Daffodils

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Daffodils

A closer look at a daffodil.

Annette McCarthy

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Sunny, yellow daffodils are a wonderful sign that spring has arrived! Plant the bulbs in the fall and they will bloom in late winter or early spring. Daffodils are hardy and easy perennials to grow in most areas in North America, except Southern Florida.

Their attractive flowers usually bear showy yellow or white flowers with six petals and a trumpet-shape central corona. Leafless stems bear between 1 and 20 flowers; sometimes the flowers need to be staked so that they don’t weigh down the stems.

Daffodils are suitable for planting between shrubs or in a border, or for forcing blooms indoors. They also look wonderful in a woodland garden and in large groves. You’ll find that many gardeners plant the bulbs not just by the dozens but by the hundreds! Their flowers are excellent for cutting.

Planting

Select a site that offers full sun or part shade. Most daffodils tolerate a range of soils but grow best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is moist during the growing season. Many of the popular species prefer neutral to acidic soils, but some prefer slightly alkaline soils, so consult your nursery.

Select high-quality daffodil bulbs that have not dried out. The larger the bulb, the better.
Plant bulbs in the fall—about 2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes. Get tips on dates for planting fall bulbs.
Plant bulbs 1-½ to 5 times their own depth. Where winters are severe, make sure there is at least 3 inches of soil covering the bulb.
Daffodils will tolerate some crowding but prefer to be spaced 3 to 6 inches apart.
It may help to sprinkle a little bulb fertilizer in the hole during planting.
Resist the temptation to uncover spring-flowering plants such as daffodils and tulips. You can loosen mulch, but the shoots will still benefit from protection against cold, drying winds.
Get more tips for growing bulbs.

Care

Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potash fertilizer after flowering if bulbs are not performing.
Water late-flowering daffodils in dry spring weather (flowers may abort in dry conditions).
Deadhead plants as flowers fade (for neater garden appearance) and allow leaves to remain for at least 6 weeks.
Lift and divide the clumps when flowering becomes sparse or the clumps congested.
After they bloom in the spring, allow the plants to grow until they die off. They need time after blooming to store energy in the bulbs for next year.
To remove the dead plants, either snip them off at the base, or twist the leaves while pulling lightly.
Once daffodils and tulips have gone by, add bonemeal to the soil for next year’s blooms.

Pests/Diseases

Daffodils are both deer-resistant and rodent-proof, as these animals do not like the taste of the bulbs in the Narcissus family.

Daffodils are also poisonous to pets, so make sure your animals don’t munch on them.

The most common problems include large narcissus bulb fly, bulb scale mite, narcissus nematode, slugs, narcissus basal rot and other fungal infections, and viruses.

Recommended Varieties

‘Golden Ducat’ is a double daffodil with pure yellow petals. It blooms in mid- to late season and grows 12 to 16 inches tall.
‘Petit Four’ is a good choice for a partially shady site. The flower has white petals with a double cup of apricot pink and grows 16 inches tall.
‘Rip van Winkle’ is miniature double daffodil that grows 6 to 8 inches tall and looks great in a grove with many others of its kind.

Wit & Wisdom

Chillier, but daffodillier.
–The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1991

Daffodowndilly
She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.”
–A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young

Tip: When cut, daffodils should be kept alone in a vase, as their stems secrete a fluid that promotes the wilting of other flowers. If you must combine them, soak them by themselves for as long as possible, then rinse them and add them to the arrangement last.
Note that contact with the sap of daffodils may irritate skin or aggravate skin allergies.
Daffodils are a March birth flower.
Daffodils symbolize regard for someone. Find more flower meanings.

Daffodils,
That come before the swallow dares, and take
The winds of March with beauty.
–William Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
–William Wordsworth, I Wander’d Lonely as a Cloud

Reader Comments

Daffodils in a field

I have two plastic grocery bags full of daffodil bulbs that a friend gave to me. I want to plant them all over a 3 acre lot. What would be the best/easiest way to do this?

Planting Daffodils

Each bulb should have at least 2 to 3 inches of soil covering it when it’s planted, so we wouldn’t recommend casting them into an area like you would smaller seeds, unfortunately, as they will be eaten, will not survive the winter, or simply won’t grow. A tool like a pole hole digger could make digging easier and faster. Plant the bulbs just a few weeks before the ground freezes this fall.

Dafadil

When the flower dies you get a lump where the flower was is that a bulb you can replant to make another flower

Daffodils

That is where seeds may form. It's best to remove this asap for best bulb development next year. The bulbs (underground) may form bullets that can be separated from the parent plant and replanted.

A daffy bunch

Hi there. I have 3 large bunches of daffs that I inherited on my property. They grow densely and get to nearly 4' tall with tons of blooms. The only work they require of me is yelling at the hubby to "watch em" with the mower.These beauties back onto a barn wall and I'd love to fill in the gaps between them to create a full row. How would I go about splitting/replanting? It's been two years and I haven't had the courage to dig them up. Am I better off just planting more bulbs rather than splitting? Thanks a bunch

Dividing Daffodils

Hi Leslie,
If your daffodils are as densely packed as you say they are, they might actually benefit from a little more leg room! Wait until after they finish blooming and their leaves have mostly turned yellow and brown to dig them up. Bulbs are generally quite easy to divide: just carefully peel them apart from one another—leaving any remaining leaves intact and attached—and space them out as you like (4–5 inches apart, minimum). Plant them at the same depth that they are now and they should be happy.

Storing Bulbs till fall

I got some potted daffodils and I want to take them out of the pot and store till fall and replant is there a good way to do this Thanks

potted dafs

I was recently given several potted daffodils...my question is can i plant these right in the garden ? ...they are still blooming, but most of the blooms have now died off...these were daffodils in a store but unsellable with the blooms dying....thank you in advance for the reply...

daffodils

What do I do with them after blooming? Do I have to take the bulbs up or leave them in the planter till next blooming season?
Is it the same for hyacinth bulbs?

Planting and Storing Daffodils

After a daffodil finishes blooming, it’s still using its foliage to gather and store energy for next year’s bloom, so it would be best to wait to replant the bulbs until the daffodils’ foliage completely dies back. At that point, the bulbs can be removed from the pots and stored in a cool, dark, and dry place until fall, when they should be planted in the ground.

Do daffodils spread??

I started a front yard garden three years ago with perennials and the blooms are awesome. I've noticed that some of the daffodils have spread throughout the garden instead of just growing in the area they were planted in. Is this normal??

Thanks In Advance

Daffodils Spreading

Daffodils usually spread by producing new bulbs (bulbets) underground, which themselves grow into full plants and repeat the process. Daffodils are also capable of producing seeds after flowering, and these seeds may be spread by the wind. However, daffodil seeds take quite a while (5 years or more) to grow into full plants. If yours have somehow made it to undesirable places, feel free to dig them up and put them back in their own territory. Giving them a stern talking to may also help quell their wanderlust.

flowers not opening

Quite a number of my daffs didn't open this year. Some remained hooded and some even though the hood came off they didn't open. What can I do?

Daffodils not blooming

Daffodils aren’t usually troublesome, but if you remove their leaves before they died back last season, this would be a common reason for lack of bloom. Is it possible tha tthe leaves got removed as this is how daffodils store energy for the following year? Daffodils also need good drainage and lots of sun. Every few years, it also helps to “thin” or divide them in the fall. You must want to consider a soil test and see if they need a fertilizer boost.

Daffodils

I have heard that daff bulbs can be placed in the refrigerator for a period of time to simulate winter and then planted. True?

Chilling daffodils

Daffodils do not have to be refrigerated. Tulips should be chilled 8 to 10 weeks before planting.

Daffodil's

Last year I cut my daffodil plants down too soon.This year I have no flowers. Is there anything I can do to make them bloom ever again?? Please help.

You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore

Hi, Jeanne: The best thing to do is give them some time. You don’t say whether you have any leaves at all. Daffs need to keep their leaves as long as possible in order to collect energy for the following year’s growth, so without that happening last year, the bulbs may just be too tuckered out right now. You might sprinkle a teaspoon of bonemeal and the same amount of bulb fertilizer in the vicinity of each bulb just to give a little added nourishment. Do this again in the early fall after summer rainfall has washed the nutrients down into the soil, then keep your fingers crossed that they will be bringing you flowers next year. Thanks for asking!

why do my bulbs change their heads this year

hi we have noticed this year that the bulbs that have been planted for many years have different heads on them this year

Daffodils that have bloomed

I know nothing about gardening. We just moved into a home that has a few patches of lovely daffodils. They have mostly bloomed (we live in NC). Now, the tips of the stems have a small bulb like growth. What does that mean? Will they bloom again? Should I cut those stems back?

seedpods on daffodils

These are seedpods. These pods need to turn brown and dry up. When the pod is totally dry you can brake it open. You will find small black seeds in the pod. These can be planted in pots indoors, if you like. It may take weeks for the seeds to germinate. When the seedlings get bigger move them to bigger containers. It may take 3 to 5 years before these daffodils will bloom. For your daffs in the ground, wait until the leaves have turned brown/yellow and then cut to the ground.

daffidils not blooming

I had a good bloom this year but I am now dead heading them and I am finding quick a few buds that didn't bloom. Any info on this ?

Transplanting Daffodil bulbs

Our church, Wye Mountain United Methodist Church, has 7 acres of Daffodils that need transplanting. Most have been in the ground since 1948. Can you suggest an easy way for our older congregation to transplant. We are on Facebook @ Daffodils on Wye Mountain. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

fields of daffodils

Hi, David, We caught a glimpse of your church and daff fields on Google. That’s a lot of flowers! The method for lifting is the same for all ages; sorry, there is not easy way that we know of.

We would recommend contacting your local newspaper and radio stations and using them as channels to communicate with folks in your area about enlisting some volunteers outside of your congregation but in your community—get the local media to write it up and/or talk about it on air. Perhaps you could offer to let people take home a few fistfuls of bulbs for helping out? Who wouldn’t appreciate that! Remember that any that get replanted will, in a few years, reproduce even more bulbs anyway. Keep in mind that the best time to lift (dig up) the daffs is after the flower has wilted/gone and the foliage has began to die back (wilt). Also consider that daffs that have been in the ground will come up in clumps that should be set aside to dry and then separated for replanting. (Oh, replanting: that’s a project about as big as lifting this many bulbs!) We’d help if we were closer!

