How To Care For Daylilies

Caring for daylilies is not a big job. They are famous for their resistance to conditions. However planning would make the process easier and more productive.

What care do they need?

Here is a list of things which done properly will fulfil all the requirements for caring for daylilies. They are –

Watering

Providing nutrients or fertilization

Grooming

Dividing

Controlling weeds and removing pests

Watering

This is the most essential care you should give your daylilies. Although daylilies can tolerate drought, they are almost as thirsty as other plants in your garden. A regular watering would make them happy and colourful. Breeds like Stella de Oro gets strength to re-bloom if it is watered fairly regularly. However, if your soil is humid enough you can take time between two watering sessions. Even then, 2/3 times a week may be necessary.

Providing nutrients or fertilization

Fertilization should be done on the basis of the results of a soil test. A soil test should be done prior to planting the plants and once a year after that. Spring is a good time to fertilize the soil. To do so, dig around the plant with a shovel and mix the nutrients with the loose ground soil. Then water to complete this task of caring for daylilies. A yearly fertilizing job is sufficient. However a poor, light and sandy soil may need frequent fertilization.

Grooming

You always keep the garden neat and tidy, don’t you? This is good. Remove the day’s blooms at the end of the day. In spring, dead foliage and debris should be removed. In the growing season diseased foliage should be taken away. Cut the bloom scape to several inches from the ground at the end of the blooming season. Grooming this way is necessary when caring for daylilies.

Dividing

If too many daylilies share too little space, the division of nutrients may make them produce fewer flowers. The size of the flowers also decreases. In that case division is necessary. Divide the big plants. Fall may be the best time for division, for the nights of this season are cool and winter has not come yet. However, choose the time according to the climate conditions of your place.

Controlling weeds and removing pests

Like all plants, daylilies also need weed controlling, however less frequently than other plants. Weeds share the nutrients in the soil, thereby making the daylilies less productive. The best way to control weeds is mulching the soil and hoeing. This is a stress-busting job and you will hardly feel you are caring for daylilies.

Pests are harmful to daylilies’ health. Always keep an eye out for pests. Some common pests are aphids, spider mites, thrips, slugs and snails and other insects. Remove them. Or use insecticides if necessary.

Always make a schedule of caring for daylilies which includes the above listed tasks. They will add to the splendour of your garden.