We are in the midst of a heatwave (forecast yesterday was 101 - reached 108 here - today 111 in the forecast ) and, while soaking everyone this morning, I noticed that the usual 3 or 4 daylily cultivars are already rushing into summer dormancy. Last year, they did not go dormant until mid-August when the temps were pushing 115-118 daily for 2 weeks. Is it okay to cut them back this early or is it better to leave all of the dead foliage on? I also noticed that a few other daylilies look like they really struggled in the heat yesterday (today will be much worse - it was 86 degrees by 8 AM) and it looks like they are going to lose most of their foliage, too. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips? I cannot really provide shade as there are several hundreds of pots.
Thank you

I usually pull off/away the foliage as it dies in our temps, but sometimes leave it until the next spring. Hasn't hurt them either way.

Thank you - I'll wait until it is all brown and then pull away

Hi OG, I just asked a hybridizer about cutting back foliage for a different reason; we've had 13.6" of rain and 2 hail storms this month. and the hail really ripped foliage My answer was to cut it only once a year (and never before scapes are full size in the spring as it will affect the blooms.) I have been wondering how often it can be cut because the EV's look so ratty in the spring and it all looks so ratty by August.

Over a foot of rain and hail?!! Maybe I will try to do some selective trimming, then. It was just so discouraging to see all of the crispy foliage so early in the season (we are not typically over 100 degrees in June) - I expected this more towards the end of August. I am concerned that if I do any real trimming, the daylilies will send up new growth just in time for the hottest part of the year and then that foliage will be burned back, too.

I really, really, really, really hate nasty looking foliage and it's becoming a deal breaker for me. First, the cleanup in the spring when I see SEVS and EV's looking ratty. Then by August the backyard looks like a cornfield of brown foliage with a sea of brown scapes. If I had my way the foliage would be cut every week! So I'm taking advantage of this rain by ripping out cv's I don't want. With one hand I pulled out 4 this morning at 6:30 AM, and of course it's raining again. The ground is so soaked all you have to do is roll your eyes at them and they practically fall out on their own. I'm out of Sluggo and I emptied 24 cans of beer in 48 aluminum pie plates and this morning there are approx. 5 billion slugs in the pans. I hope they enjoyed their Pete's Wicked Ale.

What I would do is leave your plants as is and just close your eyes and count to 100 when you pass by them.

The sluggo doesn't seem to be working here. Maybe there are way too many of them. I am going to have to try the beer. That has always worked before.

Hemlady said:The sluggo doesn't seem to be working here. Maybe there are way too many of them. I am going to have to try the beer. That has always worked before.

The beer always works for me but even when buying the cheapest, it's still a pricey fix when it's raining ever day of the week. I had the PWA for the purpose of drinking it but got desperate last night when I remembered I forgot to get more Sluggo. Pine needles helped a lot but voles love it here and I can't see their holes when the ground is covered with the needles. Finally being vole free this year, I'm not giving them any ground cover.

I can only imagine what my neighbors were thinking when there were 24 bottles of beer on the table. The night before I went out after dark with a flashlight making a list of which cv's are nocturnal and I'm sure they're all thinking, "here she goes again...".

Back to foliage, I'm wondering if AHS has published any research done on effects of cutting foliage?

That's funny. Well I probably don't have as many flowers to treat as you have and our local drug store has some been on sale for $1 a bottle, which isn't bad at least I don't think so, never buy beer so I am not familiar with the prices.

dormantsrule said:I really, really, really, really hate nasty looking foliage and it's becoming a deal breaker for me. .....
What I would do is leave your plants as is and just close your eyes and count to 100 when you pass by them.

I am getting to the same point. A couple of these are going to have to go down the road as they really cannot take the heat. I will go ahead and remove any of the foliage that just falls off but leave the rest for autumn cleanup - and close my eyes tight.

dormantsrule said:Hi OG, I just asked a hybridizer about cutting back foliage for a different reason; we've had 12.5" of rain and 2 hail storms this month. and the hail really ripped foliage My answer was to cut it only once a year (and never before scapes are full size in the spring as it will affect the blooms.) I have been wondering how often it can be cut because the EV's look so ratty in the spring and it all looks so ratty by August.

I cut back the EV and SEV varieties that I have early in the spring to get rid of anything that is mushy from freezing. I've never noticed an issue but I try to make sure I do it well before they have really kicked into growth. The times when I haven't, or missed a spot those plants end up looking terrible because the new growth gets caught up in the net of boiled cabbage looking foliage.

I will also say one year I had the brilliant idea to cut the foliage back so I could see the scapes better. Lesson learned there.

I am glad to have come across this thread. I noticed this week that I have quite a few daylilies that are going through summer dormancy. As I was cleaning up dead foliage today, I saw new growth starting. I will be curious to see if that affects next years growth or blooms. I cannot even remember if this has ever been an issue in my garden before. I was planning on giving all of them a seaweed/fish foliar feeding soon but now I wonder if that would be a good idea with the new growth immerging. Anyone know or have any information they can provide on it?

Thanks!

Amy

I'm still feeding. I've cleared some areas out where the plants went completely dormant (I have a couple that died completely back to the ground). This is pretty standard for me and I have not noticed a problem but I am only removing dead or nearly dead foliage.

And !!!

Thank you JWWC!

amy! There is a great group of enablers.... errr friends here

If you live In a mild winter climate you will exspeariance summer dormancy, not unlike the winter dormant for some daylilies (Sev, Dor) plants in cold winter climates. Daylilies will protect themselves from harsh conditions and of course dormancy is the best way for them to do so.

I clean my garden in the late summer to early fall, removing any unsightly foliage and then it is time to feed and spray for any possible insects that have been hiding in the spent foliage. I have until December 28th before our first possible frost, or freeze,

August 12, 2011



I start my cleaning mid September
September 17, 2011



The month of February is the time to spray for any bud damaging insects, also make sure any plants that may need fertilizer is taken care of at this time.
February 22, 2012


March 16, 2012, the only thing for now is wait for blooms............


April 22, 2012 - This is time for some early, early daylily blooms and for the garden to come alive with color.


May - this is the month that showcases all of the early prep in the garden.....
May 22, 2012


One of the most important things to achieve is bloom quality, witch I believe starts In the early fall (in mild winter climates) and continues into early spring.

Bloom quality on May 22, 2012


I hope your winter is gentle where ever you garden.
Lyle

Very beautiful Lyle, thanks for sharing!!