Separating bulbs

My girlfriend and I just bought a house near Indianapolis. A few weeks ago daffodils popped up and started flowering. We have had frost since then and we are about a month away from the last frost. Are they going to be alright? There are thick patches and the bulbs need to be separated and evened out. Can I do this now, or when is the best time to do it? Lastly, I would like to fill in the empty spots with more flowers. What flowers grow well with daffodils in my area?

Divide and Conquer

Hi, Jdiddla: Daffodils are one of the most robust plants out there, so they will be fine. You could divide your daffs now, but usually it’s best to wait until after they are spent. To fill in, there are any number of flowers that would work well in your Zone 5b/6a, but look for ones whose blooms will arrive just as the daffs are fading … for example, daylilies and poppies. Thanks for asking and good luck!

daffodils color fading

My daffodils came back pale. How can I restore their original gorgeous yellow color

daffodil flower colors

Sometimes flower colors fade in subsequent reasons because only certain varieties of a mix survive. Usually, this means it’s time to plant new bulbs.

Daffidil's and snow

Daffidil's and snow. It's getting down in the teens tonight and we have a chance of snow. Can the Daffidil's flowers make it?

daffodils

Fortunately, most varieties of daffodils are quite hardy and will tolerate a certain amount of frost and freezing. Snow is better with frost because it acts as an insulator. If the temperature is going to drop much below 20 degrees, you could add a mulch of dry leaves. If you’re concerned that you have a daffodil variety that is more frost-sensitive, you could always cover them with a small tent made of stakes and sheet plastic. That said, don’t keep the plastic cover over the flowers when the Sun comes out or they could fry!

perennial care

Assuming I am able to keep my daffodils for the entire 'lifespan', what should I do to preserve them until the next season ? Cover them with bark chips, or maybe a lighter form of mulch; and should I bring them indoors ?

daffodil lifespan

Once planted, daffodils can stay in the ground. With proper attention (see above), they should continue to thrive for years.

march flowers or daffodills

Is it true that if you pick the flower when blooming of daffodills,( March flowers as I know them), they will never bloom again? I have never heard this and someone just told me that.

cutting daff blooms

You can cut off daffodils; it’s the foliage that needs to remain on the plant/in the ground. It helps the bulb replenish.

Jan. 16, 2017, will Daffodil bulbs bloom in Bay Area CA if plant

I just received as a gift from a Gardner some Daffodil bulbs. Is it too late to plant them now? It has been very chili here and they have been out side. We are in the San Francisco Bay Area. The bulbs do have some green stems forming.

daffs as a gift

Do you know the gardener? Could you ask him or her what he or she knows about them? They may be a special type…just a thought. Daffs need a cold spell to thrive successfully—and you may have one going on. We say plant them and see what happens in a few months. Better to do that and hope than not and wonder.

Planting daffodils in a january thaw

I live in SE MI and I did not purchase/plant in Fall for various reasons. Because I heard that you can plant daffodils as long as the ground is diggable / not frozen, I purchased them last week and I will plant them this week when weather is above freezing. What I am wondering is whether or nt I should do anything else because of these conditions? Should I plant on the deeper side to protect them more. or should I plant them on the higher side, so they will come up more or less on schedule? etc.

Planting daffodils late in the season

Hi Christine,
You should plant them according to the instructions on the package. You could also consider holding off and starting them indoors in the spring.

how on earth

i have been wondering for a long time if you can harvest more bulbs from one?

daffodil bulbs

Usually, each daffodil bulb produces one stem. This is a perennial so it will grow a stem the following spring, too.

Hi, I'm 13 but I love to

Hi, I'm 13 but I love to garden (I have cabbage and mustard and pinto beans (indoors @ night & outdoors @ day) growing right now)! I live in Clinton, MS (which is how I'm still growing pinto beans right now), and I was wondering when I should plant my daffodils. I just got some, but it's still in the mid-80s & we're in a severe drought, and I'm worried it might not get cold and stay cold long enough for them. What should I do & how & when should I plant them & care for them???

Hi Christopher,

A young gardener … bravo! We love it when young people are excited about growing. OK, so October and November are the months to plant spring-blooming bulbs. Given your heat wave, wait until the end of November, when the weather might be a bit cooler. In order to give your bulbs the time they need to set roots, grow, and bloom, they should go into the ground at that time, even if temperatures are warmer than usual. Best of luck!

Daffodills

The passed twould years a couple of my daffodils had their leave still green all the way up until mid August. The bulbs bloomed in spring and just kept their leaves up. A few of them didn't bloom this year but they too did the same thing. Our yard use to be shady due to large ash trees but last year all of them were cut down. Due to invasive emerald ash boare. So my question is... is this normal for daffodils to stay green this long? They were in partial shade but do get full schrching sUn during parts of the day.

Green Daffodil Foliage

Yes, daffodil foliage can remain green anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on where you live. It could very well be the shade that kept them from blooming very much (it may take a year or two before they benefit from the light you have created by removing the trees). Leaving the foliage on benefits the bulb so don’t cut it back until it starts to die back naturally. Consider planting new bulbs now and fertilizing at the time of planting.

planting and caring for bulbs in SoCal

I just purchased an assortment of "Warm Climate Daffodil Fall Bulbs" for planting in northeast San Diego County. From what I have read I know I water them when I plant them, but do I continue to water on a regular basis throughout the fall and winter or do I wait until spring to water? We rarely get rain in our area.

Watering warm weather daffs

Thinking through the keys here: It wouldn’t seem like you could go wrong watering; how would the bulbs know the difference btw water from your hose or watering can and water from the sky?

Seriously (here, too), we do not see any guidance on withholding water, following the initial watering to settle the soil around the bulbs. Since the fall is the time the bulbs set roots, a bit of water at any time—as long as it drains off and does not pool—should be fine.

Planting daffodils

I leave in the south. I recieved a shipment of daffodils and Esperanto tulips to plant. However, we are still have 90-95 degrees weather. Do I need to wait a couple of weeks to plant to wait on cooler weather or is it ok to plant now?

too hot...

That seems a bit hot to plant. Generally speaking, you want to get the bulbs in the ground comfortably before the cold comes. That could mean as late as November (even here in New England!), so you have plenty of time. Split the difference and get them into the soil in/by mid-October.

Planting bulbs in fall means spring isn’t far away at all!

Replant now or wait until fall?

We are doing some relandscaping and pulled up a bunch of bulbs that have been flowering for many years. We live in the Sacramento area of California and it is very hot right now. Do I store the bulbs until fall, or is it best to replant right away? If we should store them, what's the best place, inside the house or refrigerator?

lifting and storing daffodils

Store them and replant in fall. See details above for more on that. In the meantime, put them into a paper bag with peat moss and store them in a basement or other cool, dry place. It’s not nec to put them into a refrigerator but if you do, use one of the vegetable drawers, away from food.

Daffdoil bulbs gone bad?

My husband put daffodil bulbs in a plastic bucket outside. We forgot about them, they were in the bucket for about 2-3 weeks, we dumped them out of the bucket and they smell horrible?
Does this mean they are bad, or could we still plant them for next year?

daffodils

i was forced to pull up my daffodils before the stems had died. the stems are pure green. how can i save them to replant

Replant them as soon as you

Replant them as soon as you can, even if it is in a pot. Do not cut the stems until they have withered and turned yellow/brown.

Daffodils

Daffodils are planted outside and have already flowered and flowers are gone. Healthy green stems are left. Can I snip off at bottom, or just leave them until next year. Thank you

Daffodils

just received two daffodils in full bloom for Mother's Day. I know nothing about these flowers and wonder what kind of light they require. Full or partial sun? I read several of your comments to others, but nothing I read said anything about sunlight. I live in California and we are not getting much rain now (if any). Specifically, I need to know if they can be planted and receive "morning shade" only. There are six plants in each pot. Can I transplant them while they are in bloom, or do I have to wait until fall to plant the bulbs? Can they be kept as houseplants or do I need plant them in my yard?

Enjoy your daffodils in the

Enjoy your daffodils in the pots. Place them in a sunny or semi-shady spot. Keep the soil moist. Let the flowers and leaves die back on their own. To have blooms next spring plant them in the garden in the fall as they need a cold period to go dormant before starting new growth in early spring.

Bulbs

I received some bulbs from a friend. What do I do with them till I can plant them in the fall? I live in Mississippi

storing bulbs

Store bulbs in bins or paper bags in a cool, dry place which has good circulation. If humidity is a threat (occasional or persistent), surround the bulbs with peat moss in the bags or bins in a cool, dry place.

Blooming sparsely first year

Planted over 140 daffodils and jonquils this past fall, however, its April in zone 8b and they've only bloomed perhaps 20%. They all did produce healthy plants. Checked this site for sun and nutient requirements. Partially sunny location, close to a specimen oak.

Cut Daffodils

I live near Fairbanks, Alaska, so Daffodils are mostly available as cut stems that open within a day or so after being placed in water. After the flower fades, a bulb forms at the base of the flower. What is it? Does it have any use?

These are seedpods. These

These are seedpods. These pods need to turn brown and dry up. When the pod is totally dry you can brake it open. You will find small black seeds in the pot. These can be planted in pots indoors. It may take weeks for the seeds to germinate. When the seedlings get bigger move them to bigger containers. It may take 3 to 5 years before these daffodils will bloom.

Daffodils and other plants

I've heard not to plant daffodils with other plants or shrubs, although no one could tell me why. Is that true and if so, why!
Thanks so much!

Daffy Delight

Hi, Joanne: When the time comes, feel free to plant daffodil bulbs just about anywhere the soil is suitable. The one thing you want to avoid is planting them where they would be shaded by evergreens (or anything else, for that matter) and not get enough light. Thanks for asking!

