So I noticed one of my seedlings leaning today, so I went to see what was going on and this is what I found, it looks healthy but all the roots are gone, any idea what problem I am dealing with? I planted it back in the ground hoping it will survive.

No sign I can see of chewing, so I have to suspect root rot. Has that area been wet for a period of time?

We had rain last Friday, and I watered them last night, the ground was moist, where it was. I sure hope the rest of them dont do the same thing, I would cry.

There has to be something more than moisture in the ground for rot to form I think. I grow most of my daylilies in a very boggy area and have had almost no root rot. Some plants just seem to be more prone to it. I think there is some type of fungus in the ground that has to be present also for root rot to be a problem. We are not even sure that is what the problem is, so no need to panic for sure. Maybe contact you county extension agent and see if they can give some insight on the problem.

Should I remove the pine shaw from the bed?

I would not remove the pine straw from the bed. I might remove it from around that plant and the soil the plant was growing in and put new soil there, assuming it is root rot. But I would love to get other opinions here and see what others think.

If you dig in the soil, especially near the grass, do you see any grubs like this?

https://www.daylilies.org/ahs_...

Voles might be another option if you've seen them around.

I have not seen any of them, when I am pulling grass or weeds. I am not gonna water the bed for a week, and check the soil, I will start checking the soil before I water each time, maybe it was just to wet, I hope that was the problem and I hope that will be my only one damaged.

Thinking its voles.

I think if it was root rot you would see more symptoms on the leaves.

When you replanted it did you shorten the leaves? When I had that happen due to grubs I cut the leaves back (because there were no roots to supply them with water), potted it and kept it in the shade until it re-rooted.

Another possibilty ....that feeds on roots.

Wireworm larve....

https://garden.org/learn/artic...
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/...

I have moles and voles and I do not recall ever having a daylily end up like that. Slightly shorten some roots, but not every bit of them.

I lean towards wireworms or grubs.

May you be blessed with beautiful blooms this year!

@sooby when I get home today I will cut the leave back and move it to the shade, to see if that helps. I am thinking it must be something eating the roots, I am gonna dig around in my bed later today and see if I can find anything, I did notice ants lots of ants in that area, could ants have done it?

Not likely ants. I know from experience that white grubs can do that, also voles. So when you dig around for grubs look also for small holes in the ground in that general area that could be vole holes. See also if you can find any root remains where the plant was.

I cut the leaves back, and dug in the ground where it was planted no roots at all, nothing, I dug in several spots around that plant and thur our my bed. No grubs anywhere that I seen, however under that plant and a few more spots there were voids in the ground, so maybe voles or moles? I know i have moles in the back yard, but have never seen any tunnels in the front yard.

Moles would not have done that damage, they aren't plant eaters but they could have eaten any grubs that were there. It's more likely voles.

White grubs decimated a small seedling bed I had last year. Dig around the in that area and see if you find any.

I'm so sorry for the critter issues everyone has. I must have the nicest wild things ever, as the bunnies, raccoons, voles, squirrels, deer etc, do not mess with the daylily beds. Granted the coons eat all the peaches and the birds get all the grapes, but so far- not one of the creatures I share space with have even nibbled on a daylily.



I hope the critters will relent and find their "natural" breakfasts, lunches, and dinners- and they'll leave your gardens alone.

Voles? That's what it sounds like to me.

Found 8 more plants today no roots at all, but a nice hole under them, how can I get rid of the grubs without killing my flowers?

Have you actually seen any grubs yet? Otherwise with a hole underneath and that many damaged it sounds more like voles.