- 1). Slice into the soil all around the clump of orange daylily. Lift the foliage to see where the core of the plant and underground roots lie. To avoid piercing into and destroying tubers as you dig, slice an initial ring around the clump, getting the shovel or potato fork blades no closer than 6 inches from where the leaves originate from the soil. The blades need to penetrate at least 6 to 8 inches down in the soil.
- 2). Wedge the shovel blade under the clump and push down on the tool handle to bring the daylily root ball up from the soil. Try not to pull and tear off foliage when grabbing and lifting plants from the clump as you dig them up. Rest lifted plant clumps to the side of the digging area until the entire root clump is removed.
- 3). Look at each clump of orange daylily root tubers. With a long knife or hand trowel (or shovel blade), slice into large clumps of root tubers to create small divisions. According to Mary H. Meyer with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, each plant division needs two to three stems or fans of leaves with intact root systems.
- 4). Cut off the daylily foliage to a height of 6 inches with hand pruners. Discard the cut leaves to a pile away from the work site.
- 5). Look at each division's roots. Any broken tubers or those damaged by the shovel or potato fork blades need pruning. Make the cut to remove the wound or breakage in the thinnest part of the root. Do not cut within 1/2 inch of the crown of the plant -- the area where the roots merge and transition into the green stem and leaf bases.
- 6). Transplant the daylily plant divisions immediately to the new garden site. Dig a hole deep and wide enough to contain the division's roots when spread out loosely and widely; don't cramp and bend the roots. Backfill the planting hole with the daylily so its crown is 1 inch below the top of the soil.
- 7). Water newly planted orange daylily divisions with a gentle stream of water from a sprinkling can or garden hose. Add enough water to moisten the top 8 to 10 inches of the soil after planting. This watering eliminates air pockets and brings daylily roots in direct contact with soil particles.
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