The Narcissus is a whole genus of plants of the Amaryllidaceae family that come from Europe and the Mediterranean area, as well as Asia. These are plants highly valued by gardening enthusiasts thanks to their large flowers, as beautiful as they are fragrant. In fact, these plants are named after Narkissos, the beautiful demigod from Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a lake and drowned when he launched himself, the place where one of these flowers grew.
If you want to learn how to grow large and healthy daffodils, keep reading us in this article where you will find a gardening guide on how to care for daffodils
Daffodils: characteristics
Most daffodils are bulbous plants that bloom between late winter and spring, although some of them can bloom in fall as well. Its flowers are very showy and, in addition, there are a large number of species, varieties and hybrids. Some daffodils can reach heights of up to 50 cm , although most are somewhat smaller. The most common daffodils used in florists are the trunk and the large cup, which give a single flower, in the latter case of large dimensions, and the small cup, with double flowers and jonquil, which produce several smaller flowers. size.
In all cases, its flowers have a characteristic trumpet shape , very easy to recognize, and tend to be yellow flowers , although they can also be found in shades of orange and white . These flowers last about 20 days when kept in proper conditions, although the heat is not good for them.
How to care for daffodils – a basic care guide
Daffodils are quite rustic plants with an enormous capacity for adaptation, thanks to which they are so widespread. However, if you want yours to look healthy and beautiful, there are some care you should take care of. These are the things you should keep in mind about the basic care of daffodils to keep them in an optimal state:
- Climate: they prefer somewhat cold climates and do not hold up well in hot areas.
- Location: semi-shade.
- Substrate: light so that it drains well and something enriched with organic matter or compost.
- Irrigation: moderate but every little time to maintain a good level of humidity, without getting to flood.
- Pruning: you just have to remove the dried flowers and leaves. Remember to leave the bulbs buried to grow in the next season.
Climate and location
Daffodils prefer slightly cold climates , and excess heat is one of their worst enemies. If you live in an area with very high temperatures for much of the year, you probably shouldn’t try to grow daffodils.
With this in mind, it is easy to see that we should place our daffodils in cool places, regardless of whether we plant them outdoors or in a pot indoors. They need some humidity in the area, and they appreciate semi-shady locations , with a large amount of ambient light but without receiving direct sunlight.
In fact, if we have our daffodils in an indoor pot, the usual thing is to move them according to the season: when the plant is in flowering season we will have the pot inside the house, while when it is finished, it is taken out again so that continue your natural cycle.
When daffodils are in bloom, it is important to keep them away from heat sources, such as heaters and radiators, which will cause the plant to shed its leaves much more quickly. Outdoors, on the other hand, you have to protect the plant from frost, since although it welcomes cold climates, temperatures below zero can freeze the flowers and kill it.
Soil or substrate
These flowers are not demanding with the type of soil or substrate in which they are going to be, and can adapt to practically anyone. Therefore, a general substrate that has been enriched with organic compost will be able to support the daffodil adequately. It is advisable to ensure that the mixture offers a good level of drainage since, as in all bulbs, it is very necessary to avoid waterlogging the soil.
When in doubt, we recommend using a universal substrate mixture with one part coconut fiber , one part peat and one part worm castings . These proportions guarantee a light and airy substrate, very rich in nutrients and with optimal drainage. In addition, vermicompost provides the soil with a large number of beneficial microorganisms.
Watering the daffodils
The narcissus is a plant typical of humid climates, so it requires very constant watering. To provide the plant with an adequate level of humidity without having to resort to too abundant waterings that could puddle the soil, it is best to give the daffodil moderate waterings but every little time , up to 2 and 3 times a day.
The idea is to provide the earth with some water to keep it moist, in a reduced quantity. By doing it this way, we replicate the ideal humid climate for the plant without ever drowning it.
Daffodil pruning
The daffodil will appreciate the pruning of its withered flowers , which must be carried out when they change color and it is clear that they have long dried out. By pruning them, we prevent the plant from losing nutrients in a dead part, or from being affected by necrosis, thus facilitating its growth again.
