Daylilies are beautiful plants that come in a variety of colors and sizes. They’re easy to propagate and care for, and they make a great addition to any garden. if you’re interested in planting daylilies but don’t want to go through the hassle of growing them from seed, then propagating daylilies is the way to go.
Read on for more information about how to plant daylily proliferations.
What is a Daylily Proliferation?
A daylily proliferation is a small plant that forms on the stem of a daylily plant. These proliferations can be removed from the plant and replanted in different location. They’ll grow into full-sized daylily plants in just a few months.
When to Plant Daylily Proliferations
Daylilies can be propagated at any time during the growing season. However, the best time to plant daylily proliferations is in the spring or early summer. That’s because the plants will have a better chance of taking root and growing into healthy plants.
However, Daylilies planted in fall need to be mulched to prevent winter frost heaving.
Where to Plant Daylily Proliferations
When you’re ready to plant your daylily proliferations, you’ll need to choose a location that’s sunny and has well-drained soil. Daylilies do not like to sit in wet or soggy soil, so ensure that the area you choose is not prone to puddles or standing water.
You’ll also need to dig a large hole that is enough to accommodate the root of the daylily plant.
How to Propagate Daylilies
Daylilies can be propagated by division or by removing the proliferations from the plant and replanting them. Both methods are easy to implement and will result in healthy plants.
To propagate daylilies by division:
- Dig up the entire plant along with its root
- Gently shake off any excess dirt
- Divide the root ball into 2-3 sections
- Each section should have at least one bud or eye
- Plant the sections in prepared bedding or container and water them well
- To propagate daylilies by removing the proliferation:
- Cut the stem of the plant just below the point where the proliferation is growing
- Gently pull the proliferation from the stem
- Remove any leaves from the stem
- Plant the proliferation in prepared bedding or container
- Water the proliferations well
Tip: Note that daylilies propagated by division will flower the first year, while those propagated by removing the proliferation may not flower until the following year.
How to Plant Daylily Proliferations
Once you have propagated your daylilies, it’s time to plant them. Follow the steps below to ensure that your plants take root and grow into healthy daylilies. If you’re planting more than one daylily, ensure you space them out so that they have room to grow.
- Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for planting
- Dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate the roots of the plant
- Gently remove the plant from its container
- Loosen the roots so that they’re not tightly compacted
- Place the plant in the hole and fill in the soil around it and gently firm it down
- Water the plant well
- Place a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture
- You should water your daylily plants regularly for successful blooming, especially during the hot summer months.
Fertilizing Daylilies
Daylilies are not heavy feeders, so they don’t require a lot of fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in the spring is all that is needed. You can also side-dress the plants with compost or manure in the spring and mid-summer.
Over-fertilizing daylilies can result in excessive leaf growth and fewer flowers. It’s also important to note that daylilies do not like salt, so ensure you use a fertilizer that is low in salt content.
Pests and Diseases
Daylilies are generally pest and disease-free. However, they can be susceptible to rust, leaf spot, and aphids. If you notice any pests or diseases on your plants, you should treat them immediately.
The best way to prevent pests and diseases is to keep your plants healthy by watering, removing dead leaves and debris, and keeping the area around the plants free of weeds.
Plant Daylily Proliferations: Final thoughts
With proper care, daylilies will thrive and provide you with beautiful blooms for many years to come. So get out there and start propagating!
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