Planting in late spring shade

I just pulled about 20 bulbs from the front of my house. I want to put them around a tree in the back by a lake. It's shady now, but in winter and early spring it's sunny before the trees grow leaves. Will the live?

Easter daffodils

Received Easter daffodils as an Easter gift. I live in NJ. When can I plant them outside?

Once the blossoms fade, keep

Once the blossoms fade, keep watering the plant until the leaves yellow and die back. Then, gently remove the bulbs from the pot, remove all the dead foliage, brush off dry soil, and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place. You can plant the bulbs in the fall.

Daffodils where a tree grew?

We recently lost a red oak. Had an arborist cut it down and grind the stump. Could I plant a bed of daffodils where the tree was? And if I find some that are blooming, could I do it now, or do I need to wait until fall and plant bulbs? I'm in South Carolina, zone 8.

Big daffodils from little oaks grow

Hi, Anne: To some extent, this depends on how far down the stump was ground. Daffodil bulbs should be planted at a depth equal to about 3 times their length (height, really), plus there needs to be well-draining soil beneath them – so you’re looking at a minimum of 16 inches or so as the depth of your soil layer. If you can find a way to extricate existing blooms with a big chunk of their soil and then transplant them quickly, then give it a try (we would start with a couple and see how they do). Otherwise, wait till fall. Thanks for asking!

green manure

is there a suitable green manure for my daffodil bed that I use for picking to add nutrients and cut down on weeds after the flowers have gone

thanks

Keith

daffodils

I have several daffodil bulbs in my fridge and want to plant them now. Is it too late and is there anything I can do to help them along such as soaking in warm water?

Plant the bulbs in a

Plant the bulbs in a container or in the garden when you can dig the soil. Do not soak the bulbs.

Replant now or later?

I just purchased a small pot of daffodil bulbs that already are sprouting with green shoots. The pot seems quite small for the number of shoots and I was wondering if I should divide and replant now in order to give them more space or wait until they have flowered and finished before disturbing them?
Thank you! Sydney

Leave the bulbs in the

Leave the bulbs in the original pot. If you transplant them now you may disturb the roots.

Dafodils that don't bloom

I have 40-50 healthy looking, tall daffodils lining a garden. The first year, the crop I planted bloomed beautifully. This year and last year, plants come up nice and tall and only 2 of 40 bloomed! I used bulb fertilizer 3 times during late fall and winter. What else can I do? I will divide them when they die off, and put bonemeal in the holes when replanting, but I am so disappointed.
HELP?

Your daffodils may be too

Your daffodils may be too crowded so it is a good idea to divide them and replant the bulbs after the foliage dies back. We also recommend to apply a low-nitrogen, high-potash fertilizer in late spring for bulbs that don’t bloom.

Daffodils

I cleaned up on old Graveyard in the woods this past fall wich had been over grown for years. I went back there yesterday to check on things and found beautiful Daffodils by many of the Graves. It was a welcome sight on a cold windy day.

repotting and care for my daffodils

I bought at 4 1/2" pot of daffodil with three plants in it a few days before Valentine Day. I try to deadhead some of the flowers but some would not come off so I did not force the issues and the leaves are yellowing or drooping. They are place on my window sill that gets about an hour to an hour and half of sunlight facing east. I would like to replant them in a bigger pot or will they bloom again next spring in the same pot and should I put them somewhere else to get more sunlight. What do I do next to get them to bloom and last long in bloom or is two weeks a long time for the bloom to last?

Let the foliage die back. The

Let the foliage die back. The daffodils will not bloom again this year. If you live in a cool climate you can plant the bulbs in the garden and they will bloom again next spring. If you live in a warm region you need to store bulbs in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 weeks before planting them in a container or in the garden.

hyacinth, and daffodil

i just bought some hyacinth and daffodil. do i need to plant them close to an area that i can water them often. i live on 12 acres and wanted to plant them further out but i don't have access to water, would have to do it by buckets.

Re daffodils with black spots on them

I was wondering why my 1 year old daffodils have black spots on them. I can forward you a photo if you wish.

Are the spots on the leaves?

Are the spots on the leaves? It could be narcissus leaf scorch. It is a fungal disease that occures during wet weather in a mild climate. Remove the leaves with the spots and hopefully with drier weather the spots will disappear.

Daffodills in the deep south and Hyacinth

I am zone 8b and bought some Trumpet white/yellow daffodills at walmart very small pot with about 5 daffodills in full bloom in February so I was going to plant in the ground and after they die back I was going to look at the bulbs, dry them out and put in frig for 8 to 10 weeks and put back in ground. Is this correct? I have never grown daffodills. It says on tag its a annual for zones 7-10 and periennal for zones 3-7. So how can I have these year after year and what should I do now in that with them in that tiny pot. I also got some purple hyacinth early blooming blubs in full bloom and what should I do with them as well? ALso if I do ever plant in the ground should it be in a sunny spot in the South tags says it loves full sun 6 or more hrs a day.Thanks for any help.

Daffodills in the deep south and Hyacinth

Re: Orchids stopped blooming

I bought 3 pots of orchids at Lowe's the other year; they were full of flowers... but once the flowers withered, they did not flower again, except for one; the flowers are taking too much time to open. What did I do wrong. I follow the directions on how and when to fertilize and water them. Please help!

After orchids bloom they go

After orchids bloom they go dormant for about 6 to 9 months. When they stop blooming move the orchids to a cooler location that is between 55 and 65 degrees F. and begin fertilizing every other week with a 20-20-20 fertilizer mixed to half strength.

Re: Tips of my daffodils turning yellow

I bought a pot of blooming daffodils from a local grocery store; it started blooming already and there were lots of buds coming up too... the next day, I noticed the tips of the leaves were turning yellow. What would have caused it? the soil is just moist, not soggy and I placed the pot at a location where it gets plenty of sunlight in the morning until noon.
Please help me what to do.

It’s hard to tell what caused

It’s hard to tell what caused the tips of the leaves to turn yellow. Maybe there was a temp. change from the store to your location. Daffodils like it a bit cool. Maybe the bulbs are crowded in the pot. Hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy the flowers before the leaves turn all yellow.

Daffodils

For the past 2years have come up in December and don't bloom. What is wrong with them and what should I do. Thank you for the help.

Daffodils under Apple Tree

Dear Sir/Madam

I have a 4 feet by 4 feet bare ground surrounded by a concrete patio. A month ago I planted a Semi Dwarf Fuji Apple Tree in this spot after properly amending the soil with plenty of compost and a bit of builders sand. The tree was in a 5 gallon nursery pot and is currently dropping its leaves and getting ready to go into dormancy. I want to plant 4 clumps (6 bulbs per clump) of Daffodil "Thalia" bulbs around the tree. Each clump will be about 15 inches away from the tree trunk and bulbs in each clump will be 3-4 inches away from each other. My questions are:
1. Given my arrangement, will the bulbs naturalize and bloom every year (provided I follow all the care guidelines) or will they still need to be divided every few years.
2. If the plan I explained may have long term adverse implications on apple tree, would it be ok to actually plant the daffodils in 10 inch tall and 12 inch wide black nursery pots with drainage holes and bury the nursery pots themselves in the ground around the tree? This way if bulbs get crowded I can simply pull them out of the pot without disturbing apple tree roots.

What would you recommend. I live in central California valley (zone 9a). The bulbs will be in the southeast side of fence (sun till 1 pm).

‘Thalia’ daffodils are known

‘Thalia’ daffodils are known to grow well for many, many years. They will naturalize and our suggestion is to not plant the bulbs too close together. Leave at least 5 inches between each bulb so that they have room to multiply and thicken over time. The bulbs will not interfere with the roots of the apple tree. The tree roots will spread below the bulbs.

storage of bulbs

do i keep my bulbs in the dark

Hi Dave,

As you’re writing us in October, we advise that you plant your bulbs—about 2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes.

Planting

I have 100 daffodils, 100 tulips and 50 Alliums in my refrigerator planning to plant in December.
The area planned has some morning sun on one side and afternoon sun on the other side of the site which is shaded by a large African Sumac tree.
I live in Las Vegas and the last 200 bulbs failed to grow in the very hot sun.
Is my planned area, shielded from wind, with a lot of shade desirable for these bulbs?

You need as much shade as you

You need as much shade as you can for the bulbs to grow well. If possible plant the bulbs earlier than Dec. to take advantage of the cooler winter temps.

The bulbs need as much shade

The bulbs need as much shade as possible to grow well in your area. If possible plant them before Dec. to take advantage of cooler winter temps.

Can I plant Daffodils and

Can I plant Daffodils and Tulips in the same bed as Hostas? I was afraid the watering of the hostas in the summer might rot out the spring bulbs. Any suggestions on something annual I can plant with my spring bulbs so that I have color all summer?

Whether you water or Mother

Whether you water or Mother Nature does (with rain), the effect is the same. So short of constant soaking, you should have no problem with planting bulbs near the hostas. (Under the "right" conditions, hostas can get huge after a few years, so be prepared to move or replant the bulbs, if necessary.)
As for annuals, you have your pick of the nursery! No annuals that we know of would compete with the bulbs. Go to the garden store, look at the plant tags for specific needs (sun/shade, water, etc.) and get yourself an array of flats that match the conditions in the space you want to fill.

I was cleaning my mother's

I was cleaning my mother's (now deceased) flower bed and the daffodill bulbs are bare of soil on top and the new, small ones are actually out of the soil. Do I replant them? Do I cover them with new soil? Do I dry them and plant in the fall? They have been blooming for the last 2 years and just in one spot. I do not know anything about growing them. Please help.
Thank you.
nj

The bulbs may be bare for a

The bulbs may be bare for a number of reasons: shifting soil coverage due to wind and rain, for example. This is a good time to lift (uproot) them. If you like you can discard the small ones; they may take several seasons to mature and send up flowers. Store the bulbs in a col, dry place until—as advised above late fall. Then, plant as suggested above.

Hello, I am from North East

Hello, I am from North East India, we live in a Tropical Region.

