Overwatering is one of the main reasons why Dahlias tend to die, too much water around the roots and the tubers will sooner or later start to rot. The main issue with Dahlias is that they tend to be relatively thirsty plants, especially when flowering, so a lot of people end up overwatering them, thinking they are doing a good job. While the occasional overwatering doesn’t really harm Dahlia plants, but do it too often, and sooner or later the Dahlias will start to suffer.
If your dahlia leaves are yellow, droopy, soft to the touch, and have brown tips, it is likely due to overwatering. Tuberous roots of dahlias can become waterlogged easily, leading to clogged vascular systems and issues like root and stem rot. Proper drainage is essential to prevent excessive moisture and maintain the health of the plant.
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Keep in mind that damage from overwatering is not always a result of watering the plants with too much water. Oftentimes, poor soil conditions can have the same results as overwatering, especially if you have compacted clay soil. A poorly draining soil can hold on to the water for a fairly long time, and even if you water the Dahlias less often this water in the soil can accumulate and can start to rot the tubers.
The problem is that overwatering and underwatering Dahlias have usually the same signs and results, with one exception, underwatered Dahlia leaves and stems will dry out in a matter of days, while overwatered Dahlias will often rot away. If the Dahlia leaves are drooping then check out my recent article Dahlia Leaves Drooping ( Top 7 Reasons ).
Signs Of Overwatering Dahlias
Overwatering can have detrimental effects on dahlias, and it is important to recognize the signs to prevent damage to the plants. One of the primary signs of overwatering in dahlias is yellowing or wilting leaves. The leaves may appear droopy, and soft, and may even show signs of rot or decay. Additionally, overwatered dahlias may exhibit stunted growth, with smaller and weaker stems and fewer blooms. The soil around the dahlia plant may become waterlogged, leading to poor drainage and the potential for root rot. To avoid overwatering, it is essential to monitor the moisture levels of the soil, allow the top few inches to dry out before watering, and ensure proper drainage in the planting area.
Wilting
The most common sign of Dahlias being overwatered is that they start to wilt, usually, their leaves will wilt but the stem will stay erect. The problem with wilting is that Dahlias that don’t get enough water will also wilt, and sometimes it can be difficult to actually identify what is causing the wilting. If the wilted Dahlia doesn’t recover after being watered, then the issue might be with excess water trapped in the soil.
In this case, stop watering the Dahlias for a couple of days, and if they bounce back then they were definitely suffering from overwatering. Only water the Dahlias if the top inch of the soil is actually dry, if it is moist then check the next day. If the Dahlia leaves are turning yellow then check out my recent article Dahlia Leaves Turning Yellow ( Top 11 Reasons ).
Black Mold Growing On Top Of The Soil
One of the easiest overwatering signs is black mold growing on top of the soil. This usually tends to happen with potted Dahlias but in certain cases, it can happen to Dahlias planted in the garden as well. Molds and fungi need a lot of moisture in order to survive, and if you water your Dahlias with soo much water that they can also grow then you are definitely overwatering. In this case, cut back on watering, and you will see the black mold will disappear in a matter of days.
Soft And Mushy Leaves
If the Dahlia leaves are soft and mushy then they are definitely being overwatered, these leaves are oftentimes so saturated with water that they might even start to rot. If the leaves of the Dahlias are soft and mushy then there is a high probability that the roots and the tubers are also being affected. The leaves of overwatered Dahlias will also change color, usually from pale green to yellow or brown.
If only a couple of leaves are soft and mushy then simply cut them off, and stop watering the Dahlias for a couple of days. If most of the leaves are soft and mushy then dig up the Dahlia tubers, cut off any soft tubers, and replant them into an area where the soil is well draining. With some luck, new Dahlia leaves will appear in a week or two, although they are less likely to actually flower.
Brown Leaf Tips
If you are growing houseplants as well, then you are probably familiar with brown leaf tips. Dahlias can also develop these brown leaf tips, and usually, it tends to happen when they are overwatered. Once there is way too much water in the soil, the Dahlia roots will stop absorbing the excess water, and oftentimes the leaves will start to suffer and develop these brown leaf tips. For the most part, brown leaf tips on Dahlia plants aren’t something to really worry about, just cut back on watering and the situation will fix itself. If the Dahlia leaves are curling then check out my recent article Dahlia Leaves Curling ( Top 8 Reasons ).
Dahlia Tubers And Roots Rotting
Dahlia tubers and roots rot when they sit in water for prolonged periods of time, although in certain cases they can even rot while being stored during the winter. Don’t dig up your Dahlia tubers just yet, if the plant looks healthy then don’t stress it out. You should remove the rotten tubers and roots while you dig your Dahlias up and right before you plant them out in the spring. In this case, make sure to remove the damaged tuber as well, as these will sooner or later rot.
Key Takeaways
- The most common sign of overwatering Dahlias is wilting, although wilting can also be a sign that the plants don’t get enough water. If black mold is growing in the soil around the Dahlias or their leaves are brown, soft, and mushy then they are definitely being overwatered. If the Dahlia tubers and roots rot in the soil, then they have either been overwatered or the soil is poorly draining.
- Dahlias do need some extra water while they are flowering, although make sure not to drown them in too much water.
- Overwatered Dahlias in pots will usually have black mold growing on top of the soil.