Daffodils are bulbous flowers. They are most often yellow, but there are varieties with white, pink and orange flowers or combinations of these colors.
They come from the Mediterranean region, in particular from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and North Africa. They spread naturally throughout Central Europe and are now appreciated all over the world. They symbolize new beginnings and friendship. They have been widely cultivated in Europe and have been cultivated in North America since the 1700s or even earlier.
There are several main categories of daffodils. The American Daffodil Society classifies them as Trumpet, Large Cup, Small Cup, Split Cup, Double Daffodils, Triandrus, Ccl Clamineus, J Trumpet Narcissus is certainly the most recognized common type. Within each group of daffodils there are many individual varieties and colors.
- Narcissus
- Perennial
- Full sun
- Fertile, well-drained and slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-7.0)
- Plant in the garden or in pots in autumn
- Plant 3-6″ apart in the garden.
Growing in containers:
Start several bulbs in a large pot in the fall
Keep cold until early spring
Water new plants regularly, when the soil is dry. Keep well watered, but don’t leave the soil soggy.
Climatic zones 3-8
Planting daffodils
It is best to plant narcissus bulbs directly in the garden in the fall, often at the end of September or October. These plants need cold stratification to be ready to bloom in the spring. Planting in the fall and allowing them to be refrigerated during the winter provides this in northern and colder climates, the medium where They can grow quite well in California, even in the southern regions of the state, but they must be cooled before planting. Refrigerate the bulbs for four to six weeks, then plant them in December and they should be fine. Some varieties that work well in heat up climates are Pink Charm, februar Gold
Good drainage is essential, so it is perfect to plant in raised beds or on a good steep slope. Sunny areas are best, but daffodils often do well in partial shade, but not in full shade. They should be planted deep enough, at least twice as deep as the height of the bulb. The pointed end should point upwards. If you are in an area with cold winters or if you are planting in a slightly sandy soil, plant them a little deeper. This will protect them from the cold or give them a little more space to grow if necessary.
Growing daffodils
Daffodils are an easy potted plant to grow, but there are a few things to keep in mind when growing them in containers. Choose a variety that will grow well in pots, often smaller miniature varieties are best. They should be large pots, at least 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
A square or round pot will contain about 8-9 bulbs, of the same variety. In addition, the pots should have excellent drainage, which is especially important with all bulbous flowers. It is best to plant them in the fall, just like the flowers in the garden. They still need cold lamination, so the jar should be kept a little cold, preferably at 40 F A refrigerator is ideal for this.
Keep them watered, when the soil dries up, but do not overwater The roots and shoots will begin during this period. Once the time has elapsed, move them to a heat up place (50s or 60s) so that They start to bloom after a few weeks. If you can, after a year of growth, transplant the bulbs into a garden in the fall and start new bulbs for potted daffodils the following year. They will last about 3 years in the pot.
The good companions for daffodils are azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips and dal I prefer to use rhododendrons, because they need a little less sun. In addition, rhododendrons bloom throughout spring and summer and will be a good color complement to daffodil flowers. They will still be in bloom if the early-flowering daffodils begin to fade in after spring. All these plants are perennials, have similar nutritional needs and growing conditions and do not interfere with each other.
Daffodils, like perennials, do not do well near annual vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers, or annual flowers. All these need to be dug deep when planting, which can be problematic near this perennial bulb. Taller plants nearby are also not a good choice, as they can shade the daffodils too much.
Pests and health issues of narcissus
Some parasites can become a problem. Snails, slugs and nematodes are common. Some pests specific to bulb flowers are bulb flies and scale mites. Deer and rodents are usually not a problem because they don’t eat the bulbs, and dandelions are often said to be deer-proof. In my experience, deer sometimes eat the flowers and leaves if they are not fenced. There are some famous health issues that are specific to daffodils, such as daffodil white band and daffodil yellow band. Some more common ailments include fusarium wilt, bulb rot and gray mold. The best way to prevent these health issues is to ensure good drainage and ensure that the soil does not become soggy.
Collection of daffodils
When harvesting for a flower arrangement, collect the daffodils once they have opened. Cut off the bottom of the stem and put them yourself in a vase, in water. Keep the vase in the dark for a day. After a day of soaking, remove the flowers and rinse the stems thoroughly before cutting them and combine them in a vase with other types of flowers. Daffodils produce sap from their stems that can damage other types of flowers, and soaking and rinsing will help prevent this.
Narcissus bulbs divide naturally when they are ready to be replanted. Once they are 4 or 5 years old, wait until the leaves start to turn yellow. Dig carefully in after spring or early summer. Separate and clean the bulbs thoroughly and let them dry. Plant them wherever you want in after autumn, as already explained.
Although there are some careful steps to follow, this beautiful flower is not difficult to grow in the garden or in a pot. They can add a beautiful variety of colors to your garden or windowsill!