Last Winter I received Daffodils, Tulip and Hyacinth bulbs from Holland, I put them in a pot but all of them not bear flowers. Now, its mid June and the temparature here is between 20 - 28 degrees. My Daffodils and Hyacinths still bears a green leaves. Since, it is my first time with these flowers, how could I keep my daffodils to bloom for next season. Am I need to refrigate the bulbs? Or leave the bulb as it is in the pot. Monsoon comes with heavy rainfall during June to mid September in our place, would the rain spoils the bulb if I keep as it is?

once the daffodils are done

once the daffodils are done blooming do I trim the leaves or let them turn brown and then pull them out?

Allow the leaves to turn

Allow the leaves to turn brown and dry before trimming the foliage. You do not have to lift (remove) the bulbs from the soil for next season. See "Care" above for details.

I received a daffodil plant

I received a daffodil plant for Mother's Day and it has started to wilt. I live in a NYC apartment with no outdoor space or garden. Do you have suggestions for how I might preserve and replant ? Thx!

Hi NYC, Once the blossoms

Hi NYC, Once the blossoms face, keep watering the plant until the leaves yellow and die back. Then, gently remove the bulbs from the pot, remove all the dead foliage, brush off dry soil, and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place. You can replant in the fall. You may find this page helpful: https://www.oldhousegardens.co...

Question about yellowing

Question about yellowing leaves - do I trim/cut them or leave them alone? Thanks.

Leave them alone until they

Leave them alone until they die off. They need time after blooming to store energy in the bulbs for next year.

My daffodils are dying. They

My daffodils are dying. They are outside by front door in a planting pot. At first I though they were getting enough water so I was watering them more. That didn't work so I thought maybe its in the shade too much so I relocated to get more sun and its getting worse. The green leafs are starting to brown. What am I doing wrong? How often should I be watering them and how much? Are they now getting too much sun?

It is hard for us to diagnose

It is hard for us to diagnose from afar but we can give you some guidelines for growing daffodils in pots. First, daffodils do need lots of water while they are growing. When you plant, heavily water so that the soil is completed saturated. Then keep them moist until rain comes. Water for 3 weeks after they bloom.
Of course, daffodils like a sunny spot. Also they must drain well. For growing daffodils in pots, we like to add one-third perlite to two-thirds sterilized soil. Also, was your pot big enough? Consider 1 gallon for a normal-size bulb, 2 gallons for 3 to 4 bulbs.
We hope others in our Web site community can weigh in!

Daffodils are one of my

Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers and I'm in tears because my husband cut all the leaves off before they turned yellow. He wasn't aware they would not bloom the following year. Is there anything I can do to help the bulbs to bloom next year? I have a large garden full of bulbs.

Hi Emily, There is really

Hi Emily,

There is really nothing you can do now. You may still get some blooms next spring and the bulbs will produce leaves. Next year let the leaves turn yellow on their own and you will have beautiful blooms the following spring.

My brother bought a house

My brother bought a house with beautiful gardens of daffodils planted by the previous owner. Since he is no gardner, the flowers have washed all over the property. After blooming, I dug them up (so I could remember where they were). I immediately replanted in the old gardens and the leaves wilted and turned yellow. What happened?

Hi, Mirinda, After booming,

Hi, Mirinda, After booming, and over the course of weeks or months, daffodil foliage does wilt, turn yellow, and dry up. It is during that time that the bulbs build up energy to bloom again next year.
Your digging them up interrupted that process. Now, undisturbed, they may be able to recover. You can't know until next year.
The next time you want to lift blubs, mark the area and wait until they have finished.

I have a lot of daffodils I

I have a lot of daffodils I would like to remove to plant grass. They have bloomed already how
long do I wait to dig up the bulbs? When I dig them up how do I save them to replant them in the fall? Thanks

Hi Pat, Let the foliage turn

Hi Pat,
Let the foliage turn yellow before digging the bulbs. Shake off any soil and place the bulbs in a well ventilated area in the shade to dry for about a week. When dry you can dust the bulbs with fungicide powder and then put them in a paper or mesh bag and store in a cool dark place.

I have had daffodils for

I have had daffodils for years most are outstanding and bloom yearly. But there are clumps that never bloom.
Can you help with a reason why this happens?

Daffodils grow best in full

Daffodils grow best in full sun. You may want to move the bulbs that don't bloom if they are in shade. Daffodils do get crowded after a few years and may stop blooming. If this is the case lift the bulbs and divide them before replanting. The daffodils may also benefit from a low-nitrogen, high-potash fertilizer.

I grow a lot of daffodils in

I grow a lot of daffodils in the garden.
After flowering can the bulbs be dug up ready for next year rather than waiting until they die off

The books will tell you to

The books will tell you to wait until the greens have time to die back and return energy to next year's bulbs. I have grown hundreds of daffodil bulbs for years and always followed this practice. Several years ago while working on a local public garden project with a new gardener, this inexperienced gardener lifted an overcrowded clump right out of the ground in full bloom, separated them, spread them out and replanted. While I was sure that would be the death of them, in fact they have come back each spring. Go figure!

There are a number of reasons

There are a number of reasons why daffodils might not bloom.
• they are in shade
• the soil they are in does not drain
• they are competing with other plants, e.g., evergreen trees
• they need dividing
Bingo! That sounds like your problem. Later in summer or early fall, lift the clump, pull the bulbs apart, and replant them in sun (not near evergreens) and in well draining soil.

Rotting Bulbs It's about time

Rotting Bulbs
It's about time for the daffodils in my garden (well-drained, sunny) to start growing or have started growing. This was the first time I planted any (last fall), so I'm not sure, but the hyacinths right beside them have started growing. I dug up a few daffodils and saw they were starting to rot and get moldy. they are still firm on the inside. Can I do anything to save them from rotting further?

Hi ! I live in the south of

Hi ! I live in the south of England, UK. My friend has some daffodils that are planted about 6 inches away from a 3 foot high garden wall, they are currently in flower but she wonders why they all face east? I said most flowers follow the sun, but she says they permanently face east! Is there any particular reason for this??

We are most curious about this!

I planted 280 daffodil bulbs

I planted 280 daffodil bulbs last fall...actually it was the end of August. I am in zone 3b. The year before I planted about 50 and not one came up. I dug around and did not even find anything I could recognize as a bulb so when I planted last fall I researched and bought a tool to plant with and put fertilizer in the bottom of the hole before I set the bulb. As of today... March 20th only 10% of bulbs have emerged. I dug around in the soil a bit and found a few mushy bulbs. I definitely planted deep enough. If I do not get more plants coming up in the next 2 weeks I will be beyond disappointed. The bulbs were purchased from a reputable supplier and looked healthy when I poked them in the dirt. I am at a loss. Any suggestions for future success?

If the bulbs didn't freeze

If the bulbs didn't freeze the reason for the daffodils not to grow could be poor drainage. You may need to amend your soil with compost to make it drain better.

I have planted with success

I have planted with success lots (100s) of daffodils (Z6). Clumps get bigger each year. Except: one spring I planted a small tree uphill from a large clump and I watered that tree often all summer. I killed every one of those daffodil bulbs. Apparently they don't like wet soils. The grape hyacinths were fine, I plant these with daffodils because you can always tell where the daffs are.

Every year my daffodils come

Every year my daffodils come up, bloom, and then bow their heads so that I can't see their beautiful trumpets! I notice my neighbors' daffodils do not do this. Any idea what causes this?

some daffodils are up-facing,

some daffodils are up-facing, but most are not. One that I have called 'Carlton' is up-facing and blooms early in the mid-season. It is two-toned with the petals being a lighter yellow.

Hi, stupid question, but can

Hi, stupid question, but can if i put fresh cut daffodils in water, is there any way to get them where i can replant and make more?

Hi Jennifer, Once the

Hi Jennifer, Once the daffodil has been cut for a vase, it can't be replanted. The best way to produce new daffodils is to remove offsets (baby bulbs) from the parent bulb.

I live in Philadelphia and

I live in Philadelphia and would love to get some daffodils in my outdoor planter for this spring. If I purchase some flowering plants from the nursery can I replant them now (with flowers on), or will the change cause them to wilt and die?

We bought our place in

We bought our place in Oklahoma City last year and moved in in mid spring. This year the Daffodil's are coming up all over the place. It does not look like they have been planted I any set pattern. They are scattered over most of the five acres. My question is do they get scattered by mowing or other methods such as birds etc.

Hi James, Daffodils are often

Hi James,
Daffodils are often used to naturalize (planted in a natural setting) in a lawn or under trees. They are not planted in a pattern and do multiply (some varieties better than others). The bulbs multiply under ground. The trick is not to mow or cut off the foliage before it has turned brown. The bulbs get their nutrients from the leaves.

Live in Athens, Ga. Need to

Live in Athens, Ga. Need to move my daffodils to the lake house. They are in full bloom.

? dig them up, each into a container w/soil and moe them

Then what? plant them in new location,
keep them in the pots till ?

If you can't wait until the

If you can't wait until the daffodils are done blooming you can dig them up. Try to get all the roots and some soil with each bulb. Put them in containers and then plant them as soon as possible in the new locations. Dig the holes big enough so that there is room for the bulbs and some of the soil from your garden.

For several years I have

For several years I have forgotten to transplant the daffodils from our ranch to our home. Now, they are again coming up at the ranch, their leaves are about 6" high--no stalk emerging yet. Can I deeply dig a cluster of them and transplant as a group, if I don't disturb the roots? They've been there for 40 years!

Yes,I would dig some up! I

Yes,I would dig some up! I did the same thing at an abandoned homesite with success. I found it set the blooming back by one year but now they're blooming and increasing.

I bought a house in November.

I bought a house in November. Now it is Feb and I have noticed lots of leaves pop up that look like daffodils, but I don't think they will bloom because the places they are at are very shady. When is it safe to move them to try again in a sunnier spot next year?

You may still get some

You may still get some blooms. Wait until the foliage turns yellow. Then dig the bulbs and separate them. Add some compost to the new holes before planting the bulbs.

