How to plant daffodil
How to Plant, Grow and Care for Daffodils
DAFFODILS & NARCISSUS PLANTING GUIDE
Nothing says “spring is coming” like daffodils & narcissus. Suddenly they seem to pop up all around you, when only a week ago there was just dull grass and assorted winter detritus. With their beautiful yellow petals, long cups and star-shaped blooms, they are bound to delight anyone who sees them.
As an added bonus, daffodils & narcissus are great natural repellents to squirrels and other rodents.
QUICK GUIDE
- WHEN
Plant in fall
Blooms in spring
- WHERE
Hardiness zone 3-8
Full sun or partial shade
Well-draining soil
- WATER
Once after planting
Moderately in spring
- WIDTH & DEPTH
Width: 4-6” apart
Depth: 4-8”
Arrival
When your DutchGrown daffodils arrive and you can’t plant them immediately, it’s important to store them correctly: unpack them right away and put them in a dry place with plenty of air circulation, where the temperature is between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Garden & Container Planting
Like all flower bulbs, daffodils need a cold period to develop their roots and get ready for spring. So once you feel fall’s first chill in the air, it’s time to get planting. If you live in hardiness zone 9 or higher, the soil won’t get cold enough for the root-developing process to happen, but you might consider forcing
Flower bulbs are tough cookies that are easy to grow, but one thing they hate is getting their feet wet: a bulb that is ‘bathing’ in water will rot in no time. So avoid soggy soil at all cost – this means places where you can still see puddles 5-6 hours after a rainstorm. Another thing you can do is to upgrade potentially soggy soil by adding organic material such as peat, bark or manure. When it comes to planting bulbs in containers, the mantra is exactly the same: drainage-drainage-drainage. Get a pot or box with at least some drainage holes at the bottom.
Daffodils need the sun to grow, but though they adore basking in its glory all day, they can also do very well in places with dappled shade or scattered sunlight.
Daffodils will need to be planted deep enough that they won’t be affected by temperature variations above ground, either too warm or too cold. Unfortunately containers can’t protect bulbs as well as mother earth can, so when you live in hardiness zones 3-7 it might be better to let your containers spend the winter indoors, in a cool, dark, well-aired spot that won’t get warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, like an unheated basement or garage.
The standard method for calculating the ideal depth is to dig a hole three times as deep as the bulb is high, and place the bulb at the bottom with its pointy end up. Since daffodils grow less well when they have to fight for nutrients with their fellow bulbs, it’s best to plant them 4-5” apart.
To help the bulbs settle and grow roots quickly, it’s important to water them well after planting, but after that you won’t have to water them again. Now all you have to do is wait patiently for winter to do its magic underground, and spring to surprise you with the rewards of your work.
During blooming season, you generally don’t have to water your daffodils, but you can water them when there hasn’t been any rain for 3-5 days.
After daffodils have finished blooming, don’t cut the foliage straight away: through photosynthesis the leaves will create nutrients that the bulb will be needing for its next growing season. After a few weeks the foliage will automatically yellow and die back, and then you can remove it. Now the bulb will be going dormant, and won’t need any watering until next spring.
How to plant daffodils in your garden:
- Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November.
- Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade.
- Plant the daffodil bulbs about 3-6” deep and 4-5” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up.
- Water well once and wait for spring
- After the daffodils have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove.
How to plant daffodils in pots or containers:
- Wait until it’s cold outside, with a soil temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November.
- Pick a spot in your garden that gets full sun or partial shade.
- Find a well-draining container and fill it with loose soil, making sure water won’t gather and stay at the bottom.
- Plant the daffodil bulbs about 4-6” deep and 3-4” apart, placing them in the soil with their pointy ends up. Since containers often have limited space, you can also experiment with placing the bulbs closer together, but make sure they never touch.
- Water well once and wait for spring, or, when you live in hardiness zone 3-7, water well and bring the containers indoors, letting them spend the winter in a cool spot like an unheated garage or basement.
- After the daffodils have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove.
Special Variety
If you simply can’t wait for spring or live in hardiness zone 8-10, daffodils & narcissus have a lovely variety called paperwhites that doesn’t need any cooling period at all, making it ideal for indoor blooming or warmer climates.
