplanted is called transplant shock, although all transplanted plants do get a certain level of transplant shock, you should really try to minimize this shock. Plants that are stressed out due to transplant shock tend to deteriorate really fast, especially if the plants are already struggling.
Dahlias wilt after being transplanted is usually due to not enough water or the inability of the plants to absorb water in case their roots or tubers have been damaged. Dahlias roots can dry out relatively fast while you are making the transplant, and dried-out roots will not be able to absorb water no matter how well you water them. If you transplant Dahlias growing in partial shade to a full sun location then they will wilt for a couple of days until they get used to the new conditions.
For the most part, it is normal for newly transplanted Dahlias to wilt, but if you have done everything correctly and the Dahlias are healthy then they should bounce back in a matter of days or even a couple of hours. At what time of the season you actually make the transplant will directly impact the severity of the transplant shock. Dahlias transplanted while they are still dormant will not suffer from transplant shock.
Dahlias that are transplanted in the middle of the summer will suffer from transplant shock and they are very likely to wilt. When Dahlias do not bounce back after being transplanted then they definitely do not like the new location, or there is something wrong with them, in this case, avoid transplanting the Dahlias again. For more common reasons why Dahlais tend to wilt, check out my recent article Wilting Dahlias ( Top 8 Reasons ).
Dahlias Wilting After Transplant
Dahlias may experience wilting after being transplanted due to the shock of the process and the disruption of their root system. Transplanting can temporarily disrupt the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients, leading to wilting. To minimize wilting and help dahlias recover after transplanting, it’s important to provide proper care and support. Water the plants thoroughly after transplanting and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Place a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Providing some shade or protection from direct sunlight for the first few days after transplanting can also help reduce stress. Additionally, avoid overfertilizing, as this can further stress the plants.
Roots Drying Out
One of the main reasons why Dahlias tend to wilt after a transplant is because their roots have dried out. This tends to be a fairly common problem, especially if you are transplanting them in the middle of the summer. Dahlia roots tend to be somewhat sensitive and prone to drying out, if you dig them up and the sun is shining directly on the roots then they will dry out in a matter of minutes.
In addition to this, if you are making the transplant on a windy day, this could also dry the roots out. Dried out roots will not be able to absorb any water, so watering Dahlias that have no healthy roots often leads to the bulbs rotting. In this case, make sure to wrap the Dahlia tubers into some paper and place them out of the reach of the sun until you prepare their new location, or make the transplant as fast as possible. If you want to know how often to water your Dahlias then check out my recent article How Often To Water Dahlias? ( Top 9 Things To Consider ).
Transplant Shock
Even if you do everything correctly while transplanting your Dahlias they might still wilt. This wilting is considered to be normal as the plants have to get used to the new location, soil, and level of moisture. If you transplant your Dahlias from a partial shade location to a full sun location then the wilting will last a bit longer. Although Dahlias love full sun, but if they have been growing in partial shade and then you transplant them into a full sun location they will get a massive shock.
The good news is that plants that suffer from transplant shock tend to recover relatively fast, provided that they are healthy. If the Dahlia tubers or roots have been damaged while you are making the transplant then the transplant shock will last longer and depending on the severity of the damage they might not even be able to recover.
Underwatering
Dahlia tubers that are dormant do not have to be watered after planting, but Dahlias that already have a couple of leaves will need some water after being transplanted. The problem of underwatering after transplant usually is an issue of how fast the soil is draining, and not how much water you give them. This usually happens if you make the transplant in the middle of the summer and it hasn’t rained in the area for some time already.
Dried out soil is extremely hard to rehydrate, and all the excess water you pour on the transplanted Dahlias will usually just run off as dried out soil is really poor at retaining water. In this case, it is a good idea to make the soil around the Dahlias as loose as possible, and even to place a thick layer of mulch on top of it to retain moisture better. If you want to grow your Dahlias in partial shade then check out my recent article Growing Dahlias In Partial Shade ( Top 3 Options ).
Overwatering
Most people tend to drench their plants in water after they have transplanted them, for the most part, this is a good idea as the roots will get saturated with water and they mitigate the transplant shock. However, if there is excess moisture in the soil, or water is pooling around the Dahlia tubers then the actual roots might start to rot, which will result in wilting or even worse, tuber rot.
In this case make sure to dig a deeper hole, and fill it with as much loose soil as possible, this way even if the excess water will pool in the soil it will be deep enough that the Dahlia roots do not come in contact with it.
Potted Dahlias Wilting After Transplant
Dahlias can grow extremely well in pots, however, it really depends on how large the pots are, and on what kind of potting mix you are using. Dahlias can be replanted from the garden into pots, but make sure to use large enough pots. The smaller the pots are the faster water will evaporate from them, thus the Dahlias will wilt. If you let the pots dry out frequently then the soil might get so dry that it compacts and at that point, it will be a nightmare watering the Dahlias.
Plastic pots that are placed in full sun locations will heat up, dry out the soil, and even damage the roots of the Dahlias. If you want to replant your Dahlias and mitigate the effects of transplant shock then make sure to use a larger pot and water the plants after you have replanted them.
Key Takeaways
- The main reasons why Dahlias wilt after being transplanted are due to the roots drying out, transplant shock, underwatering and due to overwatering,
- Avoid transplanting the Dahlias in the middle of the day as their roots might dry out and the wilting could be fatal.
- Make sure to water the transplanted Dahlias in order to mitigate the effects of the transplant shock.