.
Site map
What's New
Tomatoes 2008
Composting.ppt
Iris with music.ppt
Flowers and
bulbs in garden.ppt
Daffodil Culture
by Debbie Vigil and Suzy Andrego
To begin__ what is the difference between a daffodil, a
narcissus, and a jonquil? Narcissus is the Latin, botanical name and
daffodil is the common English name and the two terms are interchangeable.
Only one species of daffodil is correctly called jonquilla, crosses of
this species with other daffodils are called jonquil hybrids.
Bulbs should be purchased from a reputable dealer. A good bulb has
a flower in it when it is sold for autumn planting. Giveaway bulbs, unless
from a trusted source, are of dubious value. Bargain bulbs from other than
reputable dealers are not bargains. Never buy or plant a soft daffodil
bulb, because a soft bulb usually means basal rot or other disease.
Daffodils will grow in light shade, but do better in full sun. Deep
shade keeps them from blooming after the first year. They will grow well
in most soils, but need plenty of moisture from the time they are planted
until they finish growing in the late spring. A good soaking one a week is
not too much. However, the soil must drain well. During the
soil preparation, a complete fertilizer, low in nitrogen, should be worked
in (about ¼ cup per square foot). Be sure the fertilizer does not come in
direct contact with the bulbs.
Daffodils should be planted in September when the soil has cooled,
if possible, or at any time until the ground freezes. Most root grow this
done in the fall and early winter. Bulbs of normal size should be planted
about six inches deep. Smaller bulbs should be placed at lesser
depths. A shallow planting will require more frequent lifting and
division, as the bulbs tend to split up more quickly
Leaves should never be cut from choice varieties since they are
essential in rebuilding the bulb after flowering. If the spring is dry,
the flowerbeds should be watered (an inch a week) to keep the foliage
green as long as possible. Cutting off or braiding sprawling
green foliage severely limits the short time that the bulb has to make its
growth and form a flower, and should not be done. When the foliage has
dried up, remove it, and cultivate the ground, so that insects do not have
a path down the hole left by the foliage directly to the bulbs.
Daffodil bulbs divide, and one bulb will in time become a clump of
bulbs. They should be dug and divided when the flowers become
smaller and fewer (about every 4 to 5 years.) Dig as the foliage
turns yellow, store until fall in a cool, airy place. Do not forcefully
break the side shoots off the bulbs
.
Mulch gives bulbs a longer, better growing season. It also keeps
the flowers clean and helps to make the ground cooler in summer. Shredded
bark, straw, ground corn cobs, or sawdust are all good.
Newly purchased bulbs already have the flower bud developed when
you receive them and should provide a bloom the following spring. If you
have receive a bulb that is not true to name (if the catalog says it’s
white, and your flower is yellow and red you’ll know! Or if it fails to
grow, a polite letter to the dealer will usually bring a replacement bulb
or refund. But remember that some daffodils take several days to acquire
the “catalog color” (i.e. whites that open pale yellow or pinks that open
yellow-orange), colors will be at their best in cool, moist season). It is
not uncommon for bulbs to fail to flower, or give small blooms, the second
year in your garden. They are busy adapting to your soil, your climate,
and your care. By the third season they should repay you with a generous
supply of lovely blooms.
02/01/2009