Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 6/8/2004

Question
I live in central SC. zone 7-8. Last yr. my lillies & day lillies were huge and so fragrant, this yr. not so wonderful.  When do I fertilze and with what?  Also, some of my daffodils I planted several yrs. ago are in big clumps now, but still flowering nicely.  When is ther ight time to dig, divide and separate to replant?  What fertilizer for them also.  Thanks.  

Answer
Fertilize lilies in early spring when they break ground and again just before flowering. Also, if you spray roses or begonias, spray the lilies, too as the same bugs which attack the roses also love lilies. Mulch well around the lilies.

After flowering, deadhead the spent flower by cutting it right behind the small stem which held the flower to the flower stem. do not cut the main flower stalk off, however, as it is needed to conduct photosynthesis (e.g. for the plant to recharge the bulb for next year's bloom). Instead let the flower stem (with leaves) die back and mature (yellow and wither) on it's own. Do cut off the spent flower, and the small puffy green seed pods which develop directly behind the place where the flower used to be. If you deadhead spent flowers, the lily does not vaste energy on setting seeds, but will improve bulb size for next year's show (= more flowers).

I recommend that you use HOLLAND BULB BOOSTER (available in spring and fall at home depot, lowes, etc in small 1/2 lbs red bags). Otherwise osmocote 14-14-14, or even pansy booster fertilizer is fine. If everything else fail, use MIRACLE GROW 15-30-15 or PETERS 20-20-20 which are powders which dissolve in water. If using the latter two, apply 3-4 applications starting early spring and spaced every 14-21 days until flowering happens. use full strength as for outdoors plants.

If daylilies are still flowering then no need to divide, but you can if you want to multiply your stock. do so in early summer after first flush of flowers. Cut back foliage to 6-10" length ("fans") and divide by digging the clumps and then using a sharp knife or spade to divide through the crown. Use osmocote pellets 14-14-14 (nutricote, multicote, etc) every 3 months as above, or you can use miracle grow 15-30-15, peters 20-20-20 which are powders which must be dissolved in water. affirmatively, apply every 14-21 days through the growing season.