Daffodils, scientific name daffodil, They are a whole genus of the Amaryllidaceae that has its origin in Europe and the Mediterranean basin, although some varieties are indigenous to Asia. These are plants that give large and very beautiful white or yellow flowers, very characteristic and valued for their showiness.
These are perennial species, which also have a high resistance and are affordable for beginner gardeners due to the little care they need. If you want to know more about when and how to plant daffodilskeep reading us in this EcologíaVerde article.
When to plant daffodils
The best time to plant daffodil bulbs is in the fall., especially around the month of October. In this way, the plant will flower between the end of winter and spring. In any case, the sowing time can be delayed or advanced up to a full month, depending on the needs and the weather.
In any case, if the climate is cold and there are frosts, you need your bulbs to have been planted for at least two weeks by the time they arrive, preferably four.
If you like bulbous plantswe recommend you discover more species that you could have at home in this other article about 15 bulb plants.
How to plant daffodils in a pot – step by step
If you want plant daffodils in a potfollow this simple step by step with tips:
- Get a bulb or several daffodil bulbs. When choosing the bulb, opt for the largest ones that you find available, and it is especially important that these are not soft to the touch. A soft bulb will most likely be diseased or rotten. In addition, it is also important not to purchase the bulbs until you go to plant them.
- Prepare a light substrate that provides good drainage. A mixture of coconut fiber, earthworm humus and peat in equal parts, with an addition of perlite, will be a great option.
- Prepare the container by disinfecting it, especially if it is not new, and filling it with substrate. The pot should be about 30 cm deep or more, since the roots of these plants can develop vertically. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
- Fill the container to half its depth with the mixture and plant the bulbs.
- You can plant them separately in different pots, but it is common to place several bulbs in each one. Arrange them around the perimeter of the container, close but not touching, making sure the points are facing up. Bury the larger bulbs deeper, and the smaller ones shallower but respecting the position of the others.
- Cover the bulbs with soil completely, leaving several inches above, and water.
- Move the pot to a lighted place where it will not receive direct sun once the leaves appear above the substrate.
- Water again every time the soil dries out.
How to plant daffodils in soil – step by step
Planting bulbs outdoors is not very different from planting them in a pot, although, for obvious reasons, the choice of location is much more important. follow these steps to plant daffodils in ground or outside:
- Choose an illuminated spot to place the daffodils, which receives many hours of sunlight per day but is protected from the hours of greatest incidence, if you live in an area with very strong sun. Also, look at the drainage that the soil offers. If when watering or raining the water filters quickly, it is a good location. If, on the other hand, it becomes waterlogged, you should not plant your bulbs there because they will rot.
- As in the pot, plant the daffodil bulbs preferably in groups, with the larger ones deeper than the smaller ones, and ensuring that the tips of all of them are at least a few centimeters below the surface.
- After sowing, water abundantly and do it again every time the soil is dry. You will see that the bulbs are sprouting and the daffodils grow as the days go by.
Basic Daffodil Care
These are the basic guidelines to follow when take care of daffodils:
- Light: The daffodil will always appreciate being in a location that is as lit as possible, although away from the direct, intense sun. Despite this, it also has the ability to flourish in semi-shade conditions.
- Climate: The ideal temperature for daffodils to flower is between 16ºC and 20ºC during the day. When planting the bulbs, do so at least two weeks before the first frosts.
- Irrigation: In the warm months, it is important to keep the soil with a certain degree of humidity at all times, although you should never flood it.
- Land: Precisely because the daffodil needs the soil to be usually moist, it needs the soil or substrate in which it is planted to offer great drainage. The bulbs do not tolerate waterlogging, and excess moisture could cause rot.
- Pass: In order for the flowers to develop as well as possible, it is advisable to apply a fertilizer with a high potassium content during the hot months.
- Pruning: Note that you can cut the flower off the plant, but this will weaken the bulb considerably, so be careful not to overdo it. When you go to practice pruning after flowering, wait for the aerial part of the plant to dry completely. It is best to wait until May or June.
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