How do I lessen the effects of leaf streak, rust, and root rot?
This is probably the most important factor in growing beautiful daylilies! Keep the pH of the soil up around 6.5–6.8. When used properly, lime will control more diseases for its cost than anything on the market. Most North Carolina soils tend to be acid. In this area, they are often around 5.2. We urge gardeners to get a soil test (free) from NC Department of Agriculture’s Agronomic Division on Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh. We suggest that you take several samples from your garden. If you plan to plant near concrete, that area will likely have a higher pH than an area near pine trees. Keep your samples separate and mark them so you’ll know where you took each sample. When you get your results, a note will tell you how much lime to add to your soil. How do I keep the weeds out of my daylilies? Use mulch—pine bark (watch the pH very carefully—its pH is often around 3.2), shredded leaves, hardwood bark, tree chips, shredded newspaper. Mulch holds in moisture and makes weeds much easier to
