GROWING & CARE

GROWING & CARING FOR DAYLILIES

When your daylilies arrive they will be bare-root with the leaves trimmed.  If possible soak overnight in water with an added half strength solution of Seasol or similar to refresh the root system.  If planting immediately, water the plant in with the solution to help with any transplant shock.  After you have planted your newly arrived plants, the outer cut leaves will go yellow and die back, this is quite normal. At the same time new growth will emerge. Only remove the outer brown leaves when they can be easily removed, do not tug at the old leaves as this may disturb the root system.

GENERAL
When purchasing daylilies ascertain if your plant is low growing, tall growing, vigorous, miniature plant, evergreen, semi-evergreen, winter dormant.  If winter dormant it may be wise to use a small stake to mark the plant so you know that it is a dormant grower. Do not confuse crown rot and dormant growth.

Emerging dormant daylily growth is quite pretty with a different hue to evergreen and semi-evergreen daylilies.  Daylilies purchased between Dec and March will benefit being planted in pots and placed in some shade until autumn when they can be moved into direct sunlight.

SOIL PREPARATION
A well drained friable soil is ideal.  Prepare the soil in advance by adding compost, organic matter, fertilizer of blood and bone and thoroughly dig into the soil.   I also add water crystals plus a 9 month slow release fertilizer. My preference is Water Saver or Earthcare brand water crystals. Although slightly more expensive than cheaper brands, from experience I find them still viable after 4 years.  Space daylilies approx 60cm apart, or less if smaller growing varieties. When planting dig the hole approx 12” wide and deep.  Make a mound on which the crown of the daylily will sit and spread the roots out and downwards into the hole, similar to rose planting. Do not plant too deeply.  The crown should not be covered with more than 2.5cm of soil (1”)  Firm the soil around the plant water well.   Generally, watering your new plants twice a week, without making the soil boggy, should be enough while they re-establish.

POTTED DAYLILIES
Daylilies are also suited to pot culture.  Suggested minimum size pot is 8” diameter. If using a potted mix ensure it is a good brand with added fertilizer and water crystals.  It is beneficial to add a 9 month slow release fertilizer on top of the potting mix.  Fertilize potted daylilies more regularly to keep them growing strongly.  

WATERING
Daylilies are reasonably drought hardy and will survive on a small amount of water and natural rainfall. For optimum flowering performance, regular deep watering twice a week is beneficial when flowering scapes begin appearing and during the bloom season and hot summer months. 

FERTILIZING
Neutrog, Blood and Bone or any good organic fertilizer containing potash is ideal.  Nitrogen based fertilizers encourages leaf growth at the expense of flowers. 

MULCHING
A good quality mulch will help conserve water and reduce weeds, compost, bark chips, straw that has not had any pesticides or weed killer can also be used.  Do not place mulch up against the crown of the plant as this can inhibit flowering.   

DISEASES
CROWN ROT:  Should you ever get crown rot it is essential that you remove all the soil where the roots and crown have rotted and discard into another part of the garden where you do not grow daylilies. Do not plant another daylily in the old soil as the pathogen remains in the soil and will spread to the new plant.

APHIDS AND SPIDER MITE
Natural alternative treatment is preferred, if they appear in plague proportions you may need to purchase a suitable insecticide from a nursery. Try soapy water first if you only have few daylilies, Eco-oil or Natrasoap.  Never use Kelthane.

HEMEROCALLIS RUST
Daylily rust is a pustule of red brown powder that can appear on the daylily leaves. Fortunately I have never had daylily rust on my plants.  There are several sites on the web explaining daylily rust.  If you suspect you have daylily rust use a slightly damp tissue and wipe the back of the leaves, if you are left with tell-tale symptoms (don’t get confused with common soil splash), there are sprays available.