- For indoor growing:
Plant the paperwhite bulbs in a well-draining container, with 1” of the tip of the bulb sticking out of the soil. Place the bulbs very closely together so they won’t get floppy once they grow taller. After planting, place the pot in a brightly lit, warm spot. Make sure to turn the pot every day so that the plants will grow straight. After three to six weeks you’ll have a lovely pot of tender white flowers that smell divine. If you don’t like a strong fragrance indoors, paperwhite Inbal is just as beautiful but without the aroma.
Instead of in a pot with soil, you can also use a (glass) vase. Fill the bottom with pebbles or gravel and place the bulbs closely together on top of it, with their pointy ends up. Water until it just reaches the base of the bulbs, and place the vase in a brightly lit but not too warm spot. Make sure to keep topping up the water as it evaporates.
- For outdoor growing in zones 8-10:
Anytime in winter, find a sunny spot with well-draining soil and plant the paperwhite bulbs 3x deeper than they’re high, with their pointy ends up. For maximum impact it’s a good idea to plant them in clumps of 7-10. Water well after planting and wait for spring, when they’ll burst forth form the ground in tender, fragrant groups.
How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs - Planting & Growing Guide
Nothing announces the arrival of spring like daffodils. Their cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers splash gardens and landscapes with golden yellows and other brilliantly colored hues. These spring blooms are also a favorite in cut flower arrangements.
While their bloom times can vary, daffodils, also called narcissus, generally burst into bloom after crocuses and before tulips. They are some of the easiest of the spring-blooming bulbs to grow. Suitable for zones 3-8, daffodils can be grown throughout much of the United States. To see if daffodils will grow in your area, you can check our hardiness zone finder.
It’s easy to fit daffodils into your gardening style. Depending on the cultivar, they grow 14-24 inches tall, and look right at home in formal gardens, naturalized areas, mixed perennial beds and other locations. For the best effect, we recommend planting daffodils in groups of five or more. Some gardeners, though, plant hundreds of daffodil bulbs to create a burst of color in the springtime.
Daffodils contain a toxic liquid called lycorine in their bulb and stem, making them deer resistant. Because daffodils are deer resistant and rodent resistant, they’re a favorite of gardeners who live in areas that have frequent deer and other wildlife visitors.
How to Select DaffodilsWhen people think of daffodils, yellow-hued varieties are often the first that come to mind. But thanks to modern breeding efforts, gardeners can now choose from hundreds of different daffodil cultivars, including those with double blooms and in hues of yellow, orange, white, salmon and more. Select daffodils that fit your color scheme and preference.
Daffodils are also available in a range of bloom times. By selecting early-season, mid-season and late-season varieties, you can extend the daffodil season up to three months. Browse daffodil bulbs from KVB for one of the best and most varied selection of daffodil flowers.
When selecting daffodil bulbs for fall planting, select plump, large flower bulbs. The larger daffodil bulbs will produce larger plants.
Where to Plant Daffodil BulbsDaffodils require well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Some daffodil varieties are more suitable to partial shade or dappled sunlight, so be sure to check the light requirements on each variety. Partial shade is usually defined as 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Because daffodils bloom in the spring, before many deciduous trees leaf out, they can often be planted under trees or in woodland areas.
Well-drained soil is a must for daffodils. Bulbs don’t like wet feet. If planted in poorly drained soil, daffodil bulbs will rot.
Growing Daffodils in ContainersDaffodils can also be grown in containers, providing the containers have good drainage. Make sure the container or pot that you use has drainage holes.
Like many other fall planted bulbs, daffodils or narcissus require a cold period that allows their roots to develop and for them to get ready for spring. This is why daffodils don’t grow well in far southern parts of the United States. If growing daffodils in containers, many northern gardeners bring the containers to a more protected space, like an unheated garage, over winter so the bulbs don’t freeze.
When to Plant Daffodil BulbsDaffodil or narcissus bulbs are planted in the fall, when the weather starts to cool and before hard freezes set in. In more northern regions, daffodil bulbs can be planted in late September through October, while in more southern regions, the planting time is October through November. A good rule of thumb for fall planting bulbs is to let soil temperature be your guide on when to plant daffodils. The soil should be below 60 degrees F. but not frozen.
How to Plant Daffodil BulbsBecause daffodil bulbs need well-drained soil, the first step is to make sure your soil is well-drained. Mixing aged manure or compost into the soil can improve the drainage.
