I'm done. The entire garden stinks of Seaweed Fertilizer. Maybe this will give me some rebloom.

I ordered another gallon to have on hand as this spraying today made my current bottle run low.

I'm sure your daylilies are thanking you Rita.

I have started using a hose end sprayer too, even spraying for rust. I did notice rust on one of the plants right on the end of the bed after being sprayed, and after thinking about it realized that I probably just sprayed the end with water, that it takes a moment for the water to pull the solution up into the water stream. Now I start spraying before I get to the plants and haven't had any more rust on the end plants. Live and learn!
Ed

I have been using a hose end sprayer on the roses for at least the past two years. It's not that hard to do and goes so much faster than trying to spray with a tank sprayer. The roses have to be done with systemic fungicide every two weeks and this way I don't even have to measure. Just use the dial and spray. I am sure glad I don't live were I would have to spray for rust!

The fertilizer spraying was actually easier as I don't need the gloves and long pants I wear for the rose spraying. Could spray wearing the usual garden shorts and flip flops, which is what I did.

I have not sprayed anything for the last month or so.Its just so hot out there,and everything is in full sun until sundown.It got to 98 today and felt like 109, is what the weather man said,and I sure believe him as I went out for 10 minutes to get the mail,and check on some pots to see if they needed water then, or could wait a few hours,and My short hair was soaking wet and dripping with sweat in just that few minutes.

Jean

You have been busy again. I have been busy thinking about whether it is time to fertilize the daylilies. They certainly are looking in need of something after blooming.

Yesterday, I fertilized the first section of daylilie, and I cut 6 small mimosa trees (not in my yard, across the street)then unloaded and spread 40 cubic yards of mulch. I also weeded a large area but there's more to do there too.

Today, I have to spray the roses and continue fertilizing the daylilies.

kay

Jean, if it was as hot here as it is your way, I would not be spraying those daylilies either. But they really needed a pick me up.

Nancy, I think it really helps to fertilize after bloom and I have always used the liquid Seaweed Fertilizer for this summertime feeding.

Kay, You are wonder woman, getting all that done in one day. I was tired after all my spraying yesterday and that was enough garden work for me. But I am glad I got the daylilies fertilized.

I have been mulching too and of course when you mulch you have to weed first. But I use my bales of straw. Will have to take pictures of the mulched areas so you all can see what it looks like.

I must disagree with all this, people....fertilizing during hot, dry times is not a good idea. When Dan Trimmer lived on Long Island, he would fertilize according to a different schedule. This is from his "The Care and Feeding of Daylilies":

"When I lived on Long Island this active growth period started just after the dormants broke dormancy. Following bloom season with the first cool weather in the early fall was the time for a second very serious feeding period. It's important not to use a time release fertilizer at this time as we want our rapid growth to end before the onset of very cold weather. This second feeding period can result in twice the plant the following year as compared to unfed plants. In Florida or the deep south we can't feed too much in the summer due to the excessive heat, so most of the feeding takes place from November through March."

That's the only saved info I have, but if you do an online search for tips on daylily culture, you will probably find recommendations that, if you're going to do a second round of fertilizing, it should be done when temperatures begin to cool (i.e., late summer or fall). But we still have the Dog Days of August to get through!

The heat or dry conditions by themselves are not the issue. It's that daylilies react by going dormant or at least not actively growing.

Those of you who have fertilized, all I can say is water, water, water. And yet more water!

Now, if I am wrong about this, I'm ready to be corrected!

I'd read something like that as well. My plan (in ohmygosh hot Houston) is to fertilize once in early October and once in early March.

Nate

Well, Dan Trimmer can do it his way and I will continue to do it my way. Been doing this for years like this and it works for me.

We did have two nights of rain so the ground was not dry. One reason why I picked yesterday to use the liquid fertilizer as the daylilies were well watered. And while we had that heat spell last week, it broke and the weather has been really nice. Of course it will get warmer as this is summer. I have moved daylilies in the worst of the hot summer weather so just feeding them is hardly stressful. Oh, and if it diesn't rain, I will be watering.

