How to prune dahlia 'penhill watermelon'

Pinch in late spring; disbud and deadhead through the growing season. Pinch the growing tip above the third leaf pair when plants reach 40 cm. For maximum bloom size, remove all side buds on a stem, leaving only the terminal bud. Cut spent blooms back to the nearest healthy lateral bud or leaf joint.

Pinch once; deadhead every 7–10 days. Dahlia 'Penhill Watermelon' is a giant decorative dahlia that benefits from pinching once early in the season to promote multiple stems. Disbudding — removing side buds per stem — produces the largest individual blooms. Deadhead spent flowers promptly. Cut all growth to the ground after the first hard frost.

Pinch the growing tip above the third leaf pair when plants reach 40 cm. For maximum bloom size, remove all side buds on a stem, leaving only the terminal bud. Cut spent blooms back to the nearest healthy lateral bud or leaf joint.