How to Control Daylily Rust Disease

Caused by the fungus Puccinia hemerocallidis, daylily rust is a fairly new disease in the United States. It first emerged in 2000 in Georgia, but it has since spread to at least 30 other states. Certain sections of the infected daylily leaves look drenched when, in fact, they’re dry. Those areas swell up with orange spores as the disease progresses. Certain cultural practices and fungicides help keep this disease in check.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Rake
• Trashcan
• Shears
• Bucket
• 9 parts water
• 1 part bleach
• 2 fungicides

1. Rake and discard all leaves in the fall to eliminate places for the fungus to over-winter.
2. Prune all stems that have leaves with rust spores, and trash them as you go. Have a bucket with a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part bleach by your side to disinfect your shears. Dip them in after each cut.
3. Alternate treating your daylily with two preventive fungicides after pruning its diseased tissue. Select formulas containing any of the following chemicals: azoxystrobin, myclobutanil, propaconizole and flutolonil. Apply the two you choose according to the manufacturer’s instructions.