Advice needed for sick daylilies

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have daylilies in containers on the deck because the deer eat them if I plant them in the ground.

I moved the daylily containers into the garage for the winter. I noticed bugs on them about a week ago and took them outside. It's really too cold out for plants here (zone 7). I think the bugs were aphids and whitefly - there were both dark and white bugs.

I sprayed them with Safer Insect Killing Soap and Bayer Rose and Flower Insect Killer. They appear to have a little growth now but I am wondering if the crown is rotting.

I have never had problems with daylilies before and don't want these to die.

What should I do? I took these photos today.

Thank you for your help.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

Daylilies are hardy perennials (zone 4) and not the slightest bit frost tender!! Those cautions are for temperature sensitive plants like annuals or zone pushing temperennials.

There is nothing wrong with your plants that better soil and a little sunlight won't cure. As one very active GW member would say, you can drive a truck over a daylily and it will continue to grow and thrive. Tough, very hardy plants.

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Comments (9)

hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)
6 years ago
Here's what I would do. I would repot them in good potting soil in a deep container. Take them out into the sunshine and keep them watered. It's not too cold for daylilies outside in zone 7. We are in 6a and all of our daylilies are up and growing well. Even our seedlings are outside.

Good luck!
mariagrazia thanked hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Yes, agree that the soil in the container is not what you should be using. Looks like regular garden soil and you want only potting or container soil. I would also question the statement about "too cold" in zone 7....certainly not now and very likely they could have stayed out all winter as well!
mariagrazia thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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mariagrazia
Original Author
6 years ago
We have a freeze warning tonight. They say not to bring plants out until May 15. You don't think I need to spray them or add anything to kill the bugs? Should I dunk them in bleach mix? I read that as a fix for crown rot, have never done it.

Thanks
cecily 7A
6 years ago
The freeze warning tonight applies to tomatoes not hardy perennials. Do not add any more chemical treatments to kill bugs or treat crown rot or anything else. Stop treating them and let them begin to recover. Potting mix is a good idea.
mariagrazia thanked cecily 7A
lisanti07028
6 years ago
They also look a bit crowded - how big is that pot?
mariagrazia thanked lisanti07028
mariagrazia
Original Author
6 years ago
The pot is 17 inches tall and 20 inches wide. What size do you suggest? The pot is outside, so I hope it will get sun. I used to have hundreds of daylilies in the ground but the deer ate them. I love daylilies so decided to try them in containers on the deck. All advice is welcome! Thanks so much.
laceyvail 6A, WV
6 years ago
Better than Irish spring soap is Liquid Fence. Spray vulnerable plants. Spray doesn't wash off, but of course, won't protect new growth. So spray as the plant grows. And there is a very large number of highly deer resistant plants that you can grow. Maybe start investigating them.
mariagrazia thanked laceyvail 6A, WV
lisanti07028
6 years ago
I think that I would only have one dayliliy in a pot that size - their root systems get enormous, and they won't flourish if they are too crowded. If it were me, I would get very slightly smaller pots (with drainage holes), one for each plant, and new soil to go with them. No more insect sprays, no fertilizer, just new dirt and water. Daylilies are TOUGH. You don't even need to take them into the garage for the winter; they'll be just fine.
mariagrazia thanked lisanti07028