Next, either prepare a bed for planting daffodil bulbs or dig individual holes for the bulbs. If digging individual holes, people often use a bulb planter or auger. For bulb planting supplies, visit our garden fertilizer and tools page.
Make sure the planting hole is deep enough. The general rule of thumb is to plant the daffodil bulb about three times the diameter of the bulb. That means that large daffodil bulbs should be planted about 6 inches deep. Bulbs don’t like to be crowded, so place the daffodil bulbs about 4 inches apart. If planting in a container, the bulbs can be closer together, but they should not be touching.
At planting time, you can feed the daffodil bulbs with Van Bourgondien 100% Natural Bulb Food. Avoid using a strong commercial fertilizer or fresh manure at planting time.
Set the bulb so that the pointy end is up. Cover with dirt. After planting, water the bulbs well and cover with a light mulch.
In the springtime, daffodils require little care. They have average water needs, or require about an inch of rainfall weekly. If the springtime is really dry, they may require some additional watering.
When the daffodils bloom, enjoy the show. Daffodils also make wonderful cut flowers, so cut some for indoor arrangements or bouquets.
When the daffodil flowers fade, deadheading or cutting the spent flower heads, gives a neater appearance. Don’t cut the foliage, though, as it’s making food for next year’s flowers. Allow the foliage to naturally fade or die back. Some gardeners plant perennials around daffodils to hide the fading foliage.
If fertilizing or feeding your daffodil bulbs, the time to do this is right after they stop flowering. We recommend using an all-natural plant food.
Dividing Daffodil BulbsDaffodils naturalize well and will come back year after year. They produce more bulbs each year. If the daffodils become too crowded they may not perform as well. This means they are ready to divide. Bulb division should be done after the foliage has completely faded away.
To be sure that you can locate your daffodil bulbs, we recommend marking the ones you plan to dig up and divide. That way, they’re easy to find once the foliage has faded.
Dig the bulbs up and divide them. You can give the extra bulbs to a friend or replant them in another location that will benefit from the springtime cheer of daffodils.
When and how to plant daffodils?
Narcissuses are the most unpretentious and most elegant spring bulbous flowers that delight us not only with the purity and tenderness of the snow-white-golden palette of colors, but also with a surprisingly subtle heady aroma, somewhat reminiscent of the smell of southern magnolias.
In addition, they are also the most unpretentious primroses, which perfectly endure the harsh winters of the northern climate (frost resistance of many varieties reaches -43 degrees).
Domestic and foreign breeders managed to create many varieties and types of this amazingly beautiful flower. nine0003
About this, as well as about various types of narcissus, about caring for them, about the best varieties of this wonderful primrose, read our published articles:
“When to plant bulbous flowers”;
"The best varieties of daffodils for autumn planting."
In this article we will talk about how to properly plant daffodils in your flower garden.
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF NARCISSUS
Before telling about when and how to plant daffodils correctly, let us remind you of some biological features of this culture. nine0003
Daffodils belong to the Amaryllis family, which includes about 85 different species of this flower. The narcissus poetic is considered to be the progenitor of all these species.
Narcissus bulb is surrounded by numerous storage scales, which gradually die off and are replaced by new ones.
The aerial part consists of a leafless round or ribbed stem up to 75 cm high, on which, depending on the variety, one or more flowers are formed.
Flowers amaze with a variety of elegant shapes and colors. They can be snow-white with golden, yellow or bright orange single or double perianth. nine0003
Daffodils bloom in mid-April - early May (depending on the type and variety). The most common species: tubular, large-crowned, small-crowned, terry, triandrus, cyclamen-like, jonquillium, tacetaceous, poetic, wild-growing types and forms, split-crown .
According to the timing of flowering, all varieties can be divided into early, medium and late flowering. Flowering of each group of varieties lasts more than two weeks.
By planting all three groups in one flower bed, you can create a long-blooming spring flower garden of daffodils alone, which will delight you with its snow-white splendor and delicate aromas for more than a month. nine0003
By the way, each type of daffodil has its own surprisingly pleasant smell, so they are definitely used to create a fragrance garden, which is so popular in European countries today.
Narcissus bulbs grow quickly, forming numerous babies, so they must be planted at least once every five years. Otherwise, the flowers will begin to shrink and lose their varietal color. In addition, pathogens accumulate in the soil around them, which can destroy the entire flower garden. nine0003
WHEN AND HOW TO PLANTS
Planting dates . As a rule, it is customary to plant daffodil bulbs in autumn - from September 18 to October 10 (depending on the region). Remember that they need at least four weeks for adaptation and reliable rooting before the onset of stable frosts.
