Growing Daylilies Together

when would you and how much boron would you use to increase pod fertility and increse seed production in daylilies

Hi Bill,

I just did a search and read about Boron. The biggest things I read, too much is deadly to plants. On the flip side, I can see better seed pod setting with it's use.

I have no idea how much or how little. Every site I read said to get a soil test before using. That's what I would recommend.

I only answered so your request would stay at the top and maybe someone who really knows will answer.
Good luck and blessings, Mona

Sorry I can't give you any numbers, but perhaps this will help. I was at the 2010 AHS National Convention in Valdosta, GA. One of the Saturday afternoon speakers was Mark Crawford. He may be best known as the individual who was the prime mover behind the used of nickel to augment daylily resistance to rust. He spoke on the necessity of boron as a micronutrient in daylilies. I cannot remember numbers he might have given or whether any numbers were even mentioned. Nevertheless, he did comment on improvement of daylily fertility and the reduction of scape blasting through boron utilization. I also remember comments on boron toxicity if too much was present, but again, no numbers. He also mentioned that he sold a liquid boron supplement for use with daylilies. You can probably get more information directly from him. He serves and a Scientific Advisor/Plant Pathologist for AHS Region 5 and since his contact information is listed on that website, I will copy it here:

Mark Crawford
P.O. Box 5611
Valdosta, GA 31603
(292) 424-2965
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you contact him and get the data you are looking for, please share it here for the rest of us. Thanks.

I spoke to a gardener who experienced too much boron. They had been adding seaweed to their garden. They got a soil test because there was a serious lack of bloom. The reason for the lack of bloom ? Too much boron! The solution - lay off the seaweed until boron levels dropped.

The message I get from this, be very careful with micro nutrients. Unless you don't mind missing a season of bloom.

You would not think the seaweed could add that much boron. I sure would not have, at least before.

I'm very interested in the use of boron or anything that would be useful to promote scapes and better buds. Please keep going until you can find out the amount to us to help and the amount "not" to use. I guess when to apply, spring, fall, once a month or whatever would be needed.

I think I read somewhere that boron is either boric acid or one is gotten from the other. So, I guess I would also need to know where it can be purchased.

Thanks and blessings, Mona