Pollination Info for Purple D' Oro Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Purple De Oro')

The Purple D' Oro Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Purple De Oro') is a hybrid daylily cultivar known for its deep purple, trumpet-shaped flowers with a yellow-green throat. As with all other daylily varieties, this cultivar primarily relies on insect pollination for reproductive success.

The flowers of the Purple D' Oro Daylily are rich in pollen and nectar, attracting a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. These pollinators visit the flowers for their sweet nectar, and in the process, inadvertently transfer pollen from the flower's anthers to its stigma, fertilizing the ovules and enabling seed production.

One interesting fact about the pollination of daylilies is that their flowers are only open for a single day, leading to their common name "daylily." However, most daylily cultivars, including the Purple D' Oro, produce multiple flower buds on each stem, which ensures a prolonged blooming period and a higher chance of successful pollination.

Although daylilies are primarily insect-pollinated, hybridizers and gardeners also use hand-pollination techniques to cross different daylily cultivars, generating new and unique varieties. In hand-pollination, the breeder will manually collect pollen from one flower using a small brush or cotton swab, and transfer it to the stigma of another flower on the same or a different plant. The resulting seeds will contain genetic traits from both parent plants, leading to new, hybrid offspring.

In summary, the Purple D' Oro Daylily relies on insect pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, for successful pollination. The flowers are rich in pollen and nectar, attracting a wide range of pollinators. Hybridizers may also use hand-pollination techniques to create new and unique daylily cultivars.

Purple D' Oro Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Purple De Oro') FAQ

1. What is a Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Purple D' Oro Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Purple De Oro') is a perennial plant that produces beautiful purple flowers with yellow centers.

2. What are the ideal growing conditions for Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Purple D' Oro Daylily thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.

3. How do you plant Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Plant the Purple D' Oro Daylily in the spring or fall. Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball. Place the plant in the hole, and cover it with soil. Water the plant deeply.

4. How often should you water Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Water the Purple D' Oro Daylily once a week unless rainfall has been adequate.

5. How do you fertilize Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Fertilize the Purple D' Oro Daylily with a balanced fertilizer once in the spring and once in the fall.

6. How do you deadhead Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Remove the spent blooms of the Purple D' Oro Daylily by cutting them back to the base of the flower stalk. This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.

7. How do you divide Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Divide the Purple D' Oro Daylily in the fall by digging up the clump of plants. Carefully separate the individual plants, and replant them at the same depth.

8. What are the benefits of growing Purple D' Oro Daylily?

Purple D' Oro Daylily is a low maintenance plant that provides beautiful blooms throughout the summer. It also attracts pollinators to your garden.

Planting Purple D' Oro Daylily

1. Choose a planting location that receives full sun to partial shade.

2. Loosen the soil in the planting area to a depth of approximately 12 inches.

3. Mix in organic matter such as compost or aged manure to improve soil fertility and drainage.

4. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and about as deep as the plant's current pot.

5. Place the plant in the hole and fill with soil, firming it down around the root ball.

6. Water the planting area thoroughly.

Caring for Purple D' Oro Daylily

1. Water the plant regularly, providing approximately 1 inch of water per week.

2. Fertilize the plant in early spring and mid-summer with a balanced fertilizer.

3. Deadhead spent blooms by removing the entire flower stem after the bloom has finished.

4. Remove yellow or brown foliage and spent flower stems to promote healthy growth.

5. Divide the plant every 3-5 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor.

6. Watch for pests such as aphids or spider mites and treat them promptly to prevent damage to the plant.

7. Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Additional Tips

- Purple D' Oro Daylilies are relatively low maintenance and can be grown in containers as well as in the ground.

- They are hardy in USDA zones 3-9

- Avoid overwatering or allowing the soil to remain waterlogged to prevent root rot

- Enjoy the beautiful blooms as cut flowers, as they make great additions to bouquets or arrangements.