That's interesting, Sue.
As it turns out, it could be the older plants had the benefit of mineralized soil to their advantage.
They had been accidentally overloaded with Ocean Solutions last year when I started to pay attention to these long neglected plants.
Then they got Milorganite and Epsom Salts. This year, they got Fertrell Organic which contains green sand, kelp, etc.
I think I'll keep using Fertrell organic fertilizers since they last about a year in the soil and would prove to actually be cheaper in the long run than those hose-end types.
I looked for potassium at Lowes today, but couldn't find a good source. Wood ashes?
Have lots of oak logs that can be burned for ashes.
Marschner's Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants sounds like it might be like the Albrecht Papers.
I think I got caught up in the moment and stopped using strictly organic when mineralization might be a big part in the answer in building stronger plants.
But I think this rust issue throws a wrench into marketing daylilies to landscapers. I've not seen any used around here.
And if they get rust and look terrible, chances are they won't be used.
Those of us who love them may be willing to take care of them through thick and thin.
But others, maybe not so much.
