Susan Ask
Fred - You said, "I do believe the rust problem is not near the problem as it was when it first broke out in 2001." Is that because of the successful treatment for rust now? Are there any organic treatments that you are aware of that hobbiest could try in their garden? I understand that for a large scale daylily operation like you have, you have to do what you can to control rust. Luckily, a successful treatment regime was developed. That must have been a nightmare for you in 2001! I know the citrus industry here in Florida is dealing with a horrible disease called Citrus greening:
I really do not know the answer, I just know I seem to have less and less rust in the fall each year, It could very well be what we are spraying with, but I also think the daylily, after 12 years has a little more resistance than before. Plants seem to have that survival gene to overcome things.
I know of no organic treatment. Years ago we tried several things because of the cost of chemicals but none worked.
Susan Ask
What did you do when they shut you down? Did you really whack 1200 daylilies? What a job that must have been.
We had no choice but to cut everything because of our sales operation. They gave us thirty days to clear up the rust and then inspected again before we could ship. Things have really changed since then because rusted is now classified as a nuisance, they still inspect for rust but do not close you down if you have a small amount and know you have a spray program. They are more concerned about shipping fire ants than rust, we also have the property sprayed for those every eighteen months. Nothing worse than picking up a pot of daylilies full of fire ants.