Soil temperature during planting should not exceed +11 degrees .
If you plant your daffodil bulbs too early, they will hatch and grow in warm autumn conditions. This will inevitably lead to their death in the winter. nine0003
But it is also impossible to be late with planting, since the plants will not have time to take root normally in a new place and will also die.
Landing area . Since daffodils are among the first to bloom in the garden, create all the conditions for them for bright lush flowering by choosing the sunniest open place under the flower bed.
The height of the flower bed should be at least 50 cm so that the bulbs do not flood with melt water and spring rains.
Soils . Daffodils love fertile, light, loose, organic-rich soil with a neutral environment (pH 7. 0). nine0003
On acidic, poor sandy and heavy clay soils, these beautiful flowers will not grow.
Neutralize acidic soil by adding 2 kg of dolomite flour per 1 square meter for digging. m flower garden.
When preparing a flower bed, add for digging (per 1 sq. m.): two buckets of rotted manure (or compost), two buckets of sand, a bucket of leafy soil, 2 tbsp. spoons of double superphosphate, 1.5 tbsp. spoons of potassium sulfate and half a bucket of wood ash.
Fit . You can plant daffodils only in dry weather. nine0009 It is strictly forbidden to water the flower bed before and after planting!
Wet soil will definitely cause the bulbs to wake up.
For planting, dig holes 12 to 18 cm apart. The depth of the holes is determined by the size of the bulb and is three times its height.
At the bottom of each hole, make a 2 cm layer of coarse sand to drain.
Plant the bulbs vertically, bottom down, lightly pressing them into the sand. After planting, fill the holes with fertile soil and mulch the entire flower bed with straw with a layer of 6 - 7 cm.
When placing various varieties and types of daffodils in the flower bed, consider how they will combine in shape and palette during spring flowering.
Also try to plant the early, middle and late varieties evenly in the flower bed so that in the spring there are no bare spots on the bed where the already flowering plants are located.
Winter shelter . Daffodils planted in autumn definitely require winter shelter. After the air temperature steadily drops to -6 ... -8 degrees, cover the entire flower bed with dry leaves from hardwood trees with a layer of 45 - 50 cm.
Lay two layers of spruce branches on top.
Such a hiding place for daffodils will be quite enough.
You don't have to be afraid of rodents in winter. They won't harm your plantings because they can't stand the smell of daffodil bulbs.
That's why experts recommend planting daffodils around the edges of tulips and other bulbous flowers that can injure mice and voles.
For the same reason, daffodils can be planted in stone circles near the trunks, which very often damage these small rodents. nine0003
Daffodils. Planting and care
Photo by the author.
Article:
1. Planting date for daffodils
2. Place for planting
3. Soil for daffodils
4. How to choose bulbs?
5. How should bulbs be stored?
6. Proper planting of daffodils
7. How to feed daffodils?
8. Care after flowering
9. Diseases and pests
10. Dividing and transplanting daffodils
The end of the summer season is still far away, but already I want to think about the future and plan plantings for spring. Bright primroses - spring-flowering bulbous plants open the long-awaited holiday of flowering in the garden after a long dullness and cold weather. This explains their enduring popularity. Graceful galanthus, lovely crocuses, charming scillas, luxurious hyacinths, magnificent tulips... There are many “stars of the first magnitude” among the bulbs, and I would like to tell you about my favorite plant - narcissus. nine0003
The chosen topic is very broad, so in the already familiar “question-answer” format I will only talk about the agricultural practices of narcissus in the open field. I hope that the colorful photos of my favorites will make up for the lack of lyrics in the text and create a special, spring mood.
When can daffodils be planted outdoors?
Daffodils, like most spring-flowering bulbs, require a cool start and a two-month stratification period to establish successfully and bloom fully. Bulbs of narcissus, which are in the dormant stage, after planting, quickly build up the root system at a soil temperature of +6 +8 o C. The formation of flower buds in daffodil bulbs occurs within 50–80 days only at a temperature of +3 +5 o C, so these frost-resistant plants are planted before winter.
