How to grow Daffodil

Narcissus

After flowering, pull off the old flower head and developing seed pod, so the bulb conserves energy for next years flowers. Do not cut off the leaves until they shrivel naturally, the leaves are needed to make energy for the bulb and flowers for the following year
Split established clumps after a few years or if the bulbs do not flower well (grow ‘blind’ with leaves but no buds). Do this after the foliage begins to fade

Growing Daffodil from seed

It is possible to raise daffodils from seed but they may not flower like the parent plant. It also takes many years for the bulb to grow large enough to flower.
The easiest way to have more daffodils is to divide established clumps after the leaves begin to fade after flowering

Aim to sow 5.85 inches (15.0 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 3.9 inches (10.0 cm).

Transplanting Daffodil

Plant out in autumn, before the ground freezes. Daffodils are happy to grow through grass or be planted in a border or by a path.
Plant two or three bulbs in a close group. Also useful in pots and containers

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Daffodil is a hardy plant.

Harvesting Daffodil

Very pretty and long lived in a vase, picked are buds they will open in the vase
Toxic!

Seed Saving Daffodil

Not generally grown from seed, as it takes a bulb two or three years to form a flower. Easier from bulb of setts or dividing an established clump after flowering

How long does Daffodil take to grow?

These estimates for how long Daffodil takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Daffodil to germinate?
88 days

Average 88 days | Min 1 days | Max 207 days (36)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Daffodil?
+ 147 days

Average 147 days | Min 108 days | Max 233 days (2)

Days to Maturity How long until Daffodil is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 176 days

Average 176 days | Min 145 days | Max 223 days (22)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Daffodil?
= 411 days

Daffodil Etymology

Narcissus comes from greek ‘narks’ or numb, thought to be the effect of the plant sap

Daffodil Folklore & Trivia

It was thought that daffodils would stop hens laying eggs, so they were not popular with chicken keepers

Other names for Daffodil

Narcissus, Mini-daff, daffodil

Narcissus L.

Misspellings: Dafodil, Dafodill, Daffodill, Narcissi

Footnotes

1 http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants/daffodil.aspx


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