Here in northern CO, last

Here in northern CO, last spring produced green leaves but no flowers on daffodils and it was not just at my home.....seemed to be an epidemic. We did not have a lot of snow over the winter.
My question is should I water the plants that are now about a inch out of the ground like we water trees here in the winter? The mts are getting snow but we have not had much on the Front Range so far. Every other year since '98, my daffodils have been beautiful even through dry winters????
Thanks in advance...

You can give the daffodils

You can give the daffodils some water but be careful not to overwater. The daffodils may be crowded if you haven't transplanted them recently.

Thanks.....wondered if they

Thanks.....wondered if they needed transplanting from previous posts.

It's the end of January in

It's the end of January in the Dallas-FtWorth area. Is it too late to plant daffodil bulbs?

im over in Euless and the

im over in Euless and the yellow daffodils just bloomed in the past 4 days. it is jan 30, 2015 now

It's January in northern

It's January in northern Virginia. Is it too late to plant daffodil bulbs?

Daffodils need a period of

Daffodils need a period of chilling temperatures to bloom in the spring. If you think that you will have some more cold weather you can plant them now in the ground (if you can dig the soil) or in a container outdoors.

If I plant bulbs now to bloom

If I plant bulbs now to bloom in the spring early summer in my big pots and window boxes, do I need to pull them out before planting geraniums for the summer or can I plant the geraniums next to them and then pull the geraniums up in the fall before the ground freezes?

Hi Kristi, You can leave the

Hi Kristi,
You can leave the bulbs in the containers if there is room to plant geraniums between them. The spring bulbs' foliage will die back in late spring and you can add annuals (like geraniums) to the pots.

I live in Camp Verde, AZ

I live in Camp Verde, AZ which is in Zone 8 of the planting guide. I have successfully grown bulbs here for several years. We have had a warm fall and now my daffodils have sprouted (just leaves no blooms). We are starting to get freezing temperatures at night. What do I do now?

Sandie, Cover your daffs with

Sandie, Cover your daffs with some mulch to help to protect them from the coming cold and any that follows—but do not remove the foliage. The bulbs get their energy from the foliage. This autumn growth will die back and turn brown. In spring, when the buls come again you can cut off the brown foliage for appearances sake. You bulbs should come back, unless you're also seeing bulbs emerge now, which makes their future harder to predict.
This early growth could be the result of exceptionally warm weather, the bulbs being too shallow (and so closer to the surface where the warmth is), or they were planted too early in season. These last two reasons may not apply to you, as it doesn't sound like your situation, but I share for other readers.

My gardener was supposed to

My gardener was supposed to till up soil, add garden soil and plant 200 daffodils (northern Georgia). I had to leave, returned and checked daffodils. The 5-6 I found were laying on top of new soil with about 3" of mulch on top, most on their side (2 upside down). He and I dug through mulch/soil and replanted as many as we could reasonably find - maybe half. What is likelihood that flowers will grow if 1) laying on its side or upside down and/or 2) only covered with 3-4" of mulch? Thank you.

As you know, bulbs should be

As you know, bulbs should be planted the pointy side up. However, even if they're planted wrong, they usually do find their way to the surface.
The planting depth depends on size. Daffodils should be planted at least twice as deep as the bulb is high. In the case of smaller bulbs, a few inches should be fine. For larger bulbs, the depth is usually 5 to 6 inches.
If the planting isn't deep enough, your daffodils may grow but without flowers as shallow planting deprives them of the needed moisture. You'll have to see how they fare.
Be extra careful that your daffodils get needed moisture as well as the nutrients that come from rich soil; feed your daffodils regularly after flowering with a liquid fertilizer at intervals of 7 to 10 days. Continue this until foliage turns yellow.

I have had to lift my

I have had to lift my daffodils before their leaves are yellow.I want to keep them and plant for spring.Will they be okay ,or shall I plant somewhere until the leaves yellow.
It is coming up to summer here.

This will sound totally inane

This will sound totally inane but last year I planted daffodil bulbs in my window box upside down! Can I replant them the correct way this year or have I destroyed the bulbs?

Hi, Renee: First of all,

Hi, Renee: First of all, there's no such thing as an inane question! That's what we inane question answerers are here for! And BTW: You are only the umpteenth billion person to have done this -- not to worry! The answer to your question is: There is only one way to find out: Replant. But most bulbs will find a way to make it regardless of their planting orientation, so hopefully there isn't something else going on here, like rot or pests. But go for it!

I had planted some

I had planted some already-bloomed daffodils I bought at the store in a pot outside early spring this year (2014). It is now September and I want to bring the pot indoors and try to force bloom them for winter. There is still some lingering green foliage and I want to know the best way to force bloom them indoors. Do I cut the foliage down and refrigerate the bulbs until ready for replanting? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, James: If there is any

Hi, James: If there is any chance that the green foliage means that your plants are still alive, you should leave (sorry) them alone until they turn yellow. They are still providing energy to the bulb. Once you are confident that they have passed, then you can snip or twist off the plant from the bulb. Put the bulbs root down in shallow, loosely packed, well-draining, moist potting medium in a cool (40 to 45 degrees), dark area for at least 3 months, then bring out into the coolest area of your house and progressively move to warmer areas. Always be very careful and gentle with the bulbs/plants.

We want to plant MANY

We want to plant MANY daffodil bulbs on a hillside by our church this fall. If, after they have bloomed and gone dormant the site is sprayed for weeds will it kill the bulbs ?

For daffodils, you do not

For daffodils, you do not want to use any pre-emergent herbicides nor weed control chemicals from October through June. Herbicides usually should not be applied until after plants emerge and are established (April/May). Better to smother the weeds with an old carpet or mulch over the winter.

It depends on what your using

It depends on what your using and how much you use.....i would.recomend mulching the site and establishing a strong low lying (non-invasive ) ground cover...i like creeping phlox if its a shaded area. Weed by hand periodicaly...let them get big enough to pull but immature enough to not go to seed. Otherwise you leave roots behind that multiply.

I have a square built with

I have a square built with r/r ties around a tree and I planted King Alfreds a few years ago, covered with vinca minor. (Minor, not major) Beautiful each year and I leave the daffodil greens until they turn yellow and then just lift up the dead yellow parts to neaten the planter. Gorgeous. (Northern Sacramento Valley, California.)

I just brought home some

I just brought home some Daffodil Bulbs from my sister's garden in Missouri. She lives about an hour south of St Louis. I live in San Antonio, Tx so the climate and conditions are very different here on June 15th, than they were there. What do I do with the bulbs till Fall planting time....do I put them in breathable bag and keep in refrigerator till late Sept? Or do I plant now? Also, they have nice roots on them, do I take them off along with the dirt before store in refrigerator? thanks for any help!

I have lots of bulbs I

I have lots of bulbs I brought from my house when I moved. Can I plant or do I wait til fall?

Plant the bulbs now. Don't

Plant the bulbs now. Don't remove the roots or leaves. The bulbs will finish storing nutrients through the summer months and hopefully bloom beautifully next spring.

I live on the Georgia coast

I live on the Georgia coast with sandy soil. Have you heard of placing an oyster shell under each bulb when you plant to keep the bulb from burying itself? Also this might provide some lime.

The reason most gardeners

The reason most gardeners sprinkle ground oyster shell over the surface of the garden is to deter digging from rodents and other bests.

While visiting in England,

While visiting in England, and seeing the gorgeous daffodils planted in long rows, I inquired about what to do with them after they bloomed. I was told to take off the flower stem, and then tie each plant with a single knot so that the leaves lie rather flat to the ground. The leaves remain green and then just turn yellow. I have done this with the daffodils I have planted, and each year they have come up just fine. I have then been able to plant other annuals in front of them, as the daffodils leaves then don't overshadow the annuals. Is this a good practice?

Hi, Avis, Hard to argue with

Hi, Avis, Hard to argue with the Brits. One of our editors just returned from the Chelsea Garden Show and they grounds are AMAZING! (Take a peak: http://www.almanac.com/blog/ed...)
But back to your daffs: The leaves enable the bulb to prepare for its show (bloom) next year. Tying "up" the foliage is not recommended because it reduces the are of the leaf that is exposed to sun. Take care that your annuals don't overshadow the daff foliage. It can be removed after it turns brown; when that will be (how long it might take) depends on several variables—bulb type and weather for starters.
Hope this helps.

I have some daffodils that I

I have some daffodils that I had to dig up. Do i cut the dangling roots off or leave them on. I plan to let them dry out and put them in the freezer in July to be planted in Oct. I live in Kentucky. Is this the correct way to handle them.

The leaves manufacture food

The leaves manufacture food so leave the bulbs/plants in the ground for about 8 weeks after they flower to allow the foliage to dry up on its own. Don't tie up or otherwise alter the foliage. You can remove the flower head, when it is spent to avoid seed production.
When you lift the bulbs, brush off any dirt and put the bulbs aside in a temperate, dry area where they will get good circulation but not on top of each other. Some folks use shallow trays or old nylon stockings or onion bags or vermiculite.
The freezer is too severe. The refrigerator is a better choice. The time required is 12 to 16 weeks. Do not place apples or other ethylene-producing products in the fridge you are using for the bulbs but do not wrap the bulbs in plastic either; they need to breathe.

I planted daffodils about

I planted daffodils about three years ago and they have bloomed every year. My question is...this year we seem to have a bulb growing at the base of each closed flower. Is this reproduction or am i seeing something else?

Yes, the "bulb" you see is

Yes, the "bulb" you see is where the ovule is found (in the ovary) of wild daffodils. That is where seeds develop. It can take 5 to 7 years for a seed to become a plant.
The bulb in the ground is a quicker way for daffodils to reproduce.
For more on see see here: http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203...

Can these bulbs be cut off

Can these bulbs be cut off and replanted in another area?

i need to know if i can dig

i need to know if i can dig up my daffodils that are growing in apatio pot before they all stop flowering? or should I wait until lesves turn brown.

