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Bulbs/daylilies

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Expert: Long Island Gardener - 8/24/2007


Question
Hi.  I just divided what I thought were daylilies.  Now, I am not so sure...  
While digging everything up-  I realized that their were a variety of plants in
there.  I know that some were daylilies, some iris-- but, i'm not sure about
the others.  The roots what I think are daylilies are sort of long and connect
each fan of leaves.  There are also several smaller roots growing off of it.  
These I had to cut to divide.  There were many more though who's roots
looked like a group of balls attached by long thinner roots.  These were also
grown together in clumps- but, I could shake them loose and divide them
without cutting.  And last are a group of plants that are very similar to the
ones that I just  described, but much smaller and thinner stalks.  I have
divided them all and replanted them as if they were daylily- is this ok?  I am
worried that I did this too early in the summer, now that I'm aware that there
were different kinds of plants.  I'm in zone 5. Chicago.   sorry if this is
confusing!  
thanks!!!

Answer
There is no way to tell what you divided at this point, unfortunately, but it actually sounds like you know what you're doing.  The best thing you can do is just wait and see what comes up and blooms next year.  In a worst case scenario, this is not even on the list. Calm down, and wait and see how it goes next year.   Good luck!

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.

Experience

Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.

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