Ultimate Guide To Transplanting Daylilies

Do you know Daylilies flowers have a lifespan of a day or a maximum of two? However, by dividing and transplanting, you can help Daylilies produce plenty of flowers. 

Sounds simple and easy but daylilies require dividing the overgrown clumps in their roots to maintain the same growth of blooms in the next growing season. 

You should not miss this article if you wish to have successful dividing and transplanting.

When To Transplant  Daylilies

After giving the continuous beautiful, star-shaped perennial blooms for about 4 to 5 weeks, Daylilies become demanding transplants for other flowers in the upcoming season.

The best time to transplant the Daylilies is during the late summer after their final bloom in June. Besides, early spring is also the perfect period when the new plants are growing or in autumn.

As for the regions where the snow starts showering in the late fall or early winter months, daylilies will also give the same results if transplanted in the late summer before the onset of freezing ground.

Growers in the USDA zone above eight can try winter transplanting when the heat waves drop at the beginning of October.

However, if daylilies seem overcrowded and fight for nutrients and sunlight, divide and transplant the Daylilies throughout the year. Make sure you do it without disturbing their root fibers and blooming time.

But do remember not to transplant during the hottest time of the summer to avoid transplant shock.

Nevertheless, transplanting will not let your efforts go to waste as it provides abundant benefits to your garden and plants.

• Transplanting helps provide extra space for the growth of other plants and decreases competition.
• When transplanting Daylilies, you may not deal with the germination problem by directly planting the seedlings instead of seeds.
• You can help the plant receive a new base rich in fertilizer for further growth.
• It is also apt to provide a neutral ground for the plant as the soil tends to be acidic after some time.
• It helps attract pollinators with vibrant blooms, adding beauty to your garden.

How To Transplant Daylilies

If you are ready to start transplanting your Daylilies, you need to get the tools that will come in handy. Scissors, Garden Forks, Shovels, and Trowel are the equipment that you need.

When you start working with the Daylilies, dividing and transplanting co-occur.

However, try not to hurt them while transplanting. They may lead the leaves to turn yellow and stress them out.

Steps To Dividing Daylilies

The growth rate is slower for new varieties like Stella d’Oro, for they do not need to divide often.

But it is never a harm to learn to divide as it will be useful in the future for other varieties like Orange Daylilies.

• Trim off the plant’s long leaves with scissors, leaving 8 to 12 inches long leaves below the cut-down part to allow better visibility of each fan of leaves.
• Insert a garden fork 8 inches away from the base of the plant to loosen up the soil without disturbing the central roots.
• Use a shovel tilted at a 45-degree angle to dig inside the ground and uplift the entire plant with the root system. Make a circle until you feel the roots have drifted from the ground.

• Remove the large clumps under the roots with the garden fork and other stubborn clumps with your hands.
• Avoid pulling out bulks of root strings but pulling a few will not be a problem.

Divide Daylillies every 3 to 5 years when the size of blossom starts to decrease, or the vigorous grower has taken over your entire garden or lawn.

• Clean the roots with a garden hose to remove any dirt or pests in the plant, and wash it thoroughly as that helps release the Daylilies from each other.
• Search between the fans for natural separation from the crown to cut them off with scissors, a sharp knife, or even your hands. There should be a minimum of 2 to 3 leaves per division.

Steps To Transplanting Daylilies

After dividing, the only step left is for you to transplant Daylilies in the right place at the right time. 

• Look out for a sunny spot receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of daily sunlight and soil with neutral pH to prevent transplant shock.
• Use a shovel to dig holes 4 inches wider and deeper than the root, keeping a gap of 15- 18 inches between the holes.
• Fill the holes with phosphorous-rich compost to provide nutrients to the transplanted fans.
• They need extra nutrients and water at the beginning of their transplantation.
• Catch the fans upright with one hand and fill the hole with soil using a trowel with another hand.
• Cover the crown lightly, escaping the air from the pits.
• Water your transplanted Daylilies every 2 to 3 days for 3 to 4 weeks, in the beginning, to establish them in the ground.
• After the total growth of Daylilies, water only once or twice a week until it reaches 8 inches deep.

Let this video clear your confusion if you have any!

Daylilies can also grow in containers, but they require more attention than the ground for water. 

Firstly, you need to grow seedlings of the Daylilies from the seed, and if you have not raised the plant, you can buy commercial seeds.

The optimum temperature of 60ºF to 70ºF with potting mix rich in nitrogen and organic matter is suitable for germination. Try doing it between March and April if you wish to see the flowers by June. 

After the seedlings have sprouted, repot the plant into a larger pot 18 to 20 inches deep or transfer them directly to the ground.

Potted Daylilies require daily watering till the seedling stage and protection from winter as they can not stand extreme cold and should be moved indoors during winter. 

You will get a good flush of blooms in your porch or patio pot here.

Caring For Daylilies After Transplanting

After transplanting, the daylilies may not produce any bloom or have fewer blooms but only for that same year. They will start their regular blooming the following year.

But the transplanted Daylilies demand care similar to that for a new plant.

Here are some considerable instructions that might help you make your transplantation successful.

• Provide the plants with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Water the plants after testing the soil 2 inches deep with your fingers. Do not use the soil tester within 18 inches of the plant.
• Soil rich in organic matter with slightly acidic to neutral pH ranging from 6.2 to 7 works well for the plant.
• Being a drought-tolerant plant, Daylilies can tolerate a wide range of diversity in humidity ranging from 50% to 80%.
• Maintain the temperature between 55ºF to 70ºF.
• In the springtime, apply a 5-10-5 N-P-K fertilizer at a time. If the soil is too poor, use a second dose in late summer or early fall.

• Use one tablespoon of bloom booster in a gallon of water every seven to 14 days to increase the size of the flowers.
• After transplanting, apply mulch over the ground with sawdust, leaf, or straw to prevent weeds’ infestation and boost water retention.
• Protect your transplanted Daylilies from aphids, spider mites, and thrips by applying insecticidal soap or neem oil during the early infestation. 
• Your Daylilies need thinning once or twice in the growing season when they start to cover the light of neighbor plants. Daylilies do not love the shade.