When determining the timing of planting, it should be taken into account that for rooting and successful wintering, daffodils need about four to five weeks. The optimal time for planting daffodils in open ground in the middle zone is the end of the first decade of September - the beginning of October. In regions north of the Moscow region, it is better to start planting at the end of August so that the bulbs have time to take root before the soil freezes. nine0003
If for some reason the time favorable for the rooting of daffodils is missed, then this is not a reason to abandon your plans. It is quite acceptable to plant daffodils during October, and at a later date, shelter will be required, prolonging the rooting period. In this case, the best option would be to install an air-dry frame shelter that protects the plantings from excessive moisture and retains the heat of the soil. The correct shelter for daffodils, as well as for any bulbous ones, is a structure such as a low (up to 30 cm) “table” covered with a wide “tablecloth” made of dense (45–60 g per sq.m) synthetic material, such as lutrasil (spunbond). , agrosufa, etc.). Usually I use inverted plastic mesh boxes as a frame, and on top I fix a sheet of any waterproof material (iron, foam plastic, siding, linoleum). The ideal shelter should be two to three times wider than the planting area, and the covering material on the sides of the structure should not prevent excess moisture from escaping. nine0003
Stratified daffodil bulbs can theoretically be planted in early spring. I have practiced this method many times. In this case, the purchased planting material should be kept for two months in a frost-free room where the temperature does not rise above +5 o C (basement, cellar, balcony or refrigerator). You can start landing at the beginning of April. With this unconventional method, daffodils will bloom a month later, that is, in June. Of course, a September planting is preferable, but the “anomalous” simultaneous flowering of peonies, irises and daffodils makes an unforgettable impression! nine0003
Where is the best place to place daffodils?
Daffodils are light-requiring, so they are best planted in open sunny areas. It is quite possible to place daffodils under tree crowns in light partial shade or in an area where they will be provided with five to seven hours of direct light. In addition, when choosing a place for planting, it must be borne in mind that daffodils cannot tolerate excessive and prolonged moisture. Consequently, low-lying areas or places where melt water is retained are of little use for the placement of these bulbs. As for groundwater, it is considered safe if the depth of their occurrence is 40–50 centimeters. nine0003
Narcissuses are unpretentious and hardy, with competent agricultural technology they very rarely suffer from diseases. However, when choosing a planting site, you should avoid areas where spring-flowering bulbs, lilies, phloxes or asters have previously grown. Of course, it is undesirable to plant daffodils after (or next to) onions and garlic. In addition, I do not recommend placing daffodils in the immediate vicinity of compost heaps or “warm” beds where soil pests or mice can winter.
The April greenery of daffodils pleases with its brightness, the May flowering fills the garden with sunny colors, but, unfortunately, by June, the plantings begin to lose their attractiveness, and this must be taken into account when placing. The natural summer yellowing and dying off of the foliage can either be decorated with neighboring plants, or any accents that distract attention can be placed nearby. It is very popular to combine plantings of daffodils with peonies, which are a good addition during May flowering, and serve as a masking object in summer. On my site, most of the daffodils are “scattered” in curtains among coniferous and low ornamental shrubs. With this placement, the composition is harmonious, and a short period of unattractiveness goes unnoticed. nine0003
What kind of soil is suitable for planting daffodils?
Narcissus is a picky plant and not particularly demanding on soil conditions. The main thing is that the soil is breathable, moisture-intensive and fertile. Waterlogged or saline soils, of course, are unsuitable for planting daffodils. These bulbs develop well on slightly acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline soils (4.9–6.5 pH). Poor or depleted soils need to be improved a year before planting by adding organic matter, such as compost, humus or biohumus (but not manure). An option for restoring soil fertility can also be the sowing of green manure (rye, oats) with subsequent incorporation into the soil in October. If the soil is sandy, it is recommended to add clay before planting daffodils, and on heavy soils - sand or any other loosening materials (expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite, peat). On acidic soils, it is necessary to add lime or dolomite flour a year before planting in September, observing the norms indicated on the package. nine0003
I have almost chernozem on my plot, but without watering the soil dries out quite quickly, and with prolonged moisture it becomes compacted. Therefore, to improve the structure of the soil and increase its moisture capacity, I use sand and neutralized peat (about 6–8 liters per sq.m.). In general, I start preparing the site for planting daffodils with deep digging in the middle of summer, which I combine with the incorporation of loosening materials and superphosphate (2 tablespoons per sq.m). I usually apply organic fertilizers and ash directly at planting, and there has not yet been a need to use deoxidizing materials, since the soil on the site is slightly alkaline. nine0003
When and where is the best time to buy daffodil bulbs, and what to look for when choosing?