But everyone should do as they feel is best. This is my routine for daylily feeding and I am sure I will be doing the same next year also.

lynxe,

The fertilizer Rita and I use is mainly providing micro-nutrients. There is no nitrogen in it. I feel sure that Rita also waters hers if they need it, and I have been watering all summer as needed and will continue to do so.
kay

Kay makes a good point. I don't use the bagged fertilizers at this time of the year. Too hot and too dry for them. I always use the Neptune Liquid Seaweed for my mid summer feeding.

I went to several places here, Our One nursery now, since the other two closed and went out of business,and checked the feed store to get some of that liquid fertilizer,RITA, and no one had ever heard of it,and tried to talk me into a grandulated fertilizer.I told the feed store man I will come back later for some of the granules, but, dont want it right now.The nursery did tell me she might can get it for me and call me if she gets it.I have been using the PETERS WATER SOLUABLE fertilizer, and a rose fertilizer special for roses.

Jean

Jean, I am not familiar with that fertilizer but I would say if you have been using that and getting the results you get with all the rebloom then I wouldn't change a thing.

We had a 20 percent chance of rain forcast for yesterday and also today. I figgure if we didn't get rain by today I was planing on starting the big sprinklers and watering everything to really water in the fertilizer. Not that a liquid has to be watered in but those daylilies do love their water. But it rained good overnight so I didn't have to do a thing.

I find water is the BEST fertilizer. We have been lucky to have decent amounts of rain this summer. I will fertilize in early October after it cools down a bit.

Debra

gosh,I wish we would get rain like some of you folks has been getting. Totaling up everything for the last 3 months,we have gotten almost 3 inches of rain all totaled.I know Texas has done worse, in rain fall.

Jean

I would not recommend applying a high nitrogen fertilizer in late spring, summer or early fall months, especially during periods of high heat and low moisture. It should be applied just before natural high growth periods. Slow release fertilizers usually state a duration period. Apply one that finishes before the heat of summer sets in.

Organic fertilizers like the liquid seaweed, fish emulsion and several meals nourish the soil as much as feed the plants. It would be hard to overdo them at any time of the year where they would causes the plant harm, UNLESS they have additional fertilizers added. But there are periods when the plant will take more advantage of them than other periods. These periods will be different depending on your area.
Ed

Ed - Thanks for the info on the organic fertilizers. I may try those. What about Milorganite?

Debra

Thanks Ed, good to know. I really love the Neptune Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer as I have used it here on my daylilies and roses for years. I use it mostly during the summer season. The plants seem to love it.

Debra,
Milorganite is organic, but from human waste, so it's higher in nitrogen (6%) than those derived from plants. I use lots of it in the flower beds but would not use during the summer months. I usually add some to the hole when planting. It also deters squirrels and armadillos from digging in the beds when fresh. It and alfalfa are my favorite nitrogen sources.
Ed

Rita, Do you order the Neptunes online? I have seen it somewhere but can't remember where. And I do have to say that all anybody has to do is look at your pics to know you know what your doing and what works for you. Lots of good info in this thread. Thanks, Judy

Judy, yes, I do order it on line as I buy the gallon size. We have a local nursery here that sells it in the quart size which is how I discovered it years ago. I know there are other brands but I swear by the Neptune brand as being the best of the liquid fertilizers.

Here is a link that might be useful: Neptunes Harvest Fertilizers

I just finished. I doused them today again with the same stuff. We have been having nice rains and it even rained again last night. I figgure between the rain and fertilizer they should really get growing nicely. Lots of green growth already since the last time I did this.

Spray day is really a big job when I do it like today as I not only did the fertilizer but then I just started again with the roses as they needed there fungicide spray. Did the fertizer first this time as I really wanted to get them another dose of Neptunes.

Rita,
I used my fish emulsion on one section, and left one section. The second section will definitely its own fish emulsion this week as the difference in the two sections is marked. Nobody gets high nitrogen stuff though. I have to spray roses again too.

There is always something to do in the garden.

kay

I go around and do everything so I don't really have a compairison were it was not done. I just know that it is good for them and they respond to the nutrients that feed the plants and soil. Kay, you do feed yours more than I feed mine.

