Daffodils, scientifically named Narcissus, are a genus of the Amaryllidaceae that has its origin in Europe and the Mediterranean basin, although some varieties are indigenous to Asia. These are plants that produce large and very beautiful white or yellow flowers , very characteristic and valued for their showiness.
They are perennial species, which also have a high resistance and are affordable for beginner gardening enthusiasts due to the little care they need. If you want to know more about when and how to plant daffodils , keep reading this article.
When to plant daffodils
The best time to plant daffodil bulbs is in the fall , especially around October. In this way, the plant will flower between the end of winter and spring. However, planting time can be delayed or advanced up to a full month, depending on the needs and the weather.
In any case, if the climate where it is cold and there will be frosts, you need your bulbs to have been planted at least two weeks by the time they arrive, preferably four.
How to plant potted daffodils – step by step
If you want to plant potted daffodils , follow this simple step-by-step with tips:
- Get a daffodil bulb or bulbs . When choosing the bulb, opt for the largest ones that you find available, and it is especially important that these are not soft to the touch. A soft bulb will most likely be diseased or rotten. In addition, it is also important not to acquire the bulbs until you are going to plant them.
- Prepare a substrate that is light and provides good drainage. A mixture of coconut fiber , worm castings and peat in equal parts, with an addition of perlite, will be a great option.
- Prepare the container by disinfecting it, especially if it is not new, and filling it with substrate. The pot should be about 30 cm deep or more, since the roots of these plants can develop vertically. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
- Fill the container half full with the mixture and plant the bulbs.
- You can plant them separately in different pots, but it is common to place several bulbs in each of them. Distribute them around the perimeter of the container, close but not touching, and make sure that the tips are facing upwards. Bury the larger bulbs deeper, and the smaller ones less deeply but respecting the position of the others.
- Cover the bulbs with soil completely, leaving several cm above, and water.
- Take the pot somewhere lighted where it won’t get direct sunlight once the leaves appear above the substrate.
- Water again every time the substrate dries out.
How to plant daffodils in soil – step by step
Planting the bulbs outdoors is not very different from doing it in a pot, although, for obvious reasons, the choice of location is much more important. Follow these steps to plant daffodils in the ground or outdoors :
- Choose an illuminated spot to place the daffodils, which receives many hours of sun a day but is protected from the hours of greatest incidence, if you live in an area with very strong sun. Also, look at the drainage that the soil offers. If when watering or raining the water seeps quickly, it is a good location. If, on the other hand, it floods, you should not plant your bulbs there because they will rot.
- In the same way as in the pot, plant the daffodil bulbs preferably in groups, with the larger ones deeper than the smaller ones, and ensuring that the tips of all of them are at least a few centimeters below the surface.
- After sowing, water abundantly and do it again every time the soil is dry. You will see that the bulbs sprout and the daffodils grow as the days go by.
Basic care of daffodils
These are the basic guidelines to follow when caring for daffodils :
- Light: the daffodil will always appreciate being in a location that is as bright as possible, although away from direct sunlight. Despite this, it also has the ability to flourish in semi-shady conditions.
- Climate: the ideal temperature for daffodils to bloom is between 16ºC and 20ºC during the day. When planting the bulbs, do it at least two weeks before the first frosts.
- Irrigation: in the warm months, it is important to keep the soil with a certain degree of humidity at all times, although you should never get waterlogged.
- Earth: precisely because the daffodil requires that the soil is usually humid, it requires that the soil or substrate in which it is planted must offer great drainage. The bulbs do not tolerate waterlogging, and excess moisture could lead to rot.
- Fertilizer: for the flowers to develop as well as possible, it is convenient to apply high potassium fertilizer during the hot months.
- Pruning: keep in mind that you can cut the flower from the plant, but this will weaken the bulb considerably, so try not to abuse. When you go to practice pruning after flowering, wait for the aerial part of the plant to dry completely. It is best to wait until May or June.
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