I have been searching off and

I have been searching off and on for months about tee tiny bulbs I dug up and I think I FINALLY may have found what I have been looking for....ovule - seeds of daffodils bulbs. An aunt gave me apprx 25 bulbs ten plus years ago. I planted them. They got covered and layered with leaves. It was suppose to a temp spot. I dug up last year what became apprx over 200 bulb/seeds. Bulbs came came up, didn't bloom, not ready. Didn't understand why no more greenery came up than what I transplanted. Wish me luck. She has recently passed and I really want to dedicate a really nice large area in memory of her calling them Aunt Jo's.

I have these double daffs

I have these double daffs along my walkway at my home. For years they have come up very green, grow beautiful buds AND THEY NEVER OPEN! They are in a sunny spot and believe they get plenty of water. Should I yank them out or is there something I can do to get the buds to open? They are double daffs.

Overcrowding can cause buds

Overcrowding can cause buds to dry up. If you haven't divided your bulbs the last few years you may want to dig them up and replant them this fall.

When my daffodil bloom is

When my daffodil bloom is spent is it proper to 'dehead' it or should I leave the old blossoms alone and let them fade away naturally?

You can remove the spent

You can remove the spent flower but leave the leaves. If a flower stalk produces a seedpod it is a good idea to remove it. This will allow the daffodil plant to focus its energy on the underground bulb.

I had to dig up my daffodils

I had to dig up my daffodils before the leaves died back because I was moving & wanted to take some with me. What do I do with them to give them the best chance of survival?

Plant the daffodils in the

Plant the daffodils in the ground as soon as possible or plant them in a container with soil.

Thank you!

I have double daffodils and

I have double daffodils and they have not bloomed for three years. They were weed eated in the spring but I don't know if the leaves had died or not. Will they bloom again or do I need to dig them up. Is it possible they need dug up and separated as they are not in big clumps.

If your daffodils have not

If your daffodils have not bloomed for 3 years it is best to dig the bulbs and move them to a sunny new location. Now is a good time to transplant the bulbs.

I have just realized I messed

I have just realized I messed up big time. When my daffodils quit blooming the are all across my front yard, I have my husband mow them down. NOT GOOD...I won't do that again. But tell me, those that did not bloom this year because we mowed them down last year, will they come up and bloom next spring or do I need to dig everything up and try again? I know I have messed up, but is it fixable?

Deb Woodhouse
Springdale, AR

If you cut back the leaves

If you cut back the leaves once they have died and yellowed this spring, there is a chance they will bloom next year.

I live in Northern Michigan

I live in Northern Michigan and have some potted daffodils that I would like to plant for next spring. Should I let them die back and follow the cleaning/refrigeration method and plant them in a couple months or wait until fall? Thanks!

You should let the daffodils

You should let the daffodils die back in their pots, place them outside if temperatures allow. Once you have removed the dead, yellow leaves, you can plant the bulbs in the ground.

If daffodils are pruned

If daffodils are pruned before the leaves die down I realize they won't bloom the next year but will they be able to bloom in two years? Here's my situation. I bought some wild daffodil bulbs from ebay and when they came they were trimmed with about 4" of some foliage remaining. Most had yellow foliage but some was still green. So the ones still green probably won't bloom next year but could they the following year or not? Thanks for any information.

If you cut back the leaves

If you cut back the leaves once they have died and yellowed this spring, there is a chance they will bloom next year.

Last spring my mom and I

Last spring my mom and I transplanted quite a few daffodils from my grandmothers house to mine. They successfully browned out and I cut them down as recommended. All but one group of bulbs have successfully sprouted and have blooms. My question is regarding the group that didn't come up.. are they dead? They were all planted the same day. Should I dig them up and move some bulbs to fill in the gap it the fall or wait a year to see if they appear next year?

Wait until the daffodils are

Wait until the daffodils are dormant (end of summer or early autumn) to check the bulbs and maybe transplant some. The daffodils that didn't grow this year will probably not come up next spring.

I have daffodils I bought at

I have daffodils I bought at a grocery store. I live in Florida. Can someone help me understand:

do I leave them in the small pot or can I transplant them into a bigger pot?

When they stop blooming do I take the bulbs out of the pot and put them in a dark spot in the back room or leave them in the soil?

I could not find anything on Southwest Florida daffodil care. Thank you.

Hi Cindy, After the leaves

Hi Cindy,
After the leaves have turned brown remove the bulbs from the pot and let them dry out. Put the dry bulbs in a paper bag and put them in the refrigerator for 8-10 weeks. Then plant them in a bigger pot and put the pot in a sunny location.

When is the best time to

When is the best time to separate overcrowded daffodils?

Also, do you dig the bulbs up & store them & them replant them at a certain time of year?

Detailed directions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Separate and transplant

Separate and transplant daffodil bulbs when they are dormant in late summer or fall. You do not need to store the bulbs.

I just accidentally dug up my

I just accidentally dug up my grandma's jonquils 2 days ago. I hope I understand your answer and I can replant them tomorrow.

I received a potted plant of

I received a potted plant of daffodils. I do not want to plant them outdoors. How do I care for them after the leaves have turned yellow and died? I want to keep them as an indoor plant. Also the bulbs can be seen at the top of the pot. Should I replant them to a larger pot with more potting soil?

Once the leaves have faded,

Once the leaves have faded, remove the bulbs from the soil and let them dry. When dry put them in a paper bag and store them in the refrigerator for at least 8 to 10 weeks.Then plant them in a bigger pot with enough soil to cover the bulbs.

I am a newbie gardener and

I am a newbie gardener and wanted to try my hand at bulbs last year. I managed to get my tulips and hyacinths in the ground, but forgot about the daffodils. The daffodils were in my garage all winter and would have been exposed to extreme cold as I live in zone 6. Some of the bulbs seem to have sprouted. Do you think they will still bloom this year if I plant them at this late stage. Do they have a better chance if I plant them in indoor plants? Or should I just throw them away? Any advice would be appreciated!

Plant any bulbs that look

Plant any bulbs that look healthy in the ground or in containers. If the bulbs are mushy put them in your compost pile.

I have double daffodils that

I have double daffodils that put on bloom pods and they dry up before opening. What am I doing wrong? Plants are over 12 years old.

Weather can cause buds to

Weather can cause buds to freeze and turn brown. If the daffodils where hit by really cold weather after they just started to show growth the buds may have frozen. Overcrowding can cause buds to dry up. If you haven't divided your bulbs the last few years you may want to dig them up and replant them this fall.

i want to know how late you

i want to know how late you can get daffodils

Daffodil bulbs should be

Daffodil bulbs should be planted in the fall 6 weeks before hard frosts. Nighttime temperatures should be in the 40- to 50-degree range. That's usually September or October in the north and December or later in the south.
If you forgot to plant bulbs, we'd still put them in the ground. They do not last in the way that seeds do. So, if it is February or March, plant them and take your chances.

MY GRAND BABIES AND I PLANTED

MY GRAND BABIES AND I PLANTED DAFFODILS AND TULIPS LAST NOVEMBER AND THEY HAVE SPRUNG UP AND BLOSSOMED WELL. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT ALOT OF THE DAFFODILS FLOWERS ARE STARTING TO WILT AND DIE. DO THEY ONLY BLOOM ONCE PER SEASON?

Hi Jessie, Congrats on your

Hi Jessie, Congrats on your blooming daffodils! Yes, the lovely daffodil blooms once a year. It heralds spring and then it's gone until next year.
You can mix in certain varieties that last longer. You could also mix up varieties so that you have some early-, mid-, and late-bloomers. Ask your garden center for varieties that fit your region.

I live in Dallas, TX, and

I live in Dallas, TX, and bought several indoor pots of daffodils that were blooming. they have finished and the leaves are dying back.
Do I keep watering them? I know enough to let the leaves die all the way back then cut them off. I want to plant them in the yard for next year. Do I leave them in the pots now then take them out and store in the frig for 6 to8 weeks and plant them in the fall? I am very confused about what to do now. Please help, I don't want to lose them. Thank you for your help

If your ground freezes in the

If your ground freezes in the winter you can just plant the bulbs in the garden and they will come up next spring. A cold treatment—natural or induced—is needed for flower buds to develop.

hello.im elaine and i live in

hello.im elaine and i live in east sussex england.i planted some daffadils and tupils in large pots last winter. due to our odd weather my daffadils have already bloomed(lovely and healthy)and now my tulips are also in bloom.UNFORTUNELY i cut the green leaves off my daffs as it was all overcrowded and to make room for the tulips.once my tulips have bloomed can i move both daffs and tulip bulbs to a dug out garden bed or have i killed them by cutting off the leaves.would really like your advice many thanks elaine.

You have not killed them.

You have not killed them. Move them to the garden bed and they will come back. The daffodils may be weaker next year and have less blooms.

I planted johnquills fall

I planted johnquills fall before last at approx 4" deep. The flowers bloomed great and i let the stems die down completely. This year only a few came back up-no blooms. Do daffodills "skip"years or are the probably dead??

Daffodils should bloom every

Daffodils should bloom every year. If they don't bloom, then they didn't store enough food in the bulbs the prior year during the time when the foliage was dying down. Did anyone cut off the foliage by accident? Could they be in a shady area so that they didn't get enough sunlight? (If so, you would want to move them.) If given good growing conditions, your daffodils should bloom again.

Daffodils are growing on a

Daffodils are growing on a 200-acre wooded tract of land along the Chattahoochee River in Metro-Atlanta. Some of them were undoubtedly associated with an old homesite but others are growing isolated in the woods, along streambanks, and at other locations where it is unlikely that anyone would have planted bulbs. How might these isolated daffodils originated (possibly via daffodil seeds transported by birds/ animals/ wind?) I thought for the most part animals/ rodents tended to avoid Narcissus family bulbs.

There are wild daffodils

There are wild daffodils which are a bit smaller than their cultivated varieties and daffodils do tend to grow well in woodlands and along streams.

Just recently planted

Just recently planted daffodils around the flag pole and they are in full bloom. We are expecting temps in the low thirties tonight. How safe are they with a severe temp drop? We are in central Texas, 60 miles south of Dallas.

Daffodils can take

Daffodils can take temperatures up to low 20s and bounce back-- though prolonged freezing temperatures may cause some damage to flowers and foliage. If flowers are in full bloom, the flowers may wilt as the flower stalk thaws.

