HOOKER FORMULA

The 'Hooker Formula' was developed many years ago by George W. Hooker, a retired chemist living in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. The original formula called for measurements in coffee cans and orange juice cans. All the ingredients plus some water were mixed together to make the stock. Then the stock was further diluted and slowly poured around the roots of the plant. Mr Hooker, who was active in both the American Hemerocallis Society and the American Rose Society passed away in 1978*.
Notice: this formula was based on Mr. Hooker's individual soil needs. You should have your soil analyzed and if needed, adjust the ingredients to match your own soil's particular needs. Furthermore, as I have changed to a more organic method of feeding my daylilies, I no longer use this formula. I continue to post this on my site because of the popularity of this method of fertilization.

Trying to be a little more precise and having a 15-gallon plastic barrel for mixing, I adapted the recipe as follows.
15 Tbsp water soluable fertilizer (Miracle Grow (15-30-15), Peters (20-20-20), etc...)

1 cup Epsom salts

1 cup liquid iron

1 cup fish emulsion

1/2 cup Cygon (systemic insecticide)

15 gallons of water

CAUTION: Cygon is a fairly TOXIC chemical and I personally recommend you leave it out. I include it here only because it was included in the original formula. While it does serve a useful purpose (protects the plants against attack by insects), I believe it is also poisonous to earthworms. If used, follow label directions carefully.

Put the ingredients into the 15 gallon barrel, then add the water using a garden hose making sure the ingredients are well mixed and disolved. As the mixture should not be stored, adjust the recipe to make only the amount you need.

Apply 2-4 cups to each clump, more or less, depending on the size of the clump (see my hidden pot trick for how I ensure the liquid properly soaks the roots)

* I would like to thank Mr. Hooker's daughter and grandson who supplied me with the information about Mr. Hooker and his formula.