It is normal for them to turn yellow and have leaves die. Normally in about two weeks you will see alot of new growth. I am assuming that the leaves were trimmed to 6" or so when you received them. This limits the water loss to the plant. If they were not trimmed, I would trim the old growth now. So...... you didn't do anything wrong, just be patient. (I know that's easier said than done.)
Charlie

Oh thanks, they were trimmed. I was just afraid that the first time I order daylilies I'd killed them!! That would SOOO be my luck lately.

You shouldn't water a daylily every day even in dry conditions. After planting them, water them in and then wait until you see new growth before watering again.

Brooke

All the old leaves will turn yellow and die while new ones grow in, it is normal, because they were uprooted and shipped bare root. Like Brook said above, just water them when they are dry. It usually takes about a month for them to recover and look more normal. Good luck.

Dot

Thanks!!! No more WATER!! Got it! (well, not NO more....you get the idea)

I also recently planted new bareroot dayliles. I am just starting to notice new growth from the center. Some of the old cut leaves are turning brown and some are still as green as ever. The question I have is should I apply fertilizer now?

It depends on how "newly planted" they are. I have read to wait a good month or so to let the roots grow. I have also read to fertalize before bloom. That is a good question. I planted my new ones about a month ago, and now ive got scapes coming up. But they are planted in my new bed where I removed all the grass and 12 inches of the nasty soil that we have here and filled the entire bed with half top soil and half miracle grow garden soil. which I believe has plant food in it. So far they like it, and ive not had any problems. Hopefully someone reading this will know what to tell you. Im not going to add any other plant food, my Dl's seem to like it the way it is for now.

If they are growing, you can fertilize.

Brooke

yellow could mean a lot of things,check your soil ph. you may need a good fertalizer. i like 10-10-10or osmosis.cut back only if you have to and as last resort dig them up and check the roots and crown.