Daylily Scape Blast: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Daylilies are generally easy to care for, but they can be prone to a condition called scape blast. Scape blast is a sudden bursting, cracking, splitting, or breaking of the scapes (flower stalks) of daylilies. The name “scape blast” comes from the way the scapes burst, which resembles a blown-up firecracker.
What Causes Scape Blast?
The most common cause of scape blast is internal pressure that builds up in the scapes. This pressure can be caused by irregular watering or overwatering following drought. Other factors that can contribute to scape blast include extreme temperature changes, excess nitrogen, and fertilizing prior to increased soil moisture. Tetraploid daylilies (those with four sets of chromosomes) are more prone to scape blast due to their less flexible cell structures.
How to Prevent Scape Blast
Preventing scape blast is not always possible, but there are some things you can do to reduce the risk:
- Water your daylilies regularly, especially during periods of drought.
- Avoid fertilizing your daylilies until late summer, when they are gathering energy for next year’s blooms.
- Don’t fertilize your daylilies when the soil is dry.
- Plant cultivars that are more prone to scape blast in clumps rather than individual crowns.
- Increase the boron levels in your soil slightly before the scapes emerge in spring. You can do this by adding fresh compost or a slow-release organic nitrogen fertilizer, like Milorganite.
How to Treat Scape Blast
Once scape blast occurs, there is little you can do to fix it. However, you can take steps to make the best of the situation:
- Remove completely blasted scapes to improve the appearance of your plants and make way for new scapes.
- For partially affected scapes, you can try supporting the blasted area with a splint. To do this, attach a popsicle stick to the partially severed scape with duct tape.
Signs of Scape Blast
Look for these signs of scape blast in your daylilies:
- Bursting, cracking, splitting, or breaking of the scapes
- Horizontal or vertical breaks in the scapes
- Exploding scapes that resemble blown-up firecrackers
- Clean breaks that look like the scapes have been cut with shears
- Vertical ruptures down the length of the scapes
Tips for Preventing and Treating Scape Blast
- Water your daylilies regularly, especially during periods of drought. This will help to prevent internal pressure from building up in the scapes.
- Avoid fertilizing your daylilies until late summer, when they are gathering energy for next year’s blooms. Fertilizing too early can lead to excess nitrogen, which can contribute to scape blast.
- Don’t fertilize your daylilies when the soil is dry. This can also lead to excess nitrogen and scape blast.
- Plant cultivars that are more prone to scape blast in clumps rather than individual crowns. This will help to support the scapes and reduce the risk of them breaking.
- Increase the boron levels in your soil slightly before the scapes emerge in spring. Boron helps to strengthen the cell walls of plants, which can reduce the risk of scape blast.
- Remove completely blasted scapes to improve the appearance of your plants and make way for new scapes.
- For partially affected scapes, you can try supporting the blasted area with a splint. This will help to keep the scape from breaking further.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent and treat scape blast in your daylilies.