I would like to transplant

I would like to transplant some daffodils (jonquils) that are located on my Grandmother's property to plant in my yard. It is late February here in Georgia and they are beautiful and blooming. I would like to know if it would be okay to plant them while they are in bloom? Thank you! Jennifer

It's better to wait until

It's better to wait until they are done blooming. But, if you do move them now make sure to get as much soil as possible around the bulbs so that you don't hurt the roots.

I raised 5 daffodils in the

I raised 5 daffodils in the house in a container last spring. After blooming, I let them dry out and kept them in a cool place all winter. They now have sprouts. How much of the old roots should I cut off to grow them in the container again ?

You can leave the roots as is

You can leave the roots as is or cut back to about an inch.

Oops I meant daffodils not

Oops
I meant daffodils not tulips - hope you got a laugh :-)

Worried about transplanting

Worried about transplanting starts.
I have read through the comments and responses and have learned a lot about growing tulips but do not see the answer to our particular situation. We live in Idaho and purchased daffodil bulbs at the end of the season (November) then realized that we were not going to get them in the already frozen ground. After reading some information about daffodils we decided the bulbs may dry up and not keep so we found containers that we could transport them in and added soil that we had dug out from under snow and hay bales. We plan to plant them in a meadow and near our shed on our forest property. We were hoping to transplant the daffodils as soon as we could get them in the ground this year - maybe February. We were not able to cover them with as much soil as the instructions indicated and now I see that some have green shoots starting. Should we get more soil and cover them up? We would like to delay the growing process and try to plant them still. Will it disturb the roots to much to plant them? We have a lot of bulbs planted in a small area. Thanks for any advice or help you can give us.

You can add more soil to the

You can add more soil to the containers to delay growth or put the containers in a shaded or dark area where they don't get as much sunlight.

I just recieved a box of

I just recieved a box of 250bulbs daffodils & 250 tulips fro FREE! It is late Jan here in Oklahoma &I it just snowed :-( so I have not had an opportunity to plant them in the ground yet. This might be good, this might be bad? My main worry is that I just noticed that the bulbs (more the daffodils than the tulips) have a teeny little green sprout starting to just barely grow. What can I do to prolong the growing until I can get them in the ground?? I brought them into the warm house when I first got them which was a few days ago. I am thinking maybe the warmth of the house started them growing. Is it ok to put out in the garage for a week until the snow is past? Heck, is too late to.plant at all??? Thanks! Pamela

Put the bulbs in the cool

Put the bulbs in the cool garage and cover them with a sheet or a blanket. They should be fine for planting later.

I live in Nigeria where we do

I live in Nigeria where we do not expereince snow. the average temperature is between 25 to 34 degrees celsius all year through. I bought a bag of daffodil bulbs and would like to know if they will successful grow in Nigeria?

They might bloom once but

They might bloom once but will quickly die out as the bulbs require cold or at least cool winter temperatures of less than 10 degrees celsius at night. The only solution in your climate would be to dig them up 2 months after blooming and then store them in a refrigerator or cool cellar for several months.

Is late November/early

Is late November/early December in northern Virginia (zone 6) too late to plant daffodil bulbs?

Not at all! You can continue

Not at all! You can continue to plant bulbs as long as the ground remains workable and unfrozen. I have planted tulips as late as February with success. Happy Planting!

did u get tulips that very

did u get tulips that very year ?? Coz I just planted them and really hope to see them this year!!

Due to circumstances beyond

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to move in December. I have daffodils that were my grandmother's that I want to take with us. What would be the best way to store them through the winter?

Dig them up before the ground

Dig them up before the ground freezes and plant in pots that you can then take with you when you move. Or, dig the bulbs and dry them before storing in a paper or mesh bag. Plant the bulbs next year at your new place.

I just planted my daffodil,in

I just planted my daffodil,in a pot,where should I keep it?On a windowsill or outisde?

The daffodils need to be in a

The daffodils need to be in a cool area. An unheated garage or shed is fine. If you put the pot outside cover it with mulch or leaves to protect it from frigid temps.

I just received an order of

I just received an order of 40+ daffodils that I cannot plant for awhile since I had unexpected knee surgery recently, how long will the bulbs keep and where should they be kept until such time as I can plant them?
Thank you

It's really best to store

It's really best to store them in the cold ground. However, if you must store them, hang them in a dry, cool place. You could put them in an onion bag or old pairs of pantyhose (knotted at the bottom) and hang in your garage until fall.

My dog ate a bulb and now he

My dog ate a bulb and now he is sick, will he b ok?

If you suspect your dog has

If you suspect your dog has ingested daffodils (particularly the bulbs), contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline for treatment recommendations. Here is a 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center hotline: 800-213-6680

I dug up some bulbs with the

I dug up some bulbs with the intention of replanting the same day, that was 2 days ago. Should I replant now or wait till late fall

As they have died down, it's

As they have died down, it's fine to dig them up and replant.

I have daffodills planted

I have daffodills planted around my light post. They are pretty much brown now and time to cut down. Can I plant some annuals in the same area around the post lamp for the summer?

If you want to plant some

If you want to plant some annuals in the same area as daffodil bulbs be sure to use only those that need little water as summer is the daffodils dormant period and too much water will lead to rot in the bulbs.

Sometimes do I see daffodils,

Sometimes do I see daffodils, after they've bloomed, folded over and tied. Is this proper procedure until they have turned yellow/brown and ready to cut back?

It is not a good idea to fold

It is not a good idea to fold and tie daffodils. According to Iowa cooperative services, "The daffodil foliage manufactures food for the plant. Adequate amounts of food must be stored in the bulbs in order for the daffodils to bloom the following spring. Tying the leaves together with rubber bands or braiding the foliage reduces the leaf area exposed to sunlight. As a result, the leaves manufacture smaller amounts of food. Plus, tying or braiding the foliage is a time-consuming chore. "

I had some daffodills in pot

I had some daffodills in pot that bloomed,I let them flower and I just dug them up and placed them in a cardboard box. If I plant them in the fl into the groub will they grow and bloom next spring?

Im pretty new to gardening

Im pretty new to gardening and moved into a home with a single daffodil plant in the garden. The daffodil seems to be growing like crazy but never bloomed this spring. It in a partially sunny area, next to a boxwood and the soil stays pretty moist where it is. Should I move it to a sunnier spot to encourage blooms?

Possible causes why your

Possible causes why your daffodil is not blooming include:

* it needs a sunnier spot (at least 6 hours sun is best)
* it has received too much nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of flowers
* it had been planted too late last fall
* it had been planted too deep
* it was under stress the previous fall, such as not having gotten enough water
* the previous owner cut the foliage too early last year, so that the bulb didn't store enough energy to both survive the winter and flower in spring; it's best to wait until the leaves have died back to cut them off.

If the daffodil still doesn't bloom next spring, try transplanting it to a sunnier site after the leaves have yellowed. Avoid planting near evergreens or trees with shallow roots. If necessary, the bulbs can be partially shaded by deciduous trees, as long as they get enough sunlight in spring, before the trees leaf out.

I planted a large pot of

I planted a large pot of daffodils last fall and they have been beautiful. Right now they are slowly dying. My question-do I need to take them out of the pot for the summer and let them oversummer in the garage or give them bonemeal and stay in the pot.
thanks.

daffodil bulbs out of the ground a year

my girlfriend gave me bulbs that she didn't plant last fall. what should I do, plant them now, put in fridge and plant them in the fall? please help.

daffodils in pots

I grew daffodils in pots last year which flowered beautifully, wintered them in the pots but hardly a flower this year- what should I do?

cutting the foliage after they have bloomed

I work at a retirement center and last year I planted over 100 daffodils in an area where they are showy to the public. It has been six weeks basically after they have bloomed and I cut the folage today so they could be mulched. Yes, the folage was still green,but the plant had seed bulbs. Will this keep them from blooming and growing next year.

Your daffodils should be OK

Your daffodils should be OK for next year. It is better to let the foliage turn brown before cutting the leaves off.

strange looking blooms

the flowers on most of my daffodil this year are all bunches of petals with no trumpet. What causes this and is there anything I can do to get them back to normal. They have been in the ground about 5 years and are due to be divided.

new plants

After the flower dies off, I see a small green bulb on some of the daffodil plants. Can i use it to make a new plant? If so, should i dry it out or plant it right away?

This is a seed pod that

This is a seed pod that sometimes contains one or more seeds, if the flower was pollinated. If you plant one of these seeds it will take years before the new plant flowers. It's much quicker to plant bulbs.

Daffodil

After my Daffodils bloom, it looks like a bulb is forming on the stem near the bloom. If I plant these will they grow?

Planting a flowering plant

Can I plant a potted daffodil that is in bloom outside? Will it continue to bloom and return next year? It will go in a sunny spot and we're in Rochester New York.

You can plant the daffodils

You can plant the daffodils outside and they will come back next spring.

no blooms

i have daffodils out in my back yard. each year now i have less and less blooms. this year i had none. is because they are too crowded> they are planted in a small circle.

Dig the bulbs in late summer

Dig the bulbs in late summer and amend the soil with some compost. Then replant the bulbs about 3 to 6 inches apart. Next spring add some bonemeal to the soil.

Will they get enough sun?

I had to dig up my daffodils. The previous location will now only get about 2 hrs of sun. Will that be enough? Otherwise I thought of planting them next to a large tree. They will get lots of sun in the spring but little to no sun once the leaves come in. Will they still thrive there? I have a fairly shady yard in the summer so there are very few planting options.

Plant them next to the tree.

Plant them next to the tree. The daffodils will be done blooming by the time the tree gets all its leaves.

I INHERITED DAFFODILS AND LITTLE BLUE FLOWERS

We bought a house and they are here. I just noticed them 2 days ago. I watered them with a water bottle in the sunlight. We don't have a hose connection here. I have no idea what I'm doing and I want them to thrive. What can I do?

If the soil is dry water the

If the soil is dry water the daffodils. They don't need much and will come back every year. Enjoy!

