How to grow daffodils (Narcissus, Amaryllidaceae)? Solutions for when they won't bloom
The daffodil ranks tenth among China's top ten famous flowers and is the most popular plant in winter. Its flowers are not only beautiful but also give off a captivating fragrance. Grown at home, it creates a quiet and comfortable atmosphere that makes people feel calm and cozy. So, how do you grow daffodils? What should you do if they won't bloom?
1. Introduction to the daffodil!
1. Is the daffodil an aquatic plant?
The daffodil is not an aquatic plant. Although its roots can grow naturally when soaked in clean water, it also grows very well when planted in soil. It is simply that water culture makes it look fresher, which is why many people think it is an aquatic plant.
2. Is the daffodil the flower of garlic?
No. The daffodil is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Narcissus, family Amaryllidaceae, while garlic is a half-year herbaceous plant in the genus Allium, family Liliaceae. The daffodil's bulb resembles an onion and has no cloves; it has little smell, blooms when mature, but is not edible. Garlic's bulb has cloves, smells pungent, does not bloom when mature, but can be eaten.
2. How do you grow daffodils?
1. Propagation: usually by planting bulbs.
Daffodils are usually planted in September-October and can be grown in soil, sand or water. For soil culture, first fill a flower pot eight-tenths full with soil, plant the bulb in the soil, cover it with a layer of soil, water it well, and place it in a cool, airy spot to wait for sprouting. Sand culture is similar to soil culture, only using sand instead of soil. For water culture, first fill a shallow basin with water, then soak half of the bulb in the water with the side that will sprout facing up, and place it in a cool, airy spot to wait for sprouting.
2. Soil: fertile sandy soil.
Daffodils like fertile sandy soil with a pH between 5 and 7.5. It must not be heavy clay soil or gravelly ground; soil that is loose in texture, well structured and strongly water-retentive is best. If growing in sand or water, this issue does not need to be considered.
3. Temperature: keep it at around 10-15°C.
Daffodils like a warm environment, and keeping the temperature at around 10-15°C is best. If the temperature is low, you can replace the water in the basin with warm water at 12-15°C, or wrap the whole flower pot in plastic film to form a mini greenhouse. If the temperature is too high, you can add an appropriate amount of cold water to the basin.
4. Light: 6 hours of light per day.
The daffodil is a short-day plant, and 6 hours of light per day is enough. If there is not enough light, measures must be taken: you can use a 60-watt light and shine it at a distance of 40-50 cm from the flowers.
5. Water: different at each growth stage.
Daffodils have relatively high water requirements, and the amount of water needed differs at different growth stages. If growing in soil or sand, at the initial stage of bulb planting you only need to keep the soil moist; during the period of vigorous growth and development, water frequently; at maturity, the water requirement decreases accordingly. If growing in water, at the initial stage of bulb planting change the water once a day; during the period of vigorous growth and development, change the water once every three days; after flower buds form, change the water once a week.
6. Fertilizing: fertilize before blooming.
If growing in soil or sand, daffodils should be fertilized before blooming. It is recommended to use a special compound fertilizer for flowers available on the market. Do not fertilize while they are blooming, or it will affect the flowering period. When the temperature is below 15°C, you can skip fertilizing or fertilize less, so as not to affect normal growth and development. If growing in water, basically no fertilizing is needed.
7. Diseases: spray to prevent and control.
Daffodil diseases include bulb basal rot, large brown spot, leaf blight, nematode disease, aspergillosis and penicillium rot, which can be prevented and controlled by spraying.
3. What should you do if daffodils won't bloom?
1. When do daffodils bloom?
Daffodils generally bloom in winter and spring, that is, from December to March of the following year, and the blooming period lasts about 10 to 15 days. Under conditions of sufficient light and clean water, at a room temperature of 12-15°C, it takes about 40 days from soaking to blooming; at a room temperature of around 18°C, about 30 days; at a room temperature of 20°C, only 25 days. If the room temperature is controlled artificially, the blooming of daffodils can be advanced or delayed.
2. Reasons daffodils won't bloom and solutions
(1) It may be that a poor bulb is causing the daffodil not to bloom. Many flower lovers cannot tell when buying bulbs whether the bulb is from that year, or whether it is good or bad, but there is no need to worry; generally, after two to three years of care it will bloom.
(2) It may be that the growing time is unreasonable. The daffodil is a dormant flower; if it is grown during the period after Qingming (Tomb-Sweeping Day) and before Shuangjiang (Frost's Descent), it will not bloom, so simply avoid this period.
(3) It may be that the water is not changed, or not changed in time, which leads to the growth of bacteria. In mild cases this affects the plant's normal growth; in serious cases it causes the bulb to rot, ultimately affecting the daffodil's blooming. Therefore, change the water in time. If the bulb has already rotted, it is recommended to cut off the rotten part and carry out sterilization and disinfection treatment.
(4) It may be that the temperature and light are unreasonable. If there is not enough light but the temperature is on the high side, it will cause the plant to grow leggy, leading to few or even no flowers. Therefore, adjust the indoor temperature well and provide reasonable light, and the daffodil will naturally bloom.
The above are the growing methods for daffodils and the solutions for when they won't bloom. We hope they are useful to everyone.