Rooting daylily scapes

I have a book belonging to my mother which states that you can root daylily scapes but so far all of my attempts (two) have been unsuccessful. Is there some special secret to doing this? All of mine rotted within a few days -- maybe too damp? The book says to use a mixture of sand and spaghnum moss, cut the scapes about 1" above and 1" below the scape, dip in rooting compound, and plant in the sand and moss mixture, and it would root in several weeks.

Are you referring to proliferations that sometimes develop on a scape? The proliferations can be rooted.

Yes. Scapes were what were referred to in the book, however, it's the proliferations I'm speaking of. What is the best way to do this?

Jean, here's link to a thread that may help:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/629757/

There are many discussions on this topic that can be found on the Daylily forum.

Good luck!

Figaro - this was a really informative thread. Thanks so much.I have learned quite a it about proliferations. Most of my daylilies have already bloomed and I hope they are producing proliferations -- now I just have to find some to try to root. It is hot here in AR and the chiggers are dreadful -- so think I will wait until tomorrow to begin my search.

Jean, I noticed a proliferation on my Siloam Cinderella last fall, but I made the mistake of trying to root it in the ground near the mother plant. It was just too late in the season here in northern Illinois. I should have potted it and overwintered it in the house. Oh well, we live and learn.

By the way -- a belated welcome to Dave's Garden! This is the friendliest and safest place on the internet. This is my only source for gardening information -- I've learned so much here, and I've expanded my interest in various plants -- including Daylilies!

Thanks for the welcome -- I, too, have learned so much here. I wish I had all of this knowledge long ago, however, long ago, I was working and had little time for gardening, except I did grow some splendid tomatoes back in Wheaton and some georgeous hostas around our patio. The hostas I divided and brought with us to AR. Too hot in FL to grow them, however, so have to enjoy other plants there. Last year, my husband and I made a daylily bed beside our house there and bought some from a local couple. Didn't have names for them, but as they bloom, I will try to identify them. This is my favorite (probably because my husband gave this to me for our anniversary).

Jean, that's a beautiful daylily. And such a thoughtful gift for a gardener! Are you referring to Wheaton, Illinois? If so, what a small world!

Yes, that's Wheaton, IL. We lived there for 35 years. Our youngest son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren still live in Winfield and another granddaughter lives in Oak Park. We will be going up there for her wedding the end of this month. Don't visit Illinois in the winter -- too cold! Here is another pix of the same daylily I got when we were in FL the first of June.

Just beautiful. I love the ruffled edges.

You're so right about Illinois in the winter! I thought this past winter would never end ... and summer is just flying by way too fast! Oh well, at least the Black-Eyed Susans haven't bloomed yet -- so there's still hope! I always say summer's on it's way out when the Black-Eyed Susans start to wither.