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.
Question Some of our daylilies have so many leaves the bloom are hidden. Is there something that I can do to increase the number and size of the blooms?
Answer Hi David,
Thanx for your question. There could be several reasons for the flush of green growth. Are the daylilies not getting enough sun? They need at least 6 hours of sun per day for best blooms. Are your fertilizing them with a high nitrogen fertilizer? If so discontinue this and look for fertilizers with higher phosphorus and potassium levels. Side dress with well-composted cow or horse manure for best results. If your daylilies are planted near a lawn that is regularly fertilized, the fertilizer runoff is high in nitrogen and can cause the flush of green growth. I hope this helps.
Tom
