Daffodils (Narcissus, narcissus), with their bright yellow or bright white flowers, are attractive and unique plants that are very easy to grow. With a little effort and a few simple tricks, you can have a garden full of festive daffodils, just like spring!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Plot
Step 1. Choose a place with full sun
Daffodils grow best in full sun, but they can also be planted in slightly shaded or partially shaded areas. Too much shade will prevent daffodils from blooming in the first year or two from planting.
Step 2. Check that the soil in the garden is fertile and well drained
Daffodils can grow in a variety of soil types, but the ideal soil for growing them is one that is moderately fertile and well drained. Some special types of daffodils prefer alkaline soil. So, if you are planning to grow special daffodil seedlings, consult an expert for more information.
Step 3. Plant the daffodils in the fall
Daffodils should be planted in the fall, preferably in October. However, you can plant them as early as September or as late as November. If you live in a colder climate, plan to plant it 2-4 weeks before the soil freezes.
Step 4. Purchase the daffodil bulbs once you are ready to plant
Purchase bulbs from a trusted store or nursery and plant them within a week of purchase. The bigger the tuber, the better. Do not buy cheap bulbs because they may be hollow.
- Never buy or plant bulbs that are soft because that means they are rotten or have disease in them.
- Bulbs with two shoots will produce two stems.
- Small bulbs are unlikely to flower in the first year.
Part 2 of 3: Planting Daffodil Bulbs
Step 1. Dig a hole or trench for the bulbs
You can, of course, plant each bulb individually, but most planters ditch and plant 3-8 bulbs at a time. Create a moat of any shape: a straight, long moat will create a neater garden, while a circular moat will create a more natural feel.
Step 2. Create ideal conditions for tuber growth
Spread a small handful of fertilizer in each hole or trench and space between each tuber. Whether planted individually or in trenches, daffodils should be spaced 8-15 cm apart.
Plant only one type of daffodil per hole or trench
Step 3. Plant the daffodil bulbs
Bulbs should be planted about 3-4 times deeper than their size. For small bulbs such as the type of tete a tete, bury it to a depth of 10 cm, while for larger types such as carlton and king alfred, bury it to a depth of 15 cm. Make sure the shoots are facing up.
- In areas with severe winters, make sure the tubers are buried with at least 10 cm of soil!
- If you can't tell which is the top of the tuber, just plant it sideways.
Step 4. Bury the bulbs and water immediately after planting
Keep the area moist throughout the growing season until about 3 weeks after flowering. Stop watering after the flowers bloom for 3 weeks.
Step 5. Leave the area
While daffodils form roots in the fall and grow leaves in winter in certain areas, new blooms and flowers will appear in the spring. Trust me, the plant will try hard to grow and don't disturb the area so that the daffodils can thrive.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Daffodils
Step 1. Fertilize the daffodil bulbs if necessary
If the daffodil bulbs are not growing well in the spring, apply a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer. Remember, in the first year the plant may not show optimal development, but check with an expert or consider replanting if this problem persists.
Step 2. Don't cut too many flowers
While you can certainly cut daffodils for display in your home or to sell to others, remember that cutting too many flowers will damage the growth of the bulbs for years to come.
Don't put daffodils in the same vase as other flowers. Daffodil sap will make other flowers wither
Step 3. Allow the foliage to completely die before pruning
Remove leaves only after they have turned yellow or dry. Cutting the foliage too early can interfere with the next year's growth.
Just to be safe, don't start pruning until late May or June
Step 4. Protect daffodil plants from pests and diseases
Large and small narcissus flies and bulb mites (Rhizoglyphus - a mite that attacks the bulbs) are the most common pests that attack daffodils. If you see these pests or if the bulbs feel soft to the touch, place them in almost boiling water for about 3 hours (called a “hot water treatment”).
- Yellow spots on stems or leaves may indicate the presence of stem nematodes. Destroy all infected plants, then apply a hot water treatment.
- Treat fungal diseases-such as rot and white mold-with a fungicide spray. Treat viral illnesses-such as yellow line virus-with an insecticide spray or hot water treatment.
