I recently bought some daylilies at a local nursery. They were freshly dug from the field. I received four fans of Banana Cream Beauty. Usually this nursery gives a good sized clump with at least four to five healthy fans, sometimes more. This time rather than receiving a clump, I received a double fan, and two singles. The singles were very poor. One had very few roots and the other was sliced up the middle. I bought quite a few plants and didn't notice this damage until the next day when I started to plant. I have attached some pictures to show the damage. I planted the double fan in my holding bed, and planted the two singles in pots, so I could keep a close eye on them and keep them well watered. What would you have done with the one with the split? I planted it, so the split is above ground to try to help prevent rot. Once it heals, I will raise the soil slightly. What do you all think?

Hmmm, it should be alright but I wonder if there is anything you could spray on the damage to prevent rot??

I would dust the injury with rooting hormone to encourage new roots.

I would have done the same, plant them in a pot (I might use vermiculite or perlite for more aeration) and keep them in a shady spot. I would be careful not to overwater since there's not much root - to compensate for the root loss I would significantly cut back the leaves to reduce the need for roots to take up water. I once had a seedling lose all its roots to a "white grub" of the lawn pest kind. With the above treatment it recovered. I did keep it on a window sill in the house on the north side but not sure that is necessary.

I pretty much did what Sooby suggested and used a light potting soil to plant it. I have in a shady spot where I can keep an eye on them. I didn't dust with rooting hormone (didn't think of it, but will file that away for next time). Thanks, everyone. I will keep you posted on their progress.

touchofsky said:I recently bought some daylilies at a local nursery. They were freshly dug from the field. I received four fans of Banana Cream Beauty. Usually this nursery gives a good sized clump with at least four to five healthy fans, sometimes more. This time rather than receiving a clump, I received a double fan, and two singles. The singles were very poor. One had very few roots and the other was sliced up the middle. I bought quite a few plants and didn't notice this damage until the next day when I started to plant.

Since the nursery is local, I believe I would have returned the daylily for a replacement or refund if clumps are what you purchased.

I know, I should have. However, there was a very nice young man learning to dig that day, and I hated to get him in trouble.

If you have the crown sliced, I would leave it in the air for the wound to dry and crust. Then plant.
I don't mind the extra little stragglers that come. Soon they will be big and healthy. I always feel lucky with them because I am blessed if I get more than one fan from most suppliers.

touchofsky said:I know, I should have. However, there was a very nice young man learning to dig that day, and I hated to get him in trouble.

If the rest of your plants were in fine shape, and this one plant was "only" a double fan plus these pieces, I wouldn't complain about it.

Trim the fan back as Sue suggested, since pieces like this will tend to re-grow from the crown, often via the split in the existing fan. I plant "projects" like these in a good potting soil mixed 50/50 with perlite, and site them in bright, open shade, keeping them just moist.

CaliFlowers said:

If the rest of your plants were in fine shape, and this one plant was "only" a double fan plus these pieces, I wouldn't complain about it.

Trim the fan back as Sue suggested, since pieces like this will tend to re-grow from the crown, often via the split in the existing fan. I plant "projects" like these in a good potting soil mixed 50/50 with perlite, and site them in bright, open shade, keeping them just moist.

Yes, the rest of the plants were great. And to be fair, the double fan of Banana Cream Beauty was a nice double fan. I would not have been disappointed in it. I have potted up the fan with the cut in it and it is in a light potting soil. I have it in diffused light in a location that I constantly walk by, so I can keep an eye on it. It looks good today. I cut back the foliage and removed a large scape and put it in water. The scape bloomed in the house this morning and it was beautiful in the kitchen all day.

Talking about "projects". There were two tiny fans of something rolling around in the box. I potted them up, too. They will be a surprise since I don't know which cultivar they belong to!

Here is an update for the fan with the split. It started to fall sideways yesterday, and it has sent up new growth from the base. Not sure if I should cut off the old growth or just leave it and see what the plant does with it. Maybe the old fan is still supplying some nutrients. I have attached a few photos to show what has happened. Any suggestions welcome!

I would leave it alone. If the old fan still has some green then it is still potentially photosynthesizing and helping feed the new growth.

Yes,I think you are right. That seems like the best idea.

I would leave it alone too. Good news it's alive and kicking

A few days ago, the original foliage on the fan started to yellow off, and a slight tug pulled it off. The two new fans are growing well. I have left the area where the old foliage pulled away exposed, so that it will heal.