Rita, How do you use it with the hose end sprayer? I have tons of daylilies too and hardly ever fertilize them but would like to if I can find an easy way of doing it. I have tried the organic fertilizers but we so scarely get the rain to make it work good so I have been trying to use a liquid fertilizer (mills magic easy feed) on my roses and its time consuming pulling my wagon around and dumping a gallon or so on every rose bush. I have a couple hundred roses and a couple hundred or more lilies and enjoy pulling my wagon around sometimes but always looking for an easier way of doing things. Thanks, Judy

Judy, there are many brands of hose end sprayers available. Most are the no mix kind were you just dial and spray. Put the fertilizer undiluted just as it comes from the bottle into the no mix srayer. Dial up the correct setting, attach to hose and off you go. The sprayer pulls up the correct amount and mixes with the water as you spray everything.

I use an ortho dial and spray which I buy at home depot. Doesn't cost much. They are not very big, don't need to be.

Thanks Rita, I didn't know if the fish emulsion needed to be applied like I do the roses or if you did just attach and go. I will give it a try. Thanks, Judy

Judy, I do my roses with the hose end sprayer also. Not just the fertilzer but my fungicide that I spray every two weeks.

I had really good timing with the fertilizer as we had nice rain yesterday late afternoon to wash it all in. I had also fertilised my blueberries but on those I used the Holly Tone bagged fertilizer. I had put it on heavy and it really stunk there in blueberry row. But now after the rain it washed that in also which is very good. Blueberries really needed it.

Boy you all are so busy, I want to fertilize, and I did that in the very early early spring with milorganite. I was told that the milorganite needs to be put down early, well before seeing any scapes. So glad I read all this, I was thinking about putting more milorganite down, but now I won't. I did pump water from the lake twice this summer, and it may be my imagination, but the daylilies seem to start new growth after a few days. The lake water must be good for them, probably better than what I get from my well. I also use the fish emulsion, mix it up in a large bucket and then use a watering can!! A lot of work, but it gives me the opportunity to inspect every single daylily!!! And I like to do that. I think I will use the fish emulsion this weekend,( I already have some ) as we also have recently had some much needed rain. I watered from the lake a few weeks ago, and then again one week ago, and I am seeing some rebloom scapes!!! They seem to come out of nowhere. I will try the Neptunes, thanks for the link Rita.
cindy

Cindy, I have never used the milorganite so can not give you any advice there. In the summer I always use the liquid fertilizer. I have been using the seaweed and Kay used the fish emulsion. Both are fabulous products. I was looking at the fans today and they are really greening up from all the fertilizer.

I am sure that the lake water is better than the well water as the lake water has all sorts of micro nutreints in it.

Ok Rita, I bought me a dial n spray today and after seeing it it makes more sense to me. I understand now how it works so hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can put that baby to work. Ordered me some Neptunes too so as soon as I get it I may just go ahead and try it out. Judy

Judy, I love the dial and spray method. That is the way I spray everything these days. I use it for the liquid fertilizer, for the rose fungicide and for the daylilies when I need to spray for thrips.

I promise this will be the last question. Promise!! Do you mix them all together if you need to spray several things? I guess as long as they have the same measurement. I use the Bayer for fungicide and keep some Bayer for insects too but usually only use it to spot spray for beetles when they are their heaviest. grrr.... Hate those Jap beetles. You know I have the worst time with thrips on my lighter roses and may try to use it on them next spring. So you just spray the buds at a certain time to be effective on the roses?? Oops, another question!! Lol!! I have learned on here too that thrips must be whats making my lilies splotchy too. Thanks, Judy

Judy, I don't know about Thrips on roses. I doubt that the spray would work. Maybe. I don't have thrips on the roses. I only use the fungicide on the roses.

I spray the daylilies for thrips using a systemic fungicide. You need to spray before any buds open if you want the flowers clean. Otherwise if you think you might not have damage wait and see. But I wanted my daylily flowers clean so sprayed before opening. Then again two weeks later.

I don't have Japanese Beetles either but from all I have heard the sprays don't do much good.

No I don't mix stuff together. I sray the roses with fungicide. If I want to spray them with the Neptunes, I spray them seperatly. But the neptunes and fungicide can be mixed together but then you have to toss out any leftover mix after your spraying.