When my editor suggested that I interview Darrel Apps, I jumped at the opportunity. Not only have I drooled over his plants, but I knew that he attended the MWS in Chattanooga. He is a very busy man as are most daylily grower/hybridizers so I was prepared to call back. But, hallelujah, he had just finished with the retail season and had some time to talk to me!
Darrel has been married almost 37 years ( married in 1965) to Marilyn, who is a nurse. She is still active in her profession and he is very proud of her. They have two grown daughters. I forgot to ask about grandchildren, but maybe some other time. He also told me that he not only has a degree in horticulture, but a PH D in Agricultural Extension Education.
They moved the nursery business from Pennsylvania to New Jersey about seven years ago. He moved to increase his business. Now, in addition to retail and mail order, he sells seedlings to Parks Seed Catalogue.
One of his hybridizing interests is rebloom. I knew of several of his rebloomers such as PARDON ME, HAPPY RETURNS, ROSY RETURNS, but didn't know that he has produced APRICOT SPARKLE, which is new this year. He says that rebloom is in recessive genes and is much more difficult to produce than is generally known. He also uses diploids because they are easier to hybridize. Edges are another specialty. This year he is using BRIDGETON ELEGANCE, a white that seems to put edges on many new daylilies.
He has between 10-14 acres that he uses for growing, showing, and creating daylilies. He employs four extra people to assist. He did tell me that he loves Latin people that he employs because they are so happy. I agreed with him as I know several Latinos myself. He is also working with lots of doubles. When I asked him if he had a favorite flower, he candidly replied that it was whatever people were buying that day. It was a tongue in cheek remark that was spoken with remarkable matter of factness. He has a great sense of humor and quickness of mind. I couldn't remember the quips he made as we talked because he did them so fast, but he could give Billy Crystal a run for his money!
We touched on his preference for using chemicals to grow clean daylilies. He feels that when you mono culture plants, you owe your customers clean plants. Once the plants are installed in a home garden, spraying becomes not as necessary due to the balance of other plants. He says New Jersey is highly regulated as to methods of application and what chemicals you use. All users of chemicals must report what, when, and how often they use chemicals once a year. If inappropriate chemicals are used or too much of them, the state can make you comply.
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