Daffodil

Wishing all daffodil lovers good growing!

potted daffodils

Hello,
I just bought a little pot with 5 flowering daffodils, small and yellow. But:
1. They look pretty tight in the pot and the bulbs are actually partly outside the soil. Is that good for the plants? Should I try to re-pot them in a larger container covering the bulbs, or leave them as they are for now?
2. I am keeping them indoors, next to a bright window (sunny all morning). Would that be OK or should I put them outside?
Thanks!

If the daffodils look OK

If the daffodils look OK leave them in the pot they came in. You can enjoy the flowers indoors and when the leaves have died back you can plant them outside for blooms next spring.

can I plant in spring?

I have bulbs I never had time to plant last fall. Can I plant them now, in April, with the hopes that they will bloom next spring? I am in PA

It's best to store the bulbs

It's best to store the bulbs and then plant them in the ground this fall.

Question for Almanac staff

Several years ago, before my parents left our home farm I removed several daffodils and transplanted in my yard while they were blooming. it has taken them several years, but now they are coming up and blooming and getting thicker each year. how do i thin them out? I would also like to thin out some tulips. Never done this before and I want to make sure I do it correctly. The daffodils are very special because they came from my father's farm. Thank you for your help!

It's normal to thin every 3

It's normal to thin every 3 to 5 years. To dig up bulbs: Wait until the foliage dies down in late spring as this means their cycle is over. Prune back the foliage to avoid disease. In the late summer/fall, dig up and replant the bulbs with wider spacing. Use a garden spade but do not dig up the bulb with the spade. Just loosen the soil around the bulb and then gently take out the bulb with your hands (which can be encased in gardening gloves!). Shake off the soil. Replant in a bed with organic matter and a small amount of fertilizer. Here is a page with more detail: http://extension.oregonstate.e...

planting already bloomed daffodils

I have a pot of bloomed daffodils, can I plant it outside with any chance of them continuing to grow or will they die off?

Once they bloom this year,

Once they bloom this year, they will not bloom again. You could either discard them or you could save the bulbs this way: After your flower finishes flowering, cut the flower stalks off and continue to water until the leaves are yellow. Then cut the leaves off and put the entire pot in a cool (50°F), dark place until August when you can plant the bulbs back in the ground (with fertilizer). The bulbs may not bloom the first year. Try it out to see!

plants to buy

Where can I buy smaller amounts to plant Narcissus and daffodils

a larger nursery or garden

a larger nursery or garden center will sell individual bulbs.

Daffodils in Phoenix

Hi,
I received some bulbs from my Mom who was growing them in Southern CA. My bulbs are growing but no blooms so far. When temps approach 100 plus degrees here in phoenix or when plant die down-what should I do with bulb? dig them up refridgerate for 6-8 weeks or leave in ground until sept then dig up to chill for 6-8 weeks then plant them after chill period?
thank you. Mingsing88@yahoo.com

daffodil planting

Most people near Phoenix treat daffodils as annuals; finding that the heat and lack of cool temperatures for the chilling requirement ruins them. But others have had luck with them in the ground for years. This could in part be due to the type of daffodil grown, as well as proper care. Some daffodils tolerate heat better than others, and may not require chilling. Provide mulch to help keep the ground cool in summer; keep up with the watering; and provide light shade after flowering.

You might also check with your county's Cooperative Extension for specific advice for your area. You can find their contact information at:

http://www.almanac.com/content...

Daffodils

The landscapers pulled up the plants as soon as they finished blooming. I rescued them today (march 18). I want to salvage the bulbs. What do I do now? Cut the tps off? Lay them out to dry? Replant (I live in south Texas)?store them in mesh bags, refrigerate, and plant in the fall?

Let the tops turn yellow

Let the tops turn yellow before you cut them off. Store the bulbs in a cool dry location over the summer. In the fall put them in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 months and then plant them outside for spring blooms next year.

first time

My bf dug up a daffodil root for me I planted it in a pot and watered it but besides that I'm unsure of what else to do I've never planted anything b4 but I want to b able to put it in my planter boxes in my yard so more will grow how should I proceed and take care of it?

Leave it in the pot for now

Leave it in the pot for now and see if it will bloom. Let it die back and then plant it in your planter box in the fall for spring bloom next year.

Daffodil and Tulips

I bought some daffodil and tulip plants that had already bloomed. We want to plant them in NE GA at our other house to bloom for next year. Do I continue to water them until the foliage dies, or stop watering now, live in N. Florida. I understand that I need to wait until the foliage dies then store in a cool place (basement) until fall then plant them.

Continue watering for about

Continue watering for about three weeks after blooming time. Then place in a cool spot.

Grannys daffodils

Yesterday, we traveled to Granny's old home place to discover the entire homeplace has been bulldozed. We rescued some of her daffodils that had miraculously came up. the flowers had been severed by the razing machine. I brought them home in a plastic bag and am unsure what to do with them. Should I plant them? Put them in the fridge? It is late Spring in Northern Louisiana. Temperature is now 60 degrees. We want to save the only remaining remnants of our beloved Granny! Please help!

daffodils' new home

We'd recommend planting them in the ground or in a pot as soon as possible. As long as the bulbs themselves were not damaged, the roots have been disturbed as little as possible (keeping as much of the original soil around the roots as you can is best), and the plants have (or form) enough leaves to make food, they should have a good chance of surviving. Plant in a well-drained, sunny area, and keep the transplants watered until they become established. Due to stress, the bulbs (especially of certain varieties) may not flower again for a year or two; be sure to mark where you planted them to keep track.

Although you didn't have much choice in this situation, in general, it is best to transplant daffodils after they have bloomed, or even better, after the leaves have died.

Good luck!

Daffodil

I just bought two pots of Daffodils containing 3-4 stems. One is blooming on each pot and there are flower buds on the other stems. Is it ok to plant these or leave them in the pot until they all bloom and die and plant in the fall? The temperature is 20-50 degrees - March 3, 2013.

blooming daffodils in pots

It is probably best to wait until the bulbs have finished flowering and the leaves have died before you plant the daffodils out in the garden. Once the temperatures are consistently above freezing, you can place the pots outside in a partly sunny, protected location to get the plants acclimated. (Gradually increase the amount of hours that they are outside each day, to avoid shock.) Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Once the leaves have died back, you can plant the bulbs in the ground in a sunny, well-drained location.

Blind Daffodils

Why have the daffodils I planted last year come up blind? What should I do with them, dig them up and discard or feed, or just hold on until next year when they should flower?? I don't know. Pse help.

Do you have only leaves and

Do you have only leaves and no flowers? If that is the case your bulbs may not have had the required cold temperatures they need to bloom. If you live in a warm climate dig the bulbs after the leaves die back and put them in a bag in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks. Then plant outside.

Is it too late?

I was given a starter pot today of Rip van Winkle daffodils that are already in bloom, would it hurt them to transplant them into a larger pot now? Or should I wait until they've died back into just a bulb?

If the daffodils are doing

If the daffodils are doing fine leave them in the starter pot and repot after the leaves have died back.

watering them once in the ground...

I got a beautiful pot of daffodils and they bloomed very nicely. The only problem is that I live in southern florida and we haven't had winter this year. I'm planing on putting the bulbs in the fridge like you suggested, but once I plant them in the ground, how should I water them? THANK YOU

Do not over water. Too much

Do not over water. Too much water will cause the bulbs to rot. Keep the soil moist. Good luck!

Daffodils

My son recently gave me potted daffodils. There were 3 blooms when I received them from him, but most of the ends of the leaves seemed to have a yellow tinge to them (my first thought was that they were bruised). Now the ends seem to be curling. Does this mean the beginning of new buds? I've seen gardens of daffodils, but never stopped to think how they become flowers. Can someone tell me if I have more flowers to come, or are they in fact bruised? Thank you.

You have bruised leaves and

You have bruised leaves and probably no more buds on the plant. The flower buds usually grow from the center of the plant. You'll see a stem with a bud on the top. Let the leaves die back and plant the bulb(s) in the ground this fall if you live in a cold climate area. If you live in the southern states you can put the bulbs in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks and then plant them in a pot or in the ground.

Thank you

Thanks for your response. I'll definitely save the plant & plant the bulbs in the autumn.

Daffodils going to be dumped

recently I visited my garden centre and they had a 25kg bag of daffodil bulbs I was told they were going to be dumped I offered to take them, I am planing to put them in pots as the are budding ,Will it work or am I wasting my timerossfarm6@yahoo.com

Not sure if you are going to

Not sure if you are going to get any blooms. It all depends on how the bulbs were kept. Daffodils need a cold resting period to produce blossoms. You can plant the bulbs in containers and see what happens. If they bloom great! You can plant the bulbs in the ground in the fall (if you live in a cold climate) and you will definitely have blooms next spring.

Miniature daffodils

I bought a box of these bulbs last fall, kept them in the fridge for 6 weeks, planted them very closely in a medium-size pot. When they came up and I could see the buds, I put them in a sunny south window where they continued to grow and to bloom out. They've now grown tall and are in full bloom, with more to come. Each large bulb must have 2 or 3 blossoms, the pot is in constant bloom. Only now, after 2 or 3 weeks of change, are the blooms starting to age and die. I'll carefully cut them off; I can see more buds coming.

I've had so much pleasure and beauty from this planting; I'll do it again.

I'm sending one of your daffodil cards as a Valentine. Thank you.

Basement daffodils

We just discovered daffodils growing in a pot in our basement. Turns out our daughter planted some that she found in the woods last year. They managed to get about 1-4 inches high without any sunlight or water. We've brought them upstairs and dribbled some water in the pot but have no idea what else to do. Should we plant them outside? Keep them in the pot until after they die back and then plant them in the fall? If we keep them in the pot, how often and how much should we water them? These are obviously super hardy but I want to give them a hand now that I know they are here. :)

Keep them in the pot in a

Keep them in the pot in a sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but not wet. The daffodils may bloom if the bulbs had a long enough rest in the basement. After they die back let the the bulbs dry out and plant them outdoors in the fall.

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How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Daffodils

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