We live in mid NY and typically only the common fulva and flava turn
brown after flowering, so I cut them down to the ground and they
resprout for the fall.


This year we had a very dry spell with no rain for five weeks and even
with hand watering, the hybrids ie stella, ice carnival, etc turned
partly brown and slumped flat to the ground ...I had removed all flower
stems as each is finished during the season.

With cooler weather and some rain, I then propped them up and numerous
new shoots are forming at the bases. Is it adviseable to pluck off the
brown or yellowing leave shafts to stimulate the new growth? ..will
this enhance or inhibit the reblooming varieties?

Is it better to cut flat to the ground next time in mid summer after
blooming is finished as I do with the orange ditchlily or is that old
growth needed for reblooming species?

Stew Corman from sunny Endicott