I do dead head, and cut back once I know there are no more buds on a limb. That stimulates more blooms.

I think it would take too long in our climate for any new growth tips to form if I 'whacked them back' too far. I disbud and disbranch at least one node down, usually two; and then later I'll cut back the huge stalk once the flower is cut off, as Jroot said.

Did you pinch out the center growth when the plants were about 12-18 inches tall or with 4-5 leaf pairs? That helps bushiness and lateral development, but some are just born to get tall and bushy.

We had a heavy rain yesterday, an inch in a short amount of time, I only found 2/150 or so that were leaning with the weight of all the water. Even if your stake is too short, it pays to cinch up the taller stems and stalks with panty hose, fabric strips, whatever flexible tie you can find- so they aren't so apt to break. Some still will give way to the weight of the rain, especially with wind of any significance.

I can tell the season is waning here: was 45 degrees this a.m. and the blooms are getting smaller.

Ah. Well, I didn't do anything because I wasn't sure what to do. I do use a great clear ribbing that I really like. It's sort of stretchy, so it doesn't pinch them at all. That's one thing I did right.

But, I think I could have done better by cutting down a few nodes. I'm definitely going to try the pinching thing next year. Thanks for your tips!

Now I have a question! What on earth is clear ribbing?
I forgot the very helpful link to shorten and widen your dahlias.

Here is a link that might be useful: Topping your Dahlias

thanks for the link! I mis-typed "clear ribbon." Oops. So, it's a semi-opaque, clear plastic ribbon that is on the stretchy side as opposed to the green plant ribbon/tape, which tends to be more on the tough-hard side. It's simple to break off with your hands at whatever length you want, and it is not really easily spotted once you have it on the plant.

That sounds a ton easier than cutting up T shirts forever til your hands are calloused masses unfit for human contact!
Where does one get clear ribbon? It sounds almost like the bright colored surveyors' tape you see dotting property lines etc. That is slightly stretchy and rippable as well.

somewhere else on the web in the past day I've come across another mention of "whacking them back." I think it was in relation to sort of stopping the plant and timing good blooms for Dahlia Show time.
If I come across it again, I'll post a link.

Poochella, Try your local hardware store, that's where I found it. It really is surveyor's tape but it comes clear and in dark green.

Oh, by the way, Your're a gardener, no matter what your hands will always be a calloused mess unfit for any beauty contest, LOL

Thanks Poochella. I'd be curious to hear what others say. Also, about the clear tape: Willow is right. I think the hardware store is a good place to try. I get mine at a local nursery that is kind of a "high end" nursery place. I also tried a google search on white plant ribbon or white plant tape and surveyor's ribbon, but I couldn't find anything. I did find a lot of hits on the velcro plant ties, which you can adjust, but I really like the clear ribbon... Hope you can find it!