In the interest of eliminating unnecessary steps...I am wondering if it is okay to put a freshly cut prolif right into the ground next to the existing parent plant? If not, what is the recommended planting procedure for prolifs?

Amber, I put them in the ground or a pot of wet sand. Viola, new clump.

I have put them next to the parent before. Just because I don't want to take up a spot that I could use for a totally different daylily.

just don't forget to water it every day. It has no root system and will dry out quickly if you forget it.

Thank you everyone!

I had some prolifs last year and I put the stalk it is attached to in a glas of water in such a way that the bottom of the prolif júst touched the top of the water.
After a week it developted some very nice roots and only thán did I put it in the ground


Mayo

I must try that too, Mayo.

Something I tried in the past and it worked was to treat the prolif scape the same as layering a shrub. If the scape will bend without totally breaking, you can make it lay on the ground and put a rock behind the prolif to anchor it on the soil surface. Then the prolif can root while still being somewhat sustained by the parent. It only works with outside scapes that are leaning and where the prolif would "land" in a suitable place, although later it could be severed and moved once rooted.

Amber, last year I did something that was between Glen and Mayo's suggestions...

I had a prolif of Royal frosting, cut the scape off at both ends so that the scape was roughly 6"(?) on either end of the prolif, then I potted it and put it near a window for the cold months. I did this because I waited until the end of the season when the prolif had some itty roots formed before I cut it off of the scape...it wasn't the best time to be planting baby plants, so I that's why I took it indoors. Since you're doing yours now, yours should have plenty of time to get settled in before the cold weather hits.

I hope that helps!

I have done similar methods with much success. It's a great way to get multiple plants of a cultivar or to share with friends or family.