I have some seeds that I have dried out from my mother daisy plant. Can I sow seeds now or do I have to wait till spring?
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/shasta-daisy/planting-shasta-daisies.htm
Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring.
If you seed directly, expect blooms the following spring after one season’s growth.
I am trying to grow perennial plants in large containers in a sun room whose temperature varies between 60 and 80 degrees F. The plants were growing in these containers outside all summer and I just simply brought them inside. The company from which I bought the plants says they have to go dormant and I should let this happen ASAP. I don't agree with this. This whole idea is something I never tried before and is all an experiment. The reason I am doing it is because I am 92 years old and can no longer maintain my flower beds. I am in the Pocono mountain area of Pa. in zone 5b. I have been growing plants from seed for more than 50 years and am a PSU extension service master gardener, but you are never too old to learn something new. Your thoughts on this idea would be appreciated. Walter
I would say go for it! Many outdoor plants do well as houseplants too. Some species may have shorter lifespans if they never go dormant, but many species are able to look nice or even bloom indoors in the winter as well. Here is an example of how Gerbera daisies, usually grown outdoors, are grown and able to bloom indoors, something I'm currently doing:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/gerbera-daisies-indoors.htm
Why would all the petals be off my flowers, the leaves look ok. We did have heavy rain but we have sand and it drains in 1 hr.
Usually, after pollination, the petals will drop as the pods swell for seeds. Unfortunately for humans, this is a sign that the plant is accomplishing the life goal of reproduction. There will be little that you can do to stop this process. This is just a part of nature, and will yield to its reproduction later.
Slugs have been at my new Shasta daisy every leaf has been got at, I've dug it up but not sure what to do.
Sorry to hear about your shasta daisy! It will likely recover and bloom later than usual this year. Is it in full sun? Slugs in my yard linger where it is shady and cooler. That's why you hear about slugs and hosta so much. But, if you are sure slugs are your pest, there are effective controls. Here is a run-down of effective options: https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-control-slugs
The past several years, my shasta daisies have looked great. This spring we had quite a bit of really freezing cold days with lots of rain. Most of my daisies did not come up. Could they have been frozen? If yes, what are the chances they will come back next year?
Some shasta daisies can be short lived perennials. If they did have new growth in spring and were hit by frost they probably were killed. This article may help
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/shasta-daisy/planting-shasta-daisies.htm
Not sure if this damage is being caused by a mole or something else. I have a large plot of daisies by the back porch, something has pushed the whole stem, from the dirt, over. It is like the stem has been cut at the bottom, but the root is left in the ground. I am wondering if a mole has pushed over the daisy, but you would think the root would come up too. I am completely puzzled by this. Can you give me some advice, I don't want to lose all my daisies. I have picked up about 20 cut plants so far. Thanks.
If you determine the type of critter causing the damage it can help with eliminating the damage.
Moles and Voles are often found tunneling around garden beds.
These links will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/mole-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/vole-control.htm
Will they return each year
It depends on the daisy, and the climate. Some will and some won't come back. In colder zones, there are more that won't come back.