AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Expert: Tom Alonzo Date: 7/5/2008 Subject: Stella D'Ore Lillys
Question I have 2 Stella D'Oro pland and want to know why aren't blooming. They are 2 years old.
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Answer Hi Darline,
Thanx for your question. First of all, if you are feeding them a fertilizer high in nitrogen you should stoop. This will cause lots of green growth with minimal to no flowering. Use bone meal and fertilizers rated for flowering plants. Are the plants not putting out a blooming stalk at all? Are they in the shade? Day lilies prefer full sun although they will bloom in partial shade. Are they adequately watered? They need a good soaking once a week if no regular rain. Is the foliage healthy or does it look like something is eating it, turning it yellow, brown, curling leaves? Day lilies don't have many pests but check for pests and let me know. Day lilies should be thinned out every three or four years or blooming will be reduced. You haven't had your long enough for crowding to be a factor. I hope this helps.
Tom
