QUESTION: I have a problem with my daylilies. When the flowers open, they look like they are all chewed up. I don't see any bugs on them opened or closed. I've sprayed with insecticidal soap, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Do you have any idea what the problem could be?ANSWER: The problem is thrips, a tiny insect that lives on leaves and flower buds, sucking the sap and damaging the plant tissue. This can keep buds from opening into flowers or produce very disfigured ones.Clemson Cooperative Extension Service suggests checking for thrips by holding a sheet of stiff paper under leaves and flowers, then bumping the leaves and buds with your hands.If there are, you should see these tiny insects move about on the paper.Treat infestations with insecticidal soap.

QUESTION: Can we cut down some of the length of the iris leaves now? They are hiding everything else in our garden. When is the best time?ANSWER: I bet you have some of the wonderful old-fashioned irises that grow with such vigor they seem to take over their space. These are wonderful garden flowers, and usually remind people of their mother's and grandmother's flower gardens. They are easy to grow and amenable to division of rhizomes.I think you should avoid cutting back the leaves as the plants need the foliage to keep growing well. Instead, move them to a spot where the tall foliage won't overpower things growing behind it.Do this work in July or August, at a time when it's not too hot (under 90 degrees) so the shock to the plants is not too great. This will give them plenty of time to develop new roots to keep the plants well anchored in the ground through the winter.Watch for tomato blightEarly blight on tomato plants is a fungal (Alternaria solani) infection that shows up first as dark brown spots, eventually developing concentric rings outlined with a yellow halo. They move up on the plant. Leaves fall, but the plants tend to continue bearing fruits, though in reduced amounts.Pick off all infected leaves. Spray the clean foliage with a product that states on the label it works against this blight.Nancy Brachey works for The Charlotte Observer, 600 S. Tryon St., P.O. Box 30308, Charlotte, NC 28230.