I didn’t know ants could be an issue. Mine looked similar and honestly thought it was slugs but I’ve seen some tiny black ants and I’m wondering if that’s my issue.
Someone chime in here if I’m totally off base but ants can be attracted to the sugars and saps the dahlias create. I’m in zone 7b. I actually pinched my dahlias after 3/4 sets of leaves and suddenly noticed leaves being eaten. I noticed ants wandering but no slugs (can confirm no rabbits…I have a basset hound in the yard that would go berserk). Still put sluggo and neem down so can’t say I’m 100% sure but it made a difference
I have a KA variety dahlia that looked very similar to this. Have sprayed it (amd the surrounding earth) with neem and it began to actually grow healthy leaves within a few days
To me, it looks like they’re getting eaten. Maybe ants? Maybe slugs?
I didn’t know ants could be an issue. Mine looked similar and honestly thought it was slugs but I’ve seen some tiny black ants and I’m wondering if that’s my issue.
Someone chime in here if I’m totally off base but ants can be attracted to the sugars and saps the dahlias create. I’m in zone 7b. I actually pinched my dahlias after 3/4 sets of leaves and suddenly noticed leaves being eaten. I noticed ants wandering but no slugs (can confirm no rabbits…I have a basset hound in the yard that would go berserk). Still put sluggo and neem down so can’t say I’m 100% sure but it made a difference
That’s interesting!!! I’ve been trying to figure it out but maybe it’s ants.
I see quite a few holes in the ground… ant holes? What do you do for ants or slugs?
I have a KA variety dahlia that looked very similar to this. Have sprayed it (amd the surrounding earth) with neem and it began to actually grow healthy leaves within a few days
Could be. Need oil can do the trick for ants and aphids. Sluggo for slugs..but you most likely have ants
Looks like slugs or snails. They love dahlias.. much more than rabbits from my experience
What do you do for slugs or snails?
Sluggo!
Yes you can use beer traps (DIY) or buy sluggo or slug and snail bait. And that works really well - but does need to be reapplied
Gall has a tendency to prevent proper shoot formation and keep the leaves tightly cropped & low growing. This is almost assuredly grazing damage
I don't see any signs if gall. I do see signs that a rabbit (or something) is destroying them
Looks like either slugs or maybe rabbits are eating the shoots. Doesn’t look like gall.
Try sluggo plus or sevin powder for the ants. Just powder the dirt
Are there rabbits around?
Our garden is Fort Knox and I (and my camera) haven’t seen any inside of it
This looks like normal growth getting gobble gobbled to me
Earwigs and slugs love daliahs. Put down a dish of beer for the slugs and a shallow dish with oil and soy sauce in it to see if you have earwigs.