Spring-flowering bulbs are available for sale in late August - early September, and this is the best time to purchase them. The fact is that bulbs dug up three months after flowering are considered the best. And since 99% of the bulbous planting material offered in Russia was produced in Holland, where spring comes a month earlier, then from August you can buy the “correct” bulbs of good quality. By the way, in order to dispel fears about the viability of imported planting material once and for all, let me remind you of the following. Narcissus is a perennial, highly winter-hardy plant and, when properly planted, endures our winters without problems. The place of production does not matter, the plants of the zoned varieties are adapted to the conditions of the middle zone of Russia. In addition, when buying Dutch bulbs, the risk of regrading is very low, and the bulbs themselves are of excellent quality. It is a pity that the assortment of network horticultural hypermarkets is distinguished by unfortunate constancy, rarely updated, even the photographs on the packages have not changed in twenty years. Of course, I am interested in new items, so I carefully follow the offers of online stores with a time-tested reputation. nine0003
When choosing planting material for daffodils, carefully inspect the bulbs and make sure that their actual number corresponds to that stated on the package. Bulbs of proper quality should not have major mechanical damage, mold foci or dark brown spots. The integumentary scales should be dry, uniform in color, and the bulbs themselves should be dense. You should inspect and gently feel the bottom of the bulbs, because it is in this place that rot most often appears. When choosing, many flower growers prefer large bulbs, believing that large bulbs will give out a large flower. I try to choose a package where there are the most daffodils with children, which can be separated before planting and increase the number of copies. Also, when buying, do not forget that the size of the bulbs, as a rule, depends on the type and even variety of daffodils. For example, in undersized cyclamen or triandrus daffodils, the bulbs are smaller than in large-flowered terry or large-crowned, although there are exceptions. nine0003
How to store daffodil bulbs before planting?
After purchase, I try to immediately treat any bulbs in a fungicide solution containing thiram (Healthy Earth or Maxim). I first remove dry roots and exfoliated integumentary scales, and if possible, I separate the nests of the bulbs and carefully break off the babies. The soaking procedure in a working solution prepared according to the instructions takes only half an hour, subsequent drying in a sieve or on a newspaper takes about a day. These small efforts will pay off with confidence in the safety of the planting material, in addition, no more treatments will be required before planting. nine0003
Store prepared bulbs in boxes or large paper bags in a cool, dry place (+15 +17 o C) before planting. Daffodils should not be stored in plastic bags as they can become moldy or rot. If I don't want to break the original packaging, I process the bulbs without removing them from the perforated bag and store them in a way that allows the bulbs to ventilate.
There are recommendations one week before planting to place narcissus bulbs in a place with a constant temperature of +6 +8 o C, but after trying this advice a couple of times in practice, I did not see any special results. But if the bulbs have dried up after long-term storage, then I soak them in any growth stimulant (“Zircon”, “Epin”, “Kornevin”) for three to five hours immediately before planting.
How deep and how best to plant daffodils: in holes or trenches?
The planting depth is three times the height of the bulb - this is the general rule for planting most bulbous plants. However, on light soils, it is desirable to increase the depth by another three to five centimeters. In addition, a sand “cushion” about three centimeters thick is made in the landing pit or hole, and this must also be taken into account when preparing the seat. nine0003
There are two ways of planting bulbs and I conventionally call them “group” and “single”. With a “single” landing on a prepared site, a separate hole is made for each onion, where river sand is first poured. In this case, the traditional “planter” for bulbs will not fit in size, it will be a bit short, so it is better to use a long and narrow scoop. In a similar way, I plant bulbs in relatively inaccessible places with a limited area, for example, between undersized spireas or dwarf conifers. nine0003
When planting a large number of bulbs in a spacious area, it is more convenient to use the “group” method of planting bulbs. The essence of the method is to organize a landing trench or pit of arbitrary shape, from which the soil is removed, then a sandy “cushion” is poured, and only then the bulbs are laid out. This is the method I usually practice, because I like to plant daffodils in large groups (clumps) of 15-30 copies of one variety. With this method, it is more convenient to maintain not only the optimal planting depth, but also the distance between the bulbs. In the allotted area, daffodils have been living with me for seven years without a transplant, so I try to plant the bulbs more spaciously and keep a distance of 15 cm for small ones to 25 cm for large bulbs. nine0003
Daffodils do not require annual digging and replanting, so I use ready-made plastic baskets for bulbs only when it is necessary to separate different varieties in one pit or trench. When planting in baskets, it is very important not to forget to add a layer of river sand to the bottom, then fertile soil, and lay out the bulbs themselves only after watering in order to avoid voids and organize reliable drainage.
