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*. You can find his original formula here.
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.

Here's my own version which is loosely based on the Hooker formula. I mix this in a 5-gal bucket.

  • 5 Tbsp Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food (24-8-16)

  • 1/3 cup Epsom salts

  • 1 Tbsp Iron Chelate

  • 1/3 cup humate

  • Soil microbe innoculant (amount depends on which one used)

  • 5 gallons of water

  • Optional: a couple of squirts from medicine dropper of SuperThrive

Put the ingredients into the 5 gallon bucket, then add the water using a garden hose making sure the ingredients are well mixed and disolved.

Apply 2-4 cups to each clump, more or less, depending on the size of the clump.

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