Daylily Growing Tips
Clarence Crochet, Prairieville, LA
Daylilies come in many colors,
from white, pink, orange, gold, lavender, purple, and to the darkest
red. There are also many types of blooms, from the large flowers, to
the intermediate, to the miniatures. There are also single and
double blooms. There are various foliage heights and heights of
flower also, from the minis to tall types.
Planting
time
for daylilies can be done almost any time in Louisiana, but spring
and fall plantings are more desirable because the weather is not too
hot at these times.
Daylilies
grow well in many types of soil.
They also benefit greatly by growing in soils that are well drained
and which contain a good amount of organic matter. Add composted cow
manure, compost, composted pine bark mulch or other organic matter
to the soil every three years in daylily beds.
In Louisiana, it is almost a necessity to raise daylily
beds above the surrounding soil surface. Do this by adding
topsoil and also sand if the soil is mostly clay. Remember to use
accompanying organic matter with any addition of sand or soil. This
mixture should be tilled into the soil to a recommended depth of
12–14 inches, minimum of 8-10 inches.
Check
soil for the pH reading,
or better, have it done by L. S. U. soil lab through your county
agent. Many large garden centers may be pick-up points for the Soil
Lab and can assist you. Daylilies like a pH of about 6.5.
Space daylily plants at least 18” apart and divide the subsequent clumps every
three years. Do not crowd the plants in the growing beds.
Undivided clumps will result in a decreased number of blooms.
Plant
so that the crown
(where the roots meet the leaves) is just under the soil surface.
Make a mound in the soil (as you would for a rose bush) and drape
the roots over the mound. Cover the roots with soil, just covering
the crown of the plant.
Watering. After planting, if
the soil is normal
(not too dry or too wet), don’t water for about 8-10 days. In this
time the plant will begin to "green up" and show growth in the
middle of the plant. If needed, this is the time to water. Water
regularly, of course, in dry weather. The usual 1-inch per week is
sufficient. (Our average rainfall in South La. has been 50-60 inches a
year.)
Winter
mulch is desirable.
Three to four inches of pine needles, old bagasse (chopped sugar
cane stalks), pine bark mulch,
seedless grass clippings, or seedless grass hay will protect the
plants from freezing, if applied in the fall or early winter. This,
of course, also inhibits weed growth and development. It also helps
to conserve moisture in the soil.
Daylilies
have three serious plant pests
- - - aphids in the early spring, spider mites in dry weather, and
thrips during bloom season. There are a number of good aphid
killers: Malathion, Spectracide, & Diazinon are three. Mites can be
controlled with several applications of Spectricide. Also a
specialty product labeled Pentac is effective but difficult for home
gardeners to obtain. The product Kelthane is NOT
recommended for use on daylily plants.
Thrips are controlled with Spectricide, Malathion, or Diazinon.
Most
daylilies should be fertilized
after the active growth has begun in the early spring. A much
lighter application can be made after most of the flowers have
bloomed. Good daylily plant fertilizer should be used: Milorganite
is a good organic granular that can be applied in early spring and
just before bloom start. While the fertilizer ratio 3:1:2 is best,
one can use a balance fertilizer i.e. 8-8-8,
12-12-12, or 13-13-13. One control release product that has proven
very successful in our gardens is Nutricote. Lately there has been
some renewed emphasis placed
upon liquid fertilizer applications. This is the quickest acting of
all.