How to Grow Narcissus? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Narcissus is a variety of daffodil, native to foreign countries, and introduced and cultivated in China in recent years; it is a plant with great ornamental value. Many people now want to grow narcissus, but during cultivation, many people, due to improper techniques, end up causing many problems with the narcissus they grow. So how should it be grown to ensure its growth?

How to Grow Narcissus

1. The growth habits of narcissus are actually quite interesting: in winter it likes a moist environment, while in summer it likes a dry and hot environment. So when growing narcissus, during its main growth period, it is necessary to keep the moisture sufficient.

2. Narcissus does not have a very high demand for light. Apart from needing sufficient light when the leaves are growing, when narcissus is blooming it needs to be kept in semi-shade.

3. Narcissus likes loose, fertile soil with good drainage; the soil is best if it is slightly alkaline soil rich in humus.

Narcissus Cultivation Methods and Precautions

I. Cultivation methods:

1. Narcissus is a temperate bulbous flower that likes a cool climate and dislikes high temperature and excessive moisture. The suitable growth temperature is about 10-15°C. Narcissus is not sensitive in its response to light. During the leaf growth period, sufficient light must be ensured, while during the flowering period, semi-shade is preferable. If narcissus is exposed to insufficient light for a long time during growth, it easily leads to elongated, soft, and drooping leaves, though this has little effect on flowering.

2. During the growth period, water once every two weeks with a dilute solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate; a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer may also be applied. The suitable growth temperature is 15—20°C. Different light intensity, humidity, and temperature can be used to regulate the flowering period, so as to achieve the goal of blooming exactly at Spring Festival.

II. Precautions:

After planting narcissus, the plant should be moved to a semi-shady place with about 50% sunlight for care, and the soil should be kept moist. After its leaf buds extend above the soil surface, move it to an environment with about 70—80% sunlight for management. The flowering period of narcissus can be regulated by adjusting different light, humidity, and temperature.

What to Do If Narcissus Leaves Become Soft

1. Sunlight control method. Ensure sufficient sunlight, place the narcissus outdoors in the sun or on a balcony, and at night move the narcissus from outdoors back indoors. In this way, the narcissus leaves can grow vigorously and will not produce lodging flowers.

2. Chemical control method. Pour 2% salt water into the flowerpot; this can control the excessive growth of narcissus, and in this way the flowering period of the narcissus is also relatively long. Quantitatively pouring chemical agents into the pot can better control the excessive growth of the leaves and control the plant height at about 15 cm.

Common Pests and Diseases of Narcissus and Their Control

1. Root rot. Control method: soak the roots in 0.1% mercuric chloride for about half an hour; if it is during the growth period of narcissus, spray 79% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 700 times dilution.

2. Fusarium disease. Control method: short-term storage of bulbs needs to be placed in a suitable temperature, humidity, and well-ventilated environment. When planting, infected bulbs must be picked out. If the temperature during bulb planting is above 14°C, a relatively broad crop rotation can be implemented.

3. Gray mold. Control method: it is best to plant narcissus bulbs immediately after obtaining them, or store them in a well-ventilated place. Avoid causing damage to narcissus bulbs, and bulbs that may be infected must be disinfected in time. When planting, it is suitable to choose a mixture of black peat soil and sand as the substrate, and press down the substrate, place the bulbs on top, then cover with a thin layer of coarse-grained river sand. After planting, subject the bulbs to cold treatment.

4. Pests of narcissus: aphids and red spider mites are the main pests of narcissus, and spraying 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution can effectively control them.

When growing narcissus, be sure to pay attention to its light. Although it likes light, shading treatment is needed during high summer temperatures. If the leaves of narcissus become soft during cultivation, first find out the cause, then solve the problem at its root.