Received my order from Keast Daylily Gardens (Iowa) yesterday.
Fans looked good. Not great, not bad. I am happy.
Gift plant they gave me was North Wind Dancer. I would NEVER have picked that one and that is one of the reasons I love it. Something surprising, very different for me, and the database indicates that it is a very good plant. Looking forward to seeing it bloom some day.
Since I’m a newbie planting bareroot daylilies I was panicking when I saw the outer foliage yellowing/browning. Paul Owen has assured me that this is normal. He told me to try and not worry about them for several weeks, only occasionally checking on them. He says its common they’ll look worse before they get better and surge with new growth. So I am trying to stay calm and be patient!
I had asked Paul about alfalfa pellets and I don’t think he’ll mind me quoting his response:
“I've not used alfalfa myself, but know a LOT of people swear by it. Have at it, if available... sure can't do any harm! Personally, I use a granular lawn fertilizer as a top dressing when I plant... Lowe's sells the best for the cheapest, called "Sta-Green Plus" (29-0-5). It's a 3-month slow-release, and doesn't take much. Dl's aren't too distantly related to grass, and love all the same things as a result... primarily, N. If you use any liquid fertilizer during the course of the season, there'll be more P than they need, so don't feel you're shorting them of it.”
I did use alfalfa pellets, but did not use the lawn fertilizer (though I probably will in the future)-- instead I sprinkled a dash of Blood Meal. The plants have survived all the rain, I have survived my panic attack, and hopefully it’s smooth sailing from here