Another important point is the installation of garden beacons or sticks that prevent unwanted damage to the planted bulbs during autumn digging. nine0003
After placing the bulbs in the hole, I dust them with wood ash and carefully cover them with earth so that they are not visible, and then water them liberally with a hose. Next, I fill the planting hole or trench with excavated soil, and then mulch with compost (or leaf humus) with a layer of 3–5 centimeters. It seems to me right not to mix fertilizers with prepared soil, but to scatter them on top, therefore, on poor soil, before mulching, I recommend evenly scattering specialized mineral fertilizer for bulbs. If it is possible to visit the garden in early spring, then fertilization can be postponed until the active vegetation of daffodils begins. nine0003
How and when to feed daffodils?
Narcissuses, in my opinion, are less demanding on regular fertilization than luxurious “capricious” tulips or “gluttonous” hyacinths. However, like any spring-flowering bulb, daffodils need additional nutrition to fully recover from the flowering period. And a few years after planting, when the nests of bulbs grow, daffodils begin to experience a shortage of basic nutrients, then fertilizers cannot be dispensed with. nine0003
For spring-flowering bulbs, there is a standard feeding scheme during the growing season using mineral fertilizers. Admirers of organic farming practice an alternative option using natural mineral and organic fertilizers. It seems to me more rational to save wood ash or Khotynets tripoli for vegetable and fruit crops, so for daffodils I use only “mineral water”. The exceptions are natural mulching materials (lowland peat, wood chips, coconut fiber, compost, leaf humus), the use of which is not only effective, but also significantly reduces the labor and time costs for caring for bulbs. nine0003
In the event that daffodils are planted in specially prepared and fertilized soil in autumn, then next year you can not worry about their additional nutrition. I start feeding bulbs from the second year of planting, observing the timing of fertilization and combining with other necessary agrotechnical measures. Work begins in April, when young leaves are just appearing, and the ground has dried up after the snow has melted. Carefully, so as not to damage the plants, I loosen the soil around the daffodils, spill it well from the hose, and then apply nitrogen fertilizer carbamide (urea) and mulch with a layer of 3–4 cm. Consumption rate is a matchbox (13–15 g) per 10 liters of water per square meter of landing area. If it rains, then urea can simply be evenly scattered in the root zone of daffodils. nine0003
When flower stalks form on daffodils, it's time to apply a complex mineral fertilizer at the rate of 30 g per square meter. You can embed granular specialized (for bulbous) or universal spring fertilizer into the soil. It is easier for me to use water-soluble types of fertilizers, for example, nitroammophoska, the application of which saves working time. Just in case, let me remind you that solutions of any mineral fertilizers must be used up within half an hour after preparation, and it is impossible to feed on dry soil! nine0003
Under favorable weather conditions, a bright festival of flowering daffodils of different varieties can last up to a month. Removing faded flower stalks and applying phosphorus-potassium fertilizer twice will help the bulbs stock up on nutrients and prepare for next spring. Immediately after flowering, I spill it over the leaves with a solution of potassium monophosphate (1 tbsp. L per 10 l) with an interval of 10–14 days. I note that if fertilizer with calcium and magnesium was previously applied, then potassium monophosphate is not recommended. nine0003
The quality of flowering and development of daffodils directly depends on soil moisture. From the moment the first sprouts appear until the very beginning of the natural yellowing of the foliage, it is important to keep the soil moderately moist. Of course, mulching plantings eliminates unnecessary trouble, but in dry weather additional watering is required. The root system of daffodils is compact and therefore it is enough to pour a couple of buckets of water per square meter.
