Daylillies Not Blooming As Expected

I have several varieties of daylillies that I planted last year and some this year. All appear healthy and thriving. In spite of this I find only about 50% of the flower buds fully bloom. An example are my "Happy Returns" which are very large and covered with buds. Every day I find I am picking off half or better of the blooms that never opened. They look dry and somewhat shriveled. If I leave them on they just fall off by themselves without opening. They get plenty of sun, we've had adequate rain this season and I supplement the rainfall with watering if needed. The soil was organically amended when planted and I keep them mulched and their beds weed free. So what's the deal here? Is this typical of daylillies? I'd appreciate your opinions.

Are the buds yellowing and then shriveling before falling off? Do some of them look deformed?

If they do, you may have a thrip problem. Thrips are little tiny insects that are no bigger than an exclamation point, so you rarely see them.

http://www.daylilies.org/ahs_dictionary/thrips.html

I fight with thrips on my daylilies and irises almost every year, and this year I started spraying early as opposed to when I started to see damage. I am using Neem Oil and Insecticidal soap every two weeks or so on my plants, and it seems to be doing the trick.

Thanks IndaShade!

Is Neem Oil an organic product? If not, maybe someone can tell me of an organic alternative. I stay away from chemicals 95% of the time.

Yes, Neem Oil is an organic product and I use it because it doesn not kill Ladybugs and other beneficial insects.

Found this on Neem Oil:

Neem oil: Neem oil is extracted from the tropical neem tree, Azadirachta indica, contains insecticidal properties that are composed of a complex mixture of biologically active compounds. It has a strong, slightly garlic-like odor that some people describe as unpleasant. Its various active ingredients act as repellents, feeding inhibitors, egg laying deterrents, growth retardants, sterilants and direct toxins. Neem has both contact and systemic action in plants. The active ingredients biodegrade rapidly in sunlight and within a few weeks in the soil. Neem oil has very low toxicity to mammals. Clarified hydrophobic extracts of neem oil are used to control some fungal diseases of plants. In India, neem products have been used in toothpaste, pharmaceuticals, and as a grain protectant for centuries without apparent harm to humans.

Thanks again Indashade!

I'll be getting some over the 4th of July weekend. Have a great holiday!

Last year I had my first thrips. Looking at the link above, it says "encourage beneficial insects". Does anyone know what's beneficial for controlling thrips on Daylilies? I hate to start with chemicals that destroy everything. Is dormant oil useful for overwintering thrip eggs? We have a pretty harsh winter in zone 4, will that help control them?

Our snow is fast disappearing and I'd like to do whatever I can to avoid the problem this year. Any help would be appreciated.