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Old 27-08-2003, 05:22 PM
paghat
 
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Default How to properly deadhead tall bearded iris and daylilies

In article m, Joan
wrote:

I am new to the forum, but have been hybridising daylilies for many years
in Australia. The seedpod in the photo looked to be near ready. As soon
as the pod starts to split I bring in inside in an egg carton and allow
the pod to dry for 24 hours, then I take the seeds out and allow them to
dry for a further 24 hours. I label a small snaplock bag with the
parents' names and put the seeds into it, and place the seeds in the
fridge (not the freezer!!) till I am ready to plant them. On removing
them from the fridge, I add a little sphagnum moss to the bag and leave
it at room temperature. Before long tiny white shoots appear. The seeds
are then planted in pots where they are kept damp, and green leaves
usually appear within a few days. When double sets of leaves grow the
plants can be put into the garden. In our climate most bloom in 9 -12
months. I have never seen a seedling that was exactly like the parent.
--
Joan
Lily lady.


Howdy Lily Lady:

With your particular expertise, perhaps you have some general rules for
reviving a tired worn out day lily. A neglected clump inherited with the
property had long stopped blooming. I dug up a big fragment of it,
divided that, put bits of it in better locations. Last year the new clumps
were leaves only. This year they bloomed tepidly. What was left of the old
original clump still does not bloom, though I filled in around it with
good soil where I had removing some of it from the edges to divide.

I've other lilies that are not very old & never went through a long period
of neglect, & they bloom splendidly. Should I just give up on the old one,
or are there any tricks that might revive bloom vitality?

-paghat the ratgirl

--
"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com/