Do I need to care for daffodils after flowering? nine0141
When preparing daffodils for a dormant period, nutrients are drained from the roots and leaves into the bulb, so it is highly undesirable to remove withered leaves before they are completely dry. You can either ignore the untidy appearance of plantings with drying leaves, or transform a temporary flaw into an unusual addition to the composition. For example, my neighbor and I make peculiar “hairstyles” from daffodil leaves: she weaves braids, and I do “samurai tails”. Tying the leaves into a bunch is a short but useful job that greatly facilitates weeding. In addition, in the case of a long rainy period, the land in the area with daffodils dries out faster. Daffodils need relatively “dry” conditions during their dormant period, so waterlogging is best avoided. nine0003
When the daffodil leaves are completely dry, they can be removed by first marking the planting boundaries with sticks or garden beacons. I am calm about the sight of empty land where the curtains of “sleeping” spring-flowering bulbs are located. Having a bad experience with trying to decorate an unsightly place with branches of a horizontal juniper, I was convinced of the following. It is better to mulch the plantings in a thin layer and keep them free of weeds and anything else than to provoke bulb rot. nine0003
Autumn care for daffodils is reduced to the application of superphosphate (30 g per sq.m.) in September, watering with water (if necessary) and mulching of areas with daffodils in early November. The mulching layer will serve as protection against drying out during snowless frosts, and will also turn into organic fertilizer by the beginning of spring. Only daffodils planted after October 20 and varieties from the tacet group need additional shelter for the winter.
Can daffodils be affected by diseases and pests? nine0141
In theory, any bulbs under adverse weather conditions or incorrect agricultural practices can be susceptible to rot, fungal diseases or viral diseases. In practice, I have never encountered manifestations of any disease in narcissists. To prevent root rot in May, I plant a useful antagonist fungus in the soil, that is, I use one of the biofungicides (“Gliocladin”, “Trichocin”, “Trichoflor”). A couple of times at the end of May and in June I spray daffodils with a solution of any of the copper-containing preparations, follow the rules of crop rotation and agricultural technology, disinfect planting material and garden tools - and my daffodils do not get sick. nine0003
Narcissus is considered a poisonous plant and it is believed that mice do not touch daffodil bulbs. They may not eat, but they cause significant damage to perennial bulbous plants with their nests and burrows. Therefore, in the matter of placement, I recommended avoiding the neighborhood of daffodils with the supposed places of “winter apartments” of mice. As for insect pests, I have not yet had to take any measures to combat them. While I manage with prevention: I periodically add mustard cake (hot pepper, ground eggshell, ash) around the plantings and use only healthy planting material. Plus, coniferous plants located nearby provide significant assistance, the essential oils of which repel insect pests. nine0003
How and when to transplant daffodils?
Even if you take care of and feed daffodils according to all the rules, after six years it becomes necessary to transplant them to a new place. Bulb nests grow, the number of babies increases, there is a nutritional deficiency - all this affects flowering.
The photo shows how weak the flowering of daffodils, planted more than ten years ago, becomes. You can start digging up daffodil bulbs after the foliage has dried, that is, at the end of June. Planting daffodils in special plastic baskets greatly simplifies the work, because you just need to dig, remove the containers and free the bulbs from the ground. nine0003
When digging, one must manage not only not to damage the bulbs with a tool, but also try not to break the nests of daffodils. I usually remove the top layer of earth first, and then carefully remove the bulbs. With this work, I do not remove the preserved lower part of the leaves and roots, but only clean it from the ground, and without fanaticism, so as not to scratch it. Next, I put the bulbs according to varieties in mesh boxes and send them to a dry, dark place with good ventilation for a week.
To get a lot of quality planting material, you need to properly divide the nests of daffodil bulbs. Only that narcissus baby will take root well, which has a common bottom with the mother bulb. When dividing, it is better to just gently break off the babies, rejecting the damaged ones and sorting out too small young bulbs.
Cleaned from the remnants of the earth and exfoliated scales, I soak the prepared planting material in a thiram-based fungicide, and then dry it in the shade in a draft. After that, I once again reject bulbs of dubious quality and then dust the finished material with a mixture of ash and crushed chalk (1: 1). Further storage takes place in a dark, cool and, most importantly, dry place at a temperature of +16 +18 o C.
Every passionate gardener knows that the pursuit of perfection is endless and is not limited by time or conditions. But when creating a “dream garden”, we sometimes choose a path that is too complicated and time consuming. But you can get closer to the cherished ideal using reliable and easy-to-cultivate plants.