I found out by a master gardener that writes for the local newspaper here that epsom salts is not needed in our soil. My plants did not do as well last summer either and I fertilized with a slow release fertilizer and also some milorganite. I think my problem was lack of watering. We had a very wet spring but not as much rain during the summer months and I understand that enough water is very key to a good bloom season. I just hate paying those water bills though, lol. I was really relying on mother nature to help me out with the watering but guess I am going to have to do some too.

Perhaps to water, (if you don't have many) put water in a bucket and let it sit a day or two prior to watering. That way any chemicals or such that may be in your water will dissolve/ evaporate. I used to do this with my fish water- let it sit for a day or two before using - instead of adding chemicals to remove the other chemicals.

Granted, if you have lots of flowers, this method wouldn't work. But if you have just a couple that need extra attention, you could water them with the standing water separately perhaps

Also, if your daylilies just need a boost, make it without the epsom salts. I think mine liked the sugar from the molasses, and I didn't have any problems with bugs~j

Thanks for the nice comments!

My peak bloom is usually second or third week of June depending on the weather.

Susie - You may have a dormant seedling, If you see any new green starting to come out then you have a semi evergreen or dormant with our warm climate it is hard to tell, I have some daylilies and seedlings showing yellow from our cold front that passed through, but now they have dark green foliage showing in the center.

Thanks for the information. I also think water and good drainage is one of the main factors in good plant performance.

I would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

Back at ya Lyle! And I hope 2012 brings you a great crop of seeds and the most INCREDIBLE seedling blooms ever!

Susie so glad to see you on here.

Happy New Year to ALL.

I think it's great to visit the different forums, everyone is so friendly and we learn about different plants and climates.

Happy New Year Lyle and everyone here!

I am transitioning to this gardening website because I don't think I'm renewing my membership at the other one. Enjoying looking at all your seedlings Lyle!

Did you find any of the seedlings from the seeds I sent you worth keeping/evaluating? I think there was a pink one you were going to keep an eye on....any recent pics?

Looking forward to going through the threads here in the next day or so, the New Year has brought in some nasty weather and it'll be a joy to look at all your photos.

Hijack - Hi here Sandy!! ~Jan

I do hope everyone will have and exceptional year ahead.....it seems, a lot of things went on in 2011, and I for one am ready for a nice quit year in 2012.

Sandy - I am glad to see you here, and posting! I have sent several seedlings to the northern garden for evaluation and I will check to see this spring which seedlings will be considered. The last seeds you sent will bloom this season and I will keep you posted.
If you see anything that you fell would benefit you program LMK.

Sandy - feel free to post your own seedlings here, or on your own thread. I know you have made some nice advances with your program.

Starting the New Year with a few seedling photos.....






Seedsower's seedling

What a great way to start the new year! Thanks Lyle! They're all so beautiful, and my eyes were immediately drawn to the second one, and then to #8! I think this is going to be a GREAT year for all of us!

Hi Lyle...thanks for the info and the pics! Love your seedlings...only six full months to go before I see the beginning of some blooms here! I recognize that last photo of an Alexa Kathryn cross I sent you, correct? I love #2 & #8 as I'm partial to toothy/knobby edges.

Me too Sandy! And can you tell me the name of the daylily in your avatar? It's very beautiful!

Hi Betty....the daylily in my avatar is one of my favorite seedlings. Unfortunately I don't have the parentage since I believe I mislabeled it. I had it mapped as a Pink Super Spider seedling but I don't think it is. Since I haven't been able to get it to set a pod I don't know if its diploid or tetraploid. I plan to use its pollen this year to try and at least figure that out which might help me determine its parentage. Glad you like it!

Added a photo showing more of the plant of my avatar seedling

Sandy, I hope you can figure out which it is -- it's just my kind of daylily too!

Hi Sandy, it's nice to see you posting here. I hope one of the seedlings I started from your seed will be as beautiful as your avatar photo. I will be starting more of your seed later this month.

Great to have you here Sandy. I hope some of the Joan Derifield cross seeds I got from you bloom this year,. They had a rough start but sure looked good last fall.

Lyle My heart stops when I see ones like 1,2,8&9.

Glad to have you here Sandy and I am LOVIN' the great daylily images you have been adding to the database!!

Sorry Rebloomnut, those weren't from me but I hope you get some wonderful blooms!

Hi there Sandy - you found us!

Between #2 & #8, I like 8 the best because the greener through seems to show it off more. Of course I like #3, but not sure it is one I would register, I think of it more as a bridge plant. Would depend on the rest of the plant habit.IS #1 one of those flowers that "glows"? If so, then it would attract my eye. Since I prefer bold & darks, of the purples, I like the second one (#6), then the 3rd (the one in the back of photos #7, as for the first purple, I think it's in shadow, and would like to see it in full light.

And Sandy's seedling is beautiful! ~Jan

PS- Sandy, I have a few of your seedlings growing - a couple of Tooth babies (had a couple of albinos from that cross) and Pink Super Spiders. Perhaps I will get some blooms next year from them.

Hi Sandy!!! Your seedling is lovely. From the edge it has